Alright, guys, gather around. Today, I’m gonna share my latest project with you – remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712. Yeah, you heard that right, the 5712, that holy grail of watches with a waiting list longer than my patience.
Starting Out
First off, I gotta say, getting your hands on a real 5712 is like finding a unicorn. They say there’s a 7-year waitlist, and even then, your chances are slim to none unless you’ve practically sold your soul to an authorized dealer. So, what’s a guy to do? I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my own.
The Journey
I started by diving deep into research. I mean, if you’re gonna remake something, you gotta know it inside and out. I learned that the original 5712 is about 10mm thick and has this automatic 240 movement, which, by the way, isn’t a clone movement in the replica world. I also found out that the original’s bracelet feels kind of cheap, but hey, it’s still a masterpiece. MSRP? Don’t even get me started – over 82,000 Euros. Crazy, right?
Getting to Work
- Sourcing the Parts: This was a mission in itself. I needed a case, a dial, hands, and most importantly, a movement that could at least pretend to be a 240. It’s not easy, folks.
- The Case: I found a decent stainless steel case that was about 40mm. Not the real deal, but it looked the part.
- The Dial: This was tricky. I wanted that iconic blue gradient dial. Spent weeks finding something that came close.
- The Movement: Here’s where things got interesting. No, I didn’t get a real 240. But I found a movement that was slim and could fit the case. Had to modify it a bit, but it worked!
- The Bracelet: Remember how I said the original’s bracelet feels cheap? Well, my replica’s bracelet was no different. But it did the job.
Putting It All Together
Assembly was like performing surgery. One wrong move and you’ve messed up the whole thing. I had to be super careful with the hands, the dial, and fitting the movement into the case. Took me a few tries, but I finally got it all together. The moment of truth? When I wound it up and it started ticking. Man, that was a feeling.
The Final Product
So, how did it turn out? Honestly, it’s not perfect. But it’s pretty darn good for something I made in my own workshop. It’s got the look, the feel, and it tells time. Plus, it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. Would I wear it and feel like a million bucks? Absolutely. It’s a conversation starter, a statement piece, and a testament to what you can do with a bit of determination and a lot of patience.
In the end, this project was more than just about making a watch. It was about the challenge, the learning experience, and the satisfaction of creating something with my own two hands. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. But maybe next time, I’ll try a different model. Any suggestions?
Click to consult