Quick Answer
A replica Audemars Piguet ref 205 is worth buying only when the seller can name the exact reference it copies, the case diameter and thickness, and the movement inside. On an AP, the reference number drives the case size, lug shape, dial finish, hand style, bracelet taper, and the engravings on the caseback. If a listing says ref 205 but shows a watch that matches no genuine reference photo, you are looking at a generic lookalike with a borrowed name. Score the watch on reference accuracy first, finishing second, and price last.
What the Ref 205 Designation Controls
A reference number works as a build sheet. Genuine collectors use it to date a watch and price it, and replica buyers can use it the same way. Two-digit and three-digit AP references point to vintage pieces, while modern Royal Oak references run to five digits. Confirm with the seller whether ref 205 means a vintage model or a modern one before you compare anything, because the two follow different dial layouts, case profiles, and bracelet designs. Once you settle that question, every visual check below has a right answer you can verify against a genuine photo.
Prerequisites
- A genuine photo of the reference at a known case size, taken straight on and in profile
- The seller's photo set in daylight, plus macro shots of the dial, the case flank, and the caseback
- A phone macro lens or a jeweler's loupe rated 10x
- Case measurements in millimeters from the seller, including thickness and lug width
- Written return terms and an inspection window of at least three days
How to Vet the Watch
- Ask the seller for the exact reference number, the case diameter, the thickness, and the caliber name.
- Pull a genuine photo of that reference from the brand's own archive or a major auction house listing.
- Place the genuine photo next to the seller's photo at the same case size.
- Compare the case width, thickness, and lug curvature against the measurements you were given.
- Zoom to 3x on the dial and read the brand signature, any model text, and the hour markers.
- Trace the bezel edge and case flank for brushing direction, chamfer width, and polish lines.
- Check the date window position, the cut of the aperture, and the font on the date wheel.
- Inspect the bracelet for link spacing, taper toward the clasp, screw head slots, and clasp engraving depth.
- Request a movement photo and identify whether the caliber is a decorated clone or a stock third-party unit.
- Ask for a short video showing crown operation, the date change, and any chronograph function.
- Confirm the return window in writing and pay through a method with buyer protection.
Quality Tiers and Price Bands
Three tiers show up in the replica AP market. Entry pieces use a stamped dial and a plain movement, and the bezel screws sit at the wrong angle. Mid-tier builds add a correct tapisserie pattern, a decorated rotor, and a closer bracelet taper. Super clone builds copy the case geometry and use a movement that mirrors the genuine layout, and these command the highest price. Price tracks the tier, not the model name, so ask what movement is inside before you discuss cost.
Red Flags
- No genuine reference photo supplied on request
- Caseback engravings that differ in font, spacing, or depth from the reference photo
- Bezel screws that sit proud of the bezel or cross-thread into the case
- Dial text that sits off center or uses a different letterform
- Seller claims of water resistance above 50 meters without pressure test paperwork
- Payment requests through irreversible methods
Care and Long-Term Ownership
Keep the watch dry. No replica should go near a pool, a shower, or salt water, even when the seller lists a depth rating. Have a watchmaker replace gaskets and lubricate the movement at three to five year intervals, and ask for that work in writing before you buy. Store the watch flat in a dry case away from magnets and direct sun. Note that import of counterfeit goods is illegal in the United States and shipments are subject to seizure by border authorities, so treat any purchase as a personal risk decision.