Okay, here is my experience of remaking the Patek Philippe PP Nautilus 5712 Classic Style:
Man, I gotta tell you about this project I just finished. I’ve always been a huge fan of Patek Philippe watches, especially the Nautilus line. That 5712, with its moon phase and power reserve, it’s just a dream watch, you know? But let’s be real, the chances of me getting my hands on a real one are like, 1%, not unless I am already a rich guy. And a real one is just way out of my budget. So, I thought, why not try to make a replica for myself?
I started by diving deep into research. I read tons of reviews, compared different replica options, and tried to find the best parts available. I knew I wanted to get as close as possible to the original 5712, which was first launched back in 2006, the same year as that famous 5711. I learned that the 5712 is a bit more complex mechanically, with a micro-rotor movement and those extra features I love. The original is about 40mm in diameter and 8.7mm thick, which I wanted to match.
The movement was the biggest challenge. The real 5712 uses a 240 caliber with a micro-rotor, and it has a power reserve indicator, moon phase, date, and small seconds hand. Finding a replica movement that could do all that was tough. But I found a place that had a decent one. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough for me.
- Gathering the Parts: I sourced the case, bracelet, dial, and hands from different places. It took a while to get everything together, but I wanted the best quality I could find.
- Assembling the Watch: Putting it all together was a real test of patience. I had to be super careful not to scratch anything or mess up the movement. Each step was important. Fortunately, there are many guides on how to do that. I just followed them step by step.
- Fine-Tuning: Once it was assembled, I spent a lot of time adjusting the movement and making sure everything was running smoothly. The power reserve, the moon phase, all of it had to work just right. This part of the process is tedious. Even though I am an expert in watch assembly, I am still very careful.
After all that work, I finally had my own “5712.” It’s not the real deal, but it looks amazing on my wrist. It’s also super comfortable to wear, just like how people describe the original. I’ve been wearing it daily, and it just feels great. Every time I look at the dial, I can’t help but smile. The moon phase is so cool, and seeing the power reserve hand move is satisfying. And you know what? It is not easy to tell that this is a replica watch.
The Result
This whole project was a labor of love. It took a lot of time, effort, and money, but it was totally worth it. I learned so much about watchmaking, and I ended up with a piece that I’m really proud of. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. People are always asking me about it, and I love sharing the story of how I made it. And I think I would try other models in the future. The feeling of accomplishment is addictive.
So, yeah, that’s my story about remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712. It was a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I say go for it! Just be prepared to put in the work, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. You will be very proud of yourself, I promise.
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