Fake Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time Review: Is the 5164A Super Clone Worth It?
The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time 5164A is arguably the ultimate jet-setter’s watch. It is sporty, incredibly comfortable, and features one of the most practical complications in modern horology: a dual time zone display with local and home day/night indicators. However, with retail availability being virtually non-existent and grey market prices soaring well past the $60,000 mark, watch enthusiasts are increasingly turning their attention to the super clone market.
But replicating a standard three-hand watch is one thing; cloning a highly complex travel complication is entirely another. Today, we are diving deep into a hands-on review of the 1:1 Aquanaut Travel Time super clone—specifically focusing on the masterclass iteration produced by the renowned ZF Factory—to see if it actually lives up to the hype.
The Elephant in the Room: Mastering the Travel Time Complication
Let’s start with the heart of the watch. In cheap, street-market AAA replicas, the extra skeletonized GMT hand is either glued in place or slaved to the main hour hand, and the day/night indicator windows are completely painted over. They are strictly decorative.
ZF Factory changed the game by heavily modifying a reliable base movement to create a highly accurate Calibre 324 S C FUS clone. The mechanics here are genuinely impressive. Just like the authentic Patek, the two pushers on the left side of the case actually work. Pressing the bottom pusher jumps the solid local hour hand forward by one hour, while the top pusher jumps it backward. Meanwhile, the skeletonized "home" time hand remains stationary. When you aren't traveling, the solid hand completely hides the skeletonized hand beneath it. Furthermore, the small circular apertures on the dial flawlessly transition between white (day) and dark blue (night) to indicate the time status in both zones.
Dial Aesthetics and Case Geometry
Visually, the 5164A is a stunner, and the ZF super clone captures the magic beautifully. The dial features that iconic embossed checkerboard pattern. On lower-tier fakes, these grooves are too deep or entirely flat. ZF has nailed the subtle curvature of the dial embossing, allowing it to play with light in that distinct, slightly metallic grey-black tone.
The case sits at a highly wearable 40.8mm. The brushing on the bezel is perfectly uniform, seamlessly contrasted by the high-polish chamfered edges. While the genuine article sits at a remarkably thin 10.2mm, the ZF clone comes in at roughly 10.6mm. This 0.4mm difference is microscopically negligible on the wrist and is a necessary compromise to house the complex jumping-hour mechanism inside.
The Tropical Strap and Calatrava Clasp
You cannot review an Aquanaut without discussing the "Tropical" composite strap. Patek engineered their strap to resist UV radiation and saltwater, ensuring it never fades or cracks. The 1:1 clone strap feels exceptionally premium—it is supple, smells neutral (unlike cheap rubber fakes), and integrates flawlessly into the case lugs without any gaps.
A quick word to the wise: sizing this watch requires you to physically cut the rubber strap to your exact wrist size, exactly like the genuine retail process. Once cut, it is secured by the double-folding stainless steel clasp, prominently featuring a deeply engraved Calatrava cross that snaps shut with a reassuring, high-quality click.
Buying Securely: The Ultimate Trust Signal
Acquiring a highly specialized super clone like the ZF Aquanaut requires navigating a market flooded with bait-and-switch scams. Many sellers display photos of the ZF factory model but ship a standard AAA fake once you wire the funds.
To completely eliminate buyer risk, establishing trust is paramount. The only truly secure way to purchase a high-end luxury clone is through a supplier that offers secured shipment with absolutely zero advance payment required. This acts as the ultimate trust signal. Whether the package is being delivered to a high-rise in New York, a corporate office in London, or a residence in California, the ability to receive the watch first—and only hand over your payment once it safely arrives at your doorstep—is non-negotiable for a premium buying experience.
Final Verdict
Is the Fake Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164A worth the investment? If you are purchasing the ZF factory iteration, the answer is a resounding yes. It bridges the gap between aesthetic replication and actual mechanical functionality. By successfully cloning the jumping hour hands and day/night indicators, it offers a near-authentic luxury travel experience at a fraction of the cost, making it one of the most impressive super clones currently available on the market.