I recently set out on a project to remake the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712, and let me tell you, it was a journey. I’ve always admired the sleek design of the 5712, with its stainless-steel case and that iconic octagonal bezel. So, I decided to try my hand at creating a replica.
First, I gathered all the information I could find about the 5712. I learned that the original has a 40mm case and is about 8.52mm thick, and it’s water-resistant up to 60 meters. Inside, it’s got this 240 PS IRM C LU automatic caliber that keeps it ticking accurately. The real deal also has a sapphire-crystal case back that shows off the movement and a 22k gold rotor.
I spent days researching where to find parts. I found a few websites that seemed to have some decent deals on parts that looked like they would work.
- Sourcing the Case: I found a stainless-steel case that was pretty close to the dimensions of the original 5712. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough for my project.
- Movement: I managed to get my hands on a used automatic movement that, while not a genuine Patek caliber, was reliable and fit the case nicely. I figured it would do the job just fine.
- Dial and Hands: This was tricky. I wanted to replicate the distinctive Nautilus dial, so I spent hours looking for a similar one. I eventually found a dial that had the right look, and I paired it with some hands that matched the style of the original.
- Sapphire Crystal: I ordered a sapphire crystal for the case back. It wasn’t as finely finished as the Patek one, but it gave me a clear view of the movement, which I thought was pretty cool.
Once I had all the parts, I started assembling the watch. It was a painstaking process. I had to be super careful not to damage any of the components. I used tweezers and a tiny screwdriver for most of the work. It was like putting together a tiny, intricate puzzle. I messed up a couple of times, especially with the hands. They were so small and delicate that I accidentally bent one and had to order a replacement. But, I didn’t give up. I kept at it, and slowly but surely, the watch started to come together.
After many hours of work, I finally finished my replica. I have to say, it looked pretty darn good. The case had a nice weight to it, the dial looked sharp, and the movement was ticking away smoothly. I even managed to get the date and moon phase complications working, which was a huge win for me. I tried it on and found it was beyond my expectation.
Of course, it’s not a genuine Patek Philippe, and I would never try to pass it off as one. But, as a personal project, it was incredibly satisfying. I learned so much about watchmaking, and I ended up with a unique timepiece that I’m proud to wear. This project taught me that with patience and a bit of ingenuity, you can create something truly special. Even if the original sells for over a hundred grand, I feel like I’ve got something priceless on my wrist.
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