Nautilus (modern steel)

Original: Horizontal embossed stripe texture is produced during the dial manufacturing process. The embossing is raised and genuinely tactile -- running a fingernail lightly across the dial produces a perceptible corrugated feel across each stripe. The stripes are genuinely three-dimensional: each ridge casts a micro-shadow on its lower edge under directional light. The sunburst finishing should have directional depth visible as the watch is tilted. "Patek Philippe" and "Geneve" are applied text pieces -- separate from the dial surface, raised, and cast distinct shadows. On a genuine 5711, any line of the embossed text appears to float above the dial when viewed from the side.

• Flat "Patek Philippe" text that does not cast a shadow -- indicates printing rather than applied text
• Embossing that fades or becomes less defined near the hour markers or dial edges -- genuine embossing maintains consistent depth across the full dial field including near the indices
• Horizontal stripes that appear flat or printed rather than producing a tactile corrugated surface -- the most reliable single tell without magnification
• Under-dial printing visible as any text that appears to be part of the dial surface rather than sitting above it
• Olive green dial that is incorrect for a blue-dial case (dial swaps from less desirable to more desirable variants occur)
• Graduated blue-grey sunburst without the directional depth shift when the watch is tilted under a single light source -- genuine dials shift from darker near the center to lighter toward the edges as the angle changes

Original: Dauphine hands are finished across multiple planes. Each face and each beveled edge has its own distinct mirror finish. The finished planes are visible as the watch is tilted in light.

• Hands with a single flat plane of polishing -- service replacement hands are often finished to a lesser standard than original manufacture
• Bevel edges on the hands that are rounded rather than sharply defined
• Lume color on the hands inconsistent with the dial indices (both should be consistent cream-to-white)
• Hand tips that are not correctly tapered for the Nautilus specification

Original: Fluted crown with a specific fine-milling pattern. The fluting is fine and regular, not broad.

• Smooth crown without the correct fine fluting -- smooth crowns are service replacements
• Crown diameter that is too large or too small relative to the case tube
• Crown engraving or finish that differs from production standard

Original: Integrated folded-link bracelet with center links brushed lengthwise and outer links polished. Bracelet tapers toward the butterfly deployment clasp. "PP" on the clasp in the Patek typeface.

• Center links with horizontal brushing instead of lengthwise (the brushing direction is specific)
• Bracelet that does not taper -- it should narrow perceptibly from case to clasp
• Clasp typography that is not correct Patek -- the "PP" letters have specific proportions
• Aftermarket Nautilus-style bracelet that lacks the correct link fold geometry

Original: The bezel carries 8 horizontally oriented screws at equal spacing. The screws are decorative, not functional, and sit recessed into the bezel surface. All eight screw heads share identical geometry, depth, and slot orientation.

• Screw heads that protrude above the bezel surface rather than sitting flush or slightly recessed
• Screw slot orientation that varies between screws -- some horizontal, some diagonal
• Screw head geometry that varies between positions, with one appearing wider or shallower than its neighbors
• A bezel screw count that is not exactly 8

• Exhibition sapphire caseback displaying Cal. 324 S C
• "Patek Philippe" and "Geneve" engraved on the movement plate visible through caseback
• Reference 5711/1A and serial number on the case flanks
• Case serial is on the case flank at 6 o'clock, not on the caseback itself
• Movement serial visible on the movement through the exhibition caseback