Short answer

Patek Philippe does not catalog an Aquanaut reference 5167G. Patek reference codes end with a letter for the case metal: A for stainless steel, R for rose gold, G for white gold, J for yellow gold, P for platinum. The Aquanaut 5167 family in the Patek catalog holds the steel 5167A-001 and the rose gold 5167R-001. A listing for a fake Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167G is a replica of one of those two watches with a white metal finish, or a seller label with no matching factory reference.

Genuine 5167 numbers

The 5167A-001 arrived in 2007 as the second Aquanaut generation. Case diameter is 40.8 mm. Thickness is about 8.5 mm. Water resistance is 120 m. The movement is calibre 324 S C, an automatic with a 21,600 vph balance and a power reserve of 45 hours. The dial is black with an embossed pattern. The strap is a black composite Patek calls Tropical, cut to 21 mm at the lugs. The 5167R-001 uses the same case size in rose gold with a brown dial and a gold clasp. Patek added a steel bracelet version under the 5167/1A code.

Why 5167G shows up in replica listings

Three causes. Some sellers relabel a steel replica as white gold to raise the price. Some replica cases get a rhodium plate over steel and the seller calls that white gold. Some listings copy a code from a different reference. No 5167 left the Patek factory in white gold. Ask the seller for the full reference on the case back and for the metal stamp inside the clasp.

Checks on a replica 5167

  • Case thickness. Genuine is 8.5 mm. Many replicas measure 9.5 mm to 11.5 mm because the movement spacer adds height.
  • Movement. Miyota 9015 and Sellita SW200 builds run at 21,600 and 28,800 vph. A decorated 324 S C plate has no Patek finishing under it.
  • Dial embossing. The genuine pattern is cut into the dial, not printed. Replicas show a flat or glossy surface.
  • Date window. The genuine aperture is a rounded square at 3 o'clock with a matched date font.
  • Case back. Engraving depth, reference lines and the movement number layout differ from the factory stamp.
  • Strap. Composite hardness, stitching and clasp engraving.
  • Water resistance. Sellers list 30 m or 50 m. Gaskets and crown seals are not built for the 120 m rating of the genuine watch.

Price bands

Replica 5167 listings sit in three bands. Entry builds with a Miyota or a Chinese automatic run $80 to $200. Mid builds with a Swiss ETA clone and a decorated rotor run $250 to $500. High builds with cloned movement plates, sapphire crystal and hand-finished cases run $600 to $1,200. Prices above that band buy a different watch, not a better replica.

Legal note

In the United States, trafficking in counterfeit goods falls under 18 U.S.C. 2320. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine for an individual. Customs can seize counterfeit watches at import. Most replica sellers ship from outside the US, so a buyer carries the risk of seizure and gets no manufacturer warranty.

What is not known

No Patek catalog entry, auction record or factory document for a white gold 5167 exists. A 5167G certificate shown by a seller does not come from Patek. Compare the reference on the case back with the reference list published by Patek. Prices for genuine 5167A-001 examples come from auction house results; check the latest sale data before you compare a replica price.