Quick answer

Patek Philippe reference 5496 is a self-winding perpetual calendar with a retrograde date. Patek made it in platinum (5496P-001) and rose gold (5496R-001). The case measures 38 mm. The movement is calibre 324 S QR. A watch sold as a "replica" of the 5496 copies Patek Philippe trademarks, so it is a counterfeit, not a licensed product. US federal law treats the sale of counterfeit watches as a crime.

What the reference 5496 does

The dial carries day, month, retrograde date, leap year and moon phase displays. The date hand sweeps back at the end of each month instead of jumping. A perpetual calendar tracks month lengths and leap years, so the owner corrects it once per century. Patek introduced the reference in the early 2010s. Production status today is not confirmed here.

What the word "replica" covers

Sellers use "1:1", "super clone", "AAA" and "mirror quality" to label copies. None of these terms has a standard definition. No independent body certifies them. Parts, metals and finishing change between batches, and one listing can ship different watches over time.

Legal position in the United States

18 U.S.C. § 2320 makes trafficking in counterfeit goods a federal offense. A first conviction carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $2 million for an individual. Brand owners can also sue under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114. US Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy counterfeit watches at the border.

Where copies differ from the original

A perpetual calendar mechanism holds hundreds of parts. Copies of the 5496 do not use that mechanism. The calendar display runs from a module, or the functions are printed on the dial. Platinum has a density near 21 g/cm3 against near 8 g/cm3 for steel, so a 5496P and a steel copy of the same size differ on a scale. Patek finishes movement parts that sit under a solid case back. Copies finish the visible side.

Checking a genuine watch

Patek Philippe engraves the reference and movement number on the case and the movement. The company issues an Extract from the Archives for watches it made, and its service centers verify watches in person. No equal check exists for a counterfeit.

This page states reference facts and US legal status. It does not endorse the purchase of counterfeit goods.