Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 for a while now. That moon phase complication just does something to me, you know? But let’s be real, those things are rarer than a unicorn and cost more than my house. So, I thought, why not try to remake one myself? A little ambitious, maybe, but hey, I love a good challenge.
First things first, I started to search and collect a ton of pictures. I mean, every angle, every detail I could find online. I printed them out and made myself a little mood board. It looked like a shrine to the 5712, honestly. I even watched those videos of people unboxing them, just to get a feel for the weight and the way the light hits the dial. I was obsessed, no joke.
Then came the fun part—buying the parts. Now, I wasn’t about to go bankrupt for this project, so I had to get creative. I spent hours on these forums and marketplaces, looking for deals. I found a guy selling a bunch of old watch movements, and I managed to snag one that was kinda close to what I needed. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. I also ordered some cheap watch cases and dials to practice on. I figured I’d mess up a few times before getting it right, and I definitely didn’t want to ruin any expensive materials.
My work area started to look like a mad scientist’s lab. I had tools everywhere, magnifying glasses, tweezers, little screwdrivers—you name it. I even bought one of those watchmaker’s loupes to see the tiny parts up close. I felt like a real pro, even though I was totally winging it. I started to take apart my practice pieces first. It was way harder than it looked. Those screws are smaller than ants! I lost a few, ngl, but I eventually got the hang of it.
After a few weeks of trial and error, and a lot of swearing, I finally felt ready to tackle the real deal. I used the base movement I found, and started to modify it. I had to file down some parts, add others, and basically Frankenstein this thing together. It was intense, man. There were moments when I thought I’d totally ruined it, but I kept pushing. Then, I tried to make the dial. I bought a few different materials, trying to match that iconic blue color. I messed up a bunch of times, but eventually, I got something that looked pretty darn close. I even managed to add the little details, like the date window and the power reserve indicator.
Putting it all together was the hardest part. I had to be super careful not to scratch anything or mess up the alignment. My hands were shaking the whole time. But, after what felt like an eternity, I finally got it assembled. I wound it up, held my breath, and watched. It ticked! It actually worked!
My Final Masterpiece
- Dial: I managed to recreate that beautiful blue color. It’s not 100% perfect, but it’s pretty close.
- Hands: I found some hands that were a good match, and I polished them up to make them shine.
- Case: I went with a stainless steel case that had a similar shape to the Nautilus. It’s not the same, but it gives off the right vibe.
- Movement: This is where I had to compromise the most. It’s not a genuine Patek movement, but it keeps time pretty well.
- Strap: I found a decent-looking bracelet.
It was a wild ride, but I actually did it. I made my own version of a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712. It’s not perfect, it’s not the real deal, but it’s mine. And you know what? I’m pretty damn proud of it. Now, every time I look at it, I remember the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it. It’s more than just a watch to me; it’s a reminder that I can do anything I set my mind to, even if it’s a little crazy.
I’ve been wearing it almost every day, and I always get compliments on it. People are always asking where I got it, and I love telling them the story. It’s a great conversation starter. I might not be able to afford the real thing, but this homemade version has brought me so much joy. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to compare it to the real deal. Until then, I’ll keep on tinkering and dreaming.
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