Short answer

Patek Philippe has never made a Nautilus 6790. The real Nautilus lineup runs on references like 5711, 5712, 5726, 5980, 5990 and 5740. So when a seller advertises a “fake Patek Philippe Nautilus 6790,” the number is a marketing label, not a spec sheet. It usually points to a replica of the 5711 or of the 5990 chronograph, and the quality depends on which factory built the watch, not on the digits in the title.

That matters, because the number is often the only thing a buyer sees. If you are shopping for a replica Nautilus, judge the watch on case profile, dial print, bracelet finish and movement. The reference in the ad tells you almost nothing.

Why “6790” keeps showing up

Search enough listings and a pattern appears. Sellers invent numbers for two reasons. A made-up reference slips past trademark filters on marketplaces. It also makes a product sound exclusive, as if it were a limited piece. Some listings pair “6790” with phrases like “Swiss AAA” or “super clone,” which are marketing tiers, not certifications.

If a watch carries a number that does not exist in Patek's own catalog, treat that as a small warning about how carefully the rest of the listing was written.

Real Nautilus references, for comparison

  • 5711/1A: time and date, 40 mm steel case, roughly 8.3 mm thick.
  • 5712/1A: date, power reserve and moonphase, micro-rotor movement.
  • 5726/1A: annual calendar with moonphase.
  • 5980/1A and 5990/1A: flyback chronograph. The 5990 adds a GMT function and a thicker case, around 12.5 mm.
  • 5740/1G: perpetual calendar in white gold.
  • 7010 and 7118: smaller cases built for women.

What separates a solid replica from a throwaway

The gap between a $120 replica and a $600 replica is not the logo. It is the details you can measure.

  • Case thickness. The 5711 is a thin watch. Plenty of cheap replicas sit at 10 mm or more because they use an off-the-shelf automatic movement. A correct profile is the first thing to check.
  • Bracelet. Look at the taper from the case to the clasp and at how the links articulate. Sharp edges and loose pivots show up in the hand, not in photos.
  • Dial. The blue should shift with light instead of sitting flat. Date window position, font and print thickness are the usual giveaways.
  • Movement. Miyota-based builds are reliable and cheap to service. Decorated clone movements look closer to a 26-330 or 240 caliber, but they cost more and can be hard to repair.
  • Caseback. Engraving depth, font and serial placement are easy to compare against owner photos.

Red flags in a listing

  • No side-profile photo. Thickness is where most replicas fail.
  • No movement photo, or a stock image reused across several stores.
  • Claims of genuine Swiss parts at a low price.
  • Water resistance claims with no testing note. Submersion is a real risk on any replica.
  • Pressure to pay outside the platform.

Price tiers, roughly

Entry builds run about $80 to $150. They hold the look at arm's length. Mid-tier builds at $250 to $400 get the case profile and bracelet right, and often use a better dial. Top-tier builds at $500 and up put money into the movement, the finishing and quality control. Past that point you are paying for diminishing returns.

Before you commit

  1. Ask for a video of the second hand sweeping and the date changing at midnight.
  2. Request caliper measurements of case diameter and thickness.
  3. Compare photos against real owner shots, not the seller's renderings.
  4. Confirm the return policy in writing.

Practical and legal notes

A replica cannot be serviced by Patek Philippe, carries no factory warranty, and holds no resale value as a genuine piece. Passing one off as real is fraud, and that includes describing it that way in a listing. US customs can seize counterfeit goods, and a shipment can disappear that way. Go in with those facts on the table rather than after.

FAQ

Is there a real Patek Philippe 6790?

No. Patek's Nautilus line uses references such as 5711, 5712, 5726, 5980, 5990 and 5740. A “6790” in a listing is a seller's label.

Which Nautilus gets copied most?

The 5711/1A in blue steel. It was the most recognizable model in the line, and its discontinuation pushed prices up and made replicas more tempting.

Can I spot a replica from photos?

Often, yes. Case thickness, date font, bracelet taper and caseback engraving are all checkable from decent photos. A blurry listing photo is itself a reason to walk away.