ZF vs 3K Factory is mostly a question of movement type on Patek models. 3K Factory (3KF) uses a Dandong 324 clone, while ZF's Patek Aquanaut and Calatrava models use a Japanese Miyota 9015, according to the May 2026 r/RepTime "Who Makes the Best" guide. On the Nautilus 5711, neither leads: the guide ranks DDF first, BBF second and 3KF third, and does not list ZF. ZF's own strength is elsewhere, on the AP Royal Oak, Tudor and IWC.
ZF vs 3K Factory: the Patek rows
| Patek model | Movement in the May 2026 guide | ZF | 3KF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nautilus 5711 | 324 clone | Not listed | Third (DDF first, BBF second) |
| Nautilus 5811 | 324 clone | Not listed | Second (DDF Heavy first) |
| Nautilus 5712 | 240 clone | Second, together with PPF v2 | Not listed |
| Aquanaut 5167 and 5168 | 324 clone | Not listed | Third (DDF first, BBF second) |
| Aquanaut 5167, 5168 and 5165 | 9015 Miyota | First | Not listed |
| Calatrava 5227 and 6007 | 324 clone | Not listed | First |
| Calatrava 5227, 5296 and 6007 | 9015 Miyota | First | Not listed |
Beyond Patek
- ZF is the first choice in 49 rows of the guide: the Royal Oak 15500 with a free-sprung 4302 clone, the 15400 and the Offshore with a 3120 clone, most Tudor Black Bay models, and the IWC Big Pilot.
- 3KF is first in 8 rows: the Calatrava 5227, 6007 and 5327, the 6102 Celestial, the ladies Nautilus 7010 and 7118, the Cartier Pasha 35 and the RM052. It is second for the Cartier Santos and most Ballon Bleu rows.
Movement and quality notes
3KF's 324 clone. Owners say 3KF follows the older calibre 324 version of the 5711, prints its movement text in a dark color rather than engraving it, and uses a regulator arm instead of the free-sprung balance of the genuine 324. A "330" on a 3KF plate is the same 324 base, which the guide calls "cosmetic only, really just the 324".
ZF's Miyota models. On a Miyota-based watch, the movement is not a copy of the Patek calibre. A 2023 owner of a ZF Royal Oak 15202 sold as an "Asian Clone 2121" found it Miyota-based, with a slow date change from 11 pm to midnight.
Status. Both factories are producing in 2026. A June 2025 raid hit a wholesaler that held ZF and Clean stock, not the ZF factory, according to a top commenter.
Sources
All dates are the posting dates of the threads.
- Who Makes the Best guide, spreadsheet updated May 29, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- Full review: ZF AP 15202ST, April 29, 2023 (r/RepTime)
- ZF factory was raided? June 13, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- 3KF is Top Factory now? August 12, 2025 (r/RepTime)
- 3KF vs DDF 5711: case and movement, October 8, 2025 (r/RepWatchForum)
- 5811 Comparison: 3KF vs DDF, November 7, 2025 (r/RepWatchForum)
- Patek Philippe 324 clone 3KF, March 20, 2026 (r/RepTime)
- Is the hacking seconds finally here? 3KF update, June 17, 2026 and new 3KF 5711 with the hacking seconds hand, July 28, 2026 (r/RepTime)
Next steps
Gold, platinum and custom versions
Guide
Gold Rolex replica: plated, wrapped, weighted or solid 18k gold
Gold plating in microns, tungsten-weighted builds and solid 18k parts, with weights and reported prices.
Guide
Custom replica watches: gold, diamonds, weight and genuine parts
What you can change, diamonds or moissanite, the order steps and the prices owners report.