Okay, so, I’ve been eyeing the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 for a while now. That watch is just…wow. But let’s be real, getting your hands on one is like trying to catch a unicorn. I mean, the price tag alone is enough to make your eyes water, and then there’s the whole waiting list thing. Still, I decided I was gonna try to get one, somehow.
First things first, I started doing some digging. I read everything I could find about the 5711, from its launch way back in the 1970s to its recent discontinuation. It was the most famous model, designed by Grald Genta. Learned about the different models and all that. Apparently, it’s super popular with collectors and all that. It also said it’s gonna be 5 to 8 years waiting list. I thought, well, that’s just great.
Next, I checked out Patek Philippe’s website. They have this form you can fill out to get on the waiting list. Filled it out, obviously. But I knew the chances of getting a call anytime soon were slim to none. These lists are, like, years long.
So, I started looking into other ways. I figured maybe, just maybe, I could find one secondhand. But even the used ones are crazy expensive. People are selling them for way more than the original price because they’re so hard to get.
After a few weeks, I felt a little frustrated. I mean, I’m doing everything I can. I started thinking if I could get something that looks like it. I’ve seen some folks remake the Nautilus 5711. You know, they use a similar case, dial, and bracelet. Some of them even swap the movement for a modified one. I’ve even seen some people take existing watches and modify them to look more like the 5711.
I decided to find one of those people who remake the Nautilus 5711. I found a guy on a forum who seemed to know what he was doing. We chatted for a bit, and I decided to go for it. It was way cheaper than buying an actual 5711, although still not exactly cheap.
I sent him my watch. Then began the long wait. It took him a couple of months to do the modifications. It took him a while to find the right parts. He kept me updated throughout the process, sending me pictures and videos.
Finally, the day came when he told me it was ready. He sent me some final pictures, and I gotta say, I was impressed. It looked just like the real deal, at least to me.
A few days later, the package arrived. I opened it up, and there it was. My very own “Nautilus 5711.” Sure, it’s not the real thing, but it’s close enough. And honestly, I’m pretty happy with it.
So, that’s my story of how I tried to get a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 and ended up with a remake. It was a bit of a rollercoaster, but in the end, I got a watch that I really like. Maybe one day I’ll be able to get the real thing, but for now, this will do just fine.