Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 for a while now. That watch is just something else, you know? It’s sleek, it’s classy, and it’s got that whole “if you know, you know” vibe. But man, that price tag is a killer. So I thought, why not try to remake one myself?
First, I started digging into this watch. I watched a ton of videos, read every article I could find, just to understand what makes it tick, literally. I learned that this particular model, the 5712, it’s pretty rare. Like, 7-year waiting list rare, according to some UK retailer I found. And the price? Don’t even get me started. Retail is around $51,850, but good luck finding one for that price. They’re trading for way more, almost double, like $96 online.
My Process:
- Gathering Intel: I spent weeks just looking at pictures, specs, anything I could find about the 5712. I wanted to know every curve, every detail. There are a bunch of places online, like this watch site, where you can compare prices and see what these things are going for. It’s crazy.
- Finding Parts: This was the hard part. I needed to find parts that looked the part but didn’t cost a fortune. I went through so many online stores, forums, even some shady back alleys of the internet, trying to find decent components.
- Assembling: I got some tools, watched some tutorials, and started putting it all together. This took some time, a lot of patience, and a few messed-up attempts. But I gotta say, there’s something really satisfying about building something with your own hands.
- Testing it Out: I finally got the thing working. It looked pretty good, if I do say so myself. It kept time, had that nice weight to it, and honestly, it felt awesome to wear something I made.
Now, I’m not saying it’s a perfect replica. But it looks close enough, and it definitely feels like a luxury watch. It’s got that stainless steel look, that 40mm size that’s just right, and it’s got that whole Nautilus vibe going on. Plus, doing it myself made it feel even more special, you know?
In the end, it was a pretty cool project. I learned a ton about watches, and I got to wear something that usually only the super-rich get to have. Plus, I didn’t have to deal with the crazy price increases or those long waiting lists. I just made it myself. It’s not about tricking anyone, it’s about appreciating the design and enjoying the process. And yeah, it’s also pretty cool to show off a bit. Who wouldn’t want to wear a “Patek” they built themselves?
Click to consult