The fake Patek Philippe Aviator Travel Time is a replica of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, a 42mm pilot watch with a second time zone hand, two day/night apertures, and pushers that jump the local hour hand. A strong replica copies that whole layout, not just the shape of the case. Cheap copies look close in photos but leave the travel time function decorative instead of usable.
What the Original Design Does
The reference most replicas follow, the 5524 style, takes its cues from 1930s cockpit instruments: a wide dial, large applied numerals with luminous fill, and a narrow bezel that leaves room for the face. The case measures 42mm across, the crown sits at 3 o'clock, and two rectangular pushers sit on the left flank at 8 and 10 o'clock. One pusher advances the local hour hand, the other moves it back one hour per press. The Home time hand keeps running on its own, so both zones stay readable at a glance.
Two small apertures on the dial work as day/night indicators, one for each zone. The minute hand and the seconds hand serve both readings at once. That is the point of a travel time watch, and it is the first thing to test on any replica you consider.
Some wholesalers list this model as the Aviator Travel Time, others as the Pilot Travel Time or the 5524 style. The names point to the same watch family, so confirm the actual photos before you compare prices.
Movement Tiers You Will Meet
- High grade clone automatic. A Swiss style automatic with a working local time jump, a decorated rotor, and a balance running near 28,800 vibrations per hour. The Home time hand moves independently when you use the pushers. This is the tier that behaves like the original.
- Modified Asian automatic. Usually built on a common base such as a 2824 pattern with an added 24 hour hand. It runs fine, but on many examples the second time zone is linked to the main time, so you cannot set the two zones apart.
- Quartz. Thin, light, and accurate for basic timekeeping. The pushers are often cosmetic and the second zone is set with a separate crown position or not at all. It photographs well and feels hollow in the hand.
Case, Crystal, and Dial Checks
Finishing tells you more than any spec sheet. Work through these points before you commit to an order:
- The crystal should be sapphire with anti reflective coating, and it should look nearly invisible from a slight angle instead of milky.
- Lug edges, the bezel curve, and the case sides should feel smooth. Sharp burrs point to a low grade case.
- Brushed surfaces should run in one direction, and polished bevels should be crisp against the brushing.
- Pushers should press with a short, firm travel and return cleanly. Spongy pushers usually mean a dressed up basic movement.
- Numerals should sit flat against the dial with even luminous fill. Uneven or domed filler reads as sloppy at arm's length.
- Engraving on the caseback should be deep and even, not laser shallow.
Testing the Dual Time Zone Function
- Set the Home time hand to a zone you know, for example five hours behind your local time.
- Press the upper pusher and count the jumps. Each press should move the local hour hand exactly one hour.
- Press the lower pusher and confirm the local hour hand moves back one hour per press.
- Watch the Home time hand during both steps. It should not shift by a single minute.
- Check the day/night apertures against the two readings. The indicators should follow the hands, not stay fixed.
Strap and Buckle
The original ships on a leather strap with a folding clasp. Replica straps are the easiest place for a maker to cut cost, so check the leather grain, the stitching line, and whether the buckle closes with a solid click. A thin, stiff strap on a 42mm case looks wrong even when everything else is right. Many buyers swap the strap right away, and a decent replacement lifts the whole watch.
Wholesale Checklist Before You Order
- Ask which movement is inside and whether the Home time hand sets independently.
- Request real photos of the exact unit, including the dial at an angle and the caseback.
- Confirm the case diameter and lug width in millimeters.
- Ask about crystal material and coating on both sides.
- Check the return window and whether the seller covers a dead movement on arrival.
- Order one sample before placing a bulk order at wholesale.
Care and Longevity
Keep the watch away from hot water, steam, and strong soaps, since gaskets on replicas are the weak point regardless of what the listing claims about water resistance. Wipe the case with a soft cloth after wear, keep leather straps dry, and store the watch away from magnets such as laptop speakers and tablet covers. An automatic movement of this type is usually best serviced every few years if you wear it daily, and any watchmaker who handles generic Swiss pattern movements can do the work.
FAQ
Does the second time zone work on every replica?
No. On many budget versions the extra hand is fixed or tied to the main time. Test the pushers before you buy.
Is the fake Patek Philippe Aviator Travel Time a good daily wearer?
An automatic version with a working travel time function is comfortable at 42mm and easy to read. A quartz version is lighter and needs less attention but feels less substantial.
How many quality tiers should I expect at wholesale?
Most suppliers split stock into three levels: entry quartz, mid range modified automatic, and top tier clone automatic. Price tracks the movement and the finishing, not the model name.