The replica battlefield of Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 has never stopped. From the first batch of PF and PPF to test the water, to later 3K and BBF, each manufacturer showed its magic. For the sake of the gap of a few tenths of a millimeter and the depth of blue on the disk, almost all the areas that could compete were rolled out to the extreme. Recently, the DDF factory entered the market with a brand new model 5711, equipped with the Dandong 324 integrated movement known as the “magic machine”. Is this operation the real thing or a marketing gimmick? After I got the real thing, I played with it carefully for a few days. Today I will talk about the real performance of this watch.
Details of the board: Blue can “breathe” which is the real skill
When I first got it, it didn’t look particularly amazing when viewed under normal light. But when you tilt the dial slightly and let the light sweep from the side, wonderful changes appear. The “delicate changes under different lights” mentioned in DDF’s promotion are really not bragging. This kind of blue is not a rigid printing color, but flows on the disk according to the angle of the light.
Especially when strong light is irradiated from the side, the bottom of the iconic horizontal embossed stripe grooves on the disk will have a delicate metallic luster, and the layering will suddenly appear. In jargon, this disk is “alive”, as if it is breathing with the light.
I used the eyepiece to carefully look at the bottom of the grooves with the horizontal stripes on the dial. This is actually the place where the secret is most likely to be exposed. Many products from small factories will have burrs here, or “cloak” phenomenon will appear due to uneven oil pressure, making them look dirty. However, the DDF treatment is quite clean this time, with clear groove bottom and sharp edges. This level of control over the hydraulic process directly determines the spiritual outlook of the entire watch.
Case polishing: The neglected “round R position” is the real skill
If the dial is the face of a nautilus, then the lines of the case are its skeleton. The Nautilus is difficult to make. The most difficult thing is not the rounded octagonal bezel, but the seemingly simple line transition of the lugs, but in fact it is extremely difficult to make.
What impressed me most about DDF this time was that they nailed an extremely tricky detail: the “circular R position” with four smooth edges at the lugs. This concept sounds very professional, but you can actually understand it by touching it with your hands. When most replica factories make watch lugs, they only focus on making the brushing on the surface delicate, but ignore the four polished and chamfered arcs on the side. If it is not done well, it will feel like an unedged knife, which will be stiff and even cut your hands.
However, the four smooth edges of DDF are arc-shaped transitions that completely follow the natural arc of the ear. The fingers feel as smooth as touching a piece of warm jade, with no feeling of blockage at all. This kind of curved smooth edge requires a very experienced master to accurately control the strength and angle when polishing. If you are not careful, it will be ground into a flat surface and lose the smooth curves.
Coupled with the bright polishing treatment on the pillow edges at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, the contrast between light and dark on the entire watch case is instantly widened. On the same piece of steel, it is necessary to make both delicate matte brushing and mirror-like high-gloss polishing, and the boundaries are clear and do not corrode each other. This very tests the craftsmanship and patience of the master.
Looking at the strap again, DDF’s “sand pattern” treatment this time is also worthy of praise. The drawing lines of each link are straight and consistent in depth, without the kind of broken lines caused by rush work. Especially the diamond bead in the middle, the facets are very sharp. When the light hits it, each small facet reflects independently, instead of just a bulging arc like the lower version, giving it a full three-dimensional effect.
Movement performance: What is the strength of the “complete body” of Dandong 324?
For a see-through watch like the 5711, the movement is its soul. No matter how similar the appearance is, if it turns over and shows its timidity, then all the previous efforts will be wasted. This time DDF chose the currently recognized Dandong 324 open mold integrated movement. This choice was expected, but the performance was a bit surprising.
Why is this movement so praised? There is only one core reason: thickness. It can control the thickness of the entire watch to about 8.3mm, which is almost the same as the original version. This is decisive for wearing comfort and visual restoration. You know, many replica watches have poor control over the thickness of the movement, causing the entire watch to be thicker, and the secret is exposed when you get started.
Through the sapphire case back, the visual effect of this movement is truly stunning. First of all, the polishing of the automatic rotor has been comprehensively upgraded. DDF emphasizes that the bottom pattern of the automatic rotor is fine according to the first line of the new version, and the leaf pattern is exquisitely carved. Compared with the old version, this time the carvings are deeper and more three-dimensional. They are no longer the shallow carvings floating on the surface, with clear layers of light and shadow.
The engraving and double P mark on the movement splint use deep engraving technology, not cheap laser engraving. Under a magnifying glass, the texture of metal cutting is completely different, it is no longer a blur of laser marking. Friends who have played replica watches know that some versions of the automatic rotor are too light, resulting in low winding efficiency and the embarrassment of “wearing it during the day and stopping it at night”.
The weight of the automatic rotor of this DDF movement has obviously been precisely calculated. You can feel the smooth rotation of the rotor when you hold it in your hand. It has abundant energy storage and stable running time. The actual measurement of the female model 7118 by some watch friends also confirmed this. After wearing it for 14 consecutive days, the daily error was basically within ±5 seconds, which is more accurate than many Swiss entry-level mechanical watches.
Real wearing experience: balance of comfort and details
After actually wearing it for a few days, the overall feeling is quite satisfactory. The thickness of 8.3mm is indeed well controlled, it won’t look bloated when worn on the wrist, and the cuffs can be moved in and out smoothly. The rubber strap has moderate softness and fits the wrist without feeling oppressive when worn for a long time.
However, we should also objectively mention a few points that need attention. Although the electroplating process is good, it is not solid gold after all, and you should avoid violent collision with hard objects when wearing it in daily wear. Although the timing function is complete, it is recommended to reduce high-frequency use. After all, there is still a gap between the durability of the replica movement and the original version.
Summary: Is DDF Factory 5711 worth buying?
After several days of actual testing, my conclusion is: this 5711 from DDF factory has indeed demonstrated the strength of the first echelon. The persistence in the radian of the lug circle and the details of the automatic rotor make it a very competitive player in the current Nautilus replica camp.
From the control of the light and shadow texture on the disk, to the delicate polishing of the case, to the visual restoration of the movement, this version of DDF has achieved a very high level. It may not be 100% perfect, but in the same price range, it is definitely in the first echelon.
Today’s replica market is no longer the shoddy one it was in those days. After 3K and BBF made efforts one after another, DDF entered the game with this 5711, which was obviously well prepared. For those who want to buy a Nautilus replica, this version of DDF is definitely worth considering.
Playing with watches is all about paying attention to details. DDF’s performance this time at least proves that they understand watches and are willing to work on details. As for which one you choose in the end, it still depends on your personal budget and preferences. But one thing is certain: this 5711 from the DDF factory is definitely worthy of the evaluation of “serious work”.