Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 for a while now. I mean, who hasn’t, right? That thing is a legend. But walking into an official store and just buying one? Yeah, not happening. Apparently, there’s like a seven-year waiting list, and even then, you basically have zero chance unless you’ve already bought a ton of other watches from them. Some rumors said it will be discontinued soon. It’s crazy!
So, I started thinking, maybe I can try to remake it. I have some basic knowledge and have been collecting parts here and there, and some friends can do the same. This might be a fun challenge.
Starting the Movement
First, I started with the movement. I spent hours looking at pictures and videos of the 5712, trying to get a feel for how everything went together. The movement is the heart of the watch, so I knew I had to get it as close as possible. I found a similar movement. Not the exact same, but close enough that I thought I could make it work with a few adjustments. Then I carefully took it apart, cleaned everything, and started figuring out what needed to be changed. I tried to modify it to make it look more like the original 5712 movement. It’s not perfect, but it was not bad.
Crafting the Case
Next up was the case. This was tough. I wanted that iconic Nautilus shape, and getting the angles and curves just right took forever. I started with a raw block of steel and then used some old machines to help me shape it. We did some rough cutting first, then I spent days carefully filing and polishing. I kept comparing it to pictures of the real 5712, making tiny adjustments until I was finally happy with it. It’s 40mm wide and 8.52mm thick, pretty close to the original. And I made sure it was water-resistant up to 60 meters, just like the real deal. Getting the screw-down crown right was a bit tricky, but I managed.
Dialing in the Details
Then came the dial, which is where the 5712 really shines. That asymmetrical design with the moon phase, date, and power reserve is just beautiful. I studied pictures of the original dial, trying to copy the layout and the font. My friends and I made a few prototypes, printed them out, and tested different colors until we found one that looked right. Getting the moon phase indicator to work was a real pain, but I eventually figured it out using some tiny gears and a lot of patience.
Putting It All Together
Finally, it was time to put everything together. This was the most exciting and nerve-wracking part. I carefully assembled the movement, attached the dial, and set the hands. Then I installed the movement into the case and added the sapphire crystal case back so you could see the movement. The bracelet was another challenge, but I managed to find one that was a pretty good match in terms of weight. I heard that the 5712 is about 116g, and mine was in a similar range.
After all that work, I finally had my own “5712.” Of course, it’s not a real Patek Philippe, and I would never try to pass it off as one. But it’s a pretty decent copy, and I’m really proud of how it turned out.
- It’s got that classic Nautilus look.
- The movement is modified and keeping decent time.
- The dial looks pretty close to the original, with the moon phase and power reserve working.
This whole project was a ton of work, but it was also a lot of fun. I learned so much about watchmaking, and I got to challenge myself creatively. Plus, now I have a unique watch that I built myself. And honestly, it scratches that 5712 itch, at least for now. Maybe someday I’ll get my hands on the real thing, but until then, I’m happy with my little homemade tribute.
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