Alright, folks, let’s talk about this little project I took on – remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712. Yeah, the original one. Now, I’m not a watchmaker or anything, just a guy who likes to get his hands dirty and see how things work. So, I thought, why not try to replicate this beauty? It was a journey, let me tell you.
First off, I started by digging around for any info I could find on the 5712. I found it comes with a self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 240 PS IRM C LU, if you’re into the technical stuff. Then there’s the steel bracelet and the Nautilus fold-over clasp. I mean, those details are what make it a Patek Philippe, right?
Next, I hunted down some similar parts. It wasn’t easy. Scouring online, talking to a few guys that I know who are really into watches. I stumbled upon some prices, too. Apparently, the real deal, the 5712/1A-001, goes for a whopping $261,681. Insane, right? Mine? Not so much. It’s the thought that counts and the experience I had. Anyway, I managed to find some decent parts. Not the same, of course, but close enough for my little experiment.
Then came the fun part – putting it all together. It was like a puzzle, a really complicated one. I spent hours, days even, just fiddling with the tiny screws and gears, figuring out where each part fits. My fingers got sore, my eyes got tired, but I kept at it. You know that feeling when you’re so focused on something you lose track of time? That was me, every single day. I even started talking to myself, mumbling about moon phases and power reserves. My wife thought I was going crazy, but hey, I was having fun!
- Started by getting my hands on the movement. Found a similar one online after weeks of searching.
- Then the dial. I opted for the blue one because, why not? It looks amazing.
- The bracelet was a tough one. I had to make some adjustments to the one I found, but eventually, it fit just right.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I had something that resembled the Nautilus 5712. It wasn’t perfect, not even close, but it was mine. I wore it around the house, showing it off to my wife, who, by the way, was just happy I was done with my “crazy watch project.” I even took some pictures, comparing it to the images of the original 5712. It’s not a bad first try!
So, yeah, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712. It was a challenge, a learning experience, and a whole lot of fun. Would I do it again? Maybe. But for now, I’m just enjoying my little creation. It’s not about the price or the brand, it’s about the journey and the satisfaction of building something with your own two hands. And to me, that’s priceless.