A fake Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5320G is a counterfeit watch that copies the look of a platinum perpetual calendar launched in 2017. No replica reproduces the genuine 324 S Q movement or its 1461-day perpetual calendar, so every copy fails checks on metal, dial finish, movement decoration, and calendar behavior. Anyone who handles a real 5320G next to a copy can tell the difference in under a minute.
What is the genuine Patek Philippe 5320G?
The 5320G is a self-winding perpetual calendar in platinum, released in 2017 and sold as a regular production model. The case measures 39 mm across and about 11 mm thick, with a stepped bezel and lugs that echo Patek watches from the 1940s and 1950s. Reference 5320G-001 uses a cream lacquer dial with applied gold numerals and syringe-shaped hands.
- Case: platinum, 39 mm, sapphire crystal front and display back
- Movement: calibre 324 S Q, self-winding, perpetual calendar
- Displays: day, date, month, leap year and moon phase
- Finishing: Patek Philippe Seal, hand-finished bridges, 21K gold rotor
- Hallmark: Pt950 stamp on the case
Patek publishes full specifications for each reference on its own site, so any claimed 5320G can be measured against the factory numbers.
How can you tell a fake 5320G from the real thing?
Most fakes give themselves away in the same five places. Work through them in order, starting with the case and ending with the paperwork.
Case metal and weight
Platinum is dense, and a 39 mm platinum case feels heavy in the hand compared with steel or gold. Fakes often use stainless steel with a rhodium plating, so the watch feels light and the metal reads grey rather than white. Genuine 5320G cases carry a Pt950 hallmark that is stamped deep and clean, not etched on the surface.
Dial and printing
The cream lacquer dial has depth, and the printed text sits under the lacquer rather than on top of it. Fakes show flat paint, blurry lettering, and applied numerals glued on with visible gaps. Check the moon phase disc too: the real one carries a detailed moon face and stars on a deep blue ground.
Movement through the display back
The sapphire case back makes the movement the fastest place to catch a fake. A real 324 S Q shows Geneva stripes, polished bevels, circular graining, and a 21K gold rotor with the Patek Philippe logo engraved and filled. Replicas use stock Chinese or Japanese movements with stamped plates, painted screws, and a rotor that is not gold.
Calendar behavior
A true perpetual calendar tracks leap years and needs no date correction until 2100. Copies use a simple date wheel or an annual calendar module, so the day, month, and moon phase fall out of step within weeks. Set a suspect watch to February 28 in a leap year and advance the day: a real 5320G moves to February 29, a fake moves to March 1.
Papers, serials and history
Every 5320G leaves the factory with a certificate and a movement serial plus case serial that match. Fakes arrive with printed cards, numbers that do not match, or no numbers at all. Patek can confirm a reference and production date through an Extract from the Archives.
Why is the perpetual calendar so hard to copy?
A perpetual calendar movement holds a mechanical program for 1461 days, including a leap year cam and correctors for the day, date, month, moon phase, and leap year. Building that program inside a case under 12 mm thick takes years of design work and hundreds of hand-finished parts. Copyists match the dial layout in a week. The mechanism underneath is the part they skip, because a genuine perpetual calendar module costs more than a complete fake watch.
What are the legal risks of buying a counterfeit Patek Philippe?
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import, sell, or traffic in the United States. Buying one from an overseas seller exposes you to seizure at the border, with no refund and no claim against the seller. Reselling a fake is a separate offense, and trademark owners can pursue civil claims under federal law.
- Import: U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit goods and destroy them
- Criminal: trafficking in counterfeit goods carries fines and prison terms under 18 U.S.C. § 2320
- Civil: trademark owners can sue sellers, and buyers who resell can be named
- Practical: counterfeit watches have no warranty, no parts support, and no resale value
How should you verify a 5320G before you buy?
- Buy from an authorized dealer, or from a dealer with a verifiable track record and references you can call
- Ask for the certificate, the original invoice, and the movement and case serial numbers
- Request high-resolution photos of the dial, case back, hallmarks, and movement
- Order an Extract from the Archives from Patek Philippe to confirm the reference and production year
- Have the watch inspected by an authorized service center or a qualified watchmaker before money changes hands
- Pay with a method that allows a chargeback, and keep every message and receipt
If a seller refuses any of these steps, treat the watch as counterfeit and walk away.
Frequently asked questions
Does a fake 5320G ever use a real perpetual calendar movement?
No. A genuine perpetual calendar module from a Swiss maker costs more than the asking price of most fakes, so replicas use simple calendar modules with printed dials layered on top.
How much does a real 5320G cost?
Genuine 5320G watches trade in the six-figure range on the secondary market, with prices set by condition, box and papers, and dial variant. Fakes sell for a few hundred dollars, which tells you nothing about the movement inside.
Can a jeweler tell a fake 5320G on sight?
A trained watchmaker can spot most fakes in minutes with a loupe and a case back opener. The platinum hallmark, the dial lacquer, and the movement finish are the fastest tells.
Is it legal to own a counterfeit watch in the US?
Owning a counterfeit watch is not a crime by itself in most cases, but importing it, selling it, or using it to deceive a buyer is illegal. The practical cost is that Patek will not service the watch, and it holds no resale value.