The short answer
"Patek Philippe 720" is not a Patek Philippe reference number. Patek reference numbers use four digits plus a suffix and material code, such as 5711/1A-010 or 4947/1A. Sellers on Chinese marketplaces use short codes like 720 as internal listing labels, factory tags, or search bait. The same code can point to different watches on different sites. No factory code is official, and no public registry confirms one.
A fake Patek Philippe 720 is therefore a replica watch marketed under a made-up label. It is not a Patek Philippe product. Patek Philippe does not sell through these channels.
What the number usually points to
Replica listings reuse numbers from real catalogs. Common targets include the Nautilus 5711, the Aquanaut 5167A, and the Calatrava line. A code like 720 often maps to a Calatrava-style dress watch with a small seconds subdial or a date at 3 o'clock. Confirm the source before trusting any mapping. Listing codes change without notice.
Price bands
- Entry replicas: $80 to $200. Plated brass or low-grade steel, quartz or basic automatic movement.
- Mid tier: $250 to $500. 316L steel case, cloned automatic movement, mineral or sapphire crystal.
- Top tier: $600 to $1,200. 904L steel case, decorated movement, sapphire crystal, closer case proportions.
Genuine Patek Philippe watches retail from about $25,000 and up. Steel Nautilus references trade above retail on the secondary market. The price gap is the main tell.
US law and import
Importing goods that carry a counterfeit trademark is prohibited under 19 U.S.C. § 1305. US Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy the shipment. The buyer normally loses the money. Reselling counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, with penalties up to 10 years in prison for a first offense and fines up to $2 million for an individual.
Watches and jewelry rank among the top categories by value in CBP intellectual property seizure reports. Small parcels from China are screened. A single watch can be detained even when the buyer ordered it for personal use.
How to inspect a watch in hand
- Check the movement. Patek Philippe uses in-house movements. Many carry the Geneva Seal. A generic rotor or an undecorated Asian movement rules out a genuine example.
- Check the caseback. Genuine references have crisp engraving, correct reference and serial numbers, and consistent font weight.
- Check the case metal. Patek uses gold, platinum, or steel with specific finishes. Plating wears at the lugs and crown.
- Check the dial. Print edges, applied markers, and hand finish are done to a jeweler's standard. Replicas show soft edges under 10x magnification.
- Check service records. Patek Philippe service centers do not service counterfeits and will not return them.
Repair and resale
Independent watchmakers can sometimes service a replica, but parts are not standardized. A movement swap costs more than the watch. Pawn shops, auction houses, and dealers refuse replicas. Resale value is near zero.
Unknowns
No reliable data exists on which factory uses the code 720, or on total replica production volume. Patek Philippe does not publish figures on counterfeits seized. Treat any claim about a specific "720 factory" as unverified.