Alright, so I’ve been on this kick lately, trying to remake that slick Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1, you know, the one with the diamond bezel. It’s a real looker, that 18K white gold, but man, it’s hard to find since they stopped making it back in 2009.
I started by hitting up all the specialty stores. I figured, who better to ask than the folks who deal with these watches every day? I went in, acting all casual, asking about the Nautilus line. I got some funny looks, but hey, gotta start somewhere.
Here’s what I did:
- Made a list of all the Patek Philippe authorized dealers in my area. I didn’t want to waste my time with places that wouldn’t have a clue.
- Visited each store, one by one. I talked to the sales staff, trying to get a feel for what they knew about the 5713/1.
- Took notes, lots of notes. I wrote down everything they said, even if it seemed irrelevant at the time. You never know what might be useful later.
After hitting up the physical stores, I moved my search online. I spent hours browsing forums, auction sites, and those online watch marketplaces. I even found one place, Chrono-something, that had some Patek Philippe Calatrava models. They had a 5227R-001 listed for over 30 grand! These watches are seriously expensive.
I also did a lot of reading. I learned that to really nail a remake, you need more than just a good idea. You need people who know what they’re doing. I looked into different guides on remaking Patek Philippe watches. There were a bunch, like ones for the Calatrava 5226G-001 and the Nautilus 5712. But the 5713/1, that’s a whole other beast.
I started reaching out to people online. I found some forums where folks were talking about remaking watches. It was a bit of a mixed bag. Some people were really helpful, sharing tips and resources. Others, not so much. But hey, that’s the internet for you. I even contacted some custom watchmakers. A few got back to me, but their prices were way out of my league. They were asking for more than what I make in a year!
Honestly, this whole process has been a rollercoaster. One day I’m feeling like I’m making progress, the next I’m hitting a dead end. But I’m not giving up. I’m still digging, still searching for that perfect remake.
Where I’m At Now
Right now, I’ve got a few leads. I found a couple of watchmakers who might be able to help, but I need to do more research on them. I’m also keeping an eye on those online marketplaces, hoping that a 5713/1 remake pops up. It’s a long shot, but you never know.
This whole thing has been a real learning experience. I’ve learned a ton about Patek Philippe, about remaking watches, and about the crazy world of watch collecting. It’s been frustrating at times, but also kind of exciting. I’m still pushing forward, determined to get my hands on that 5713/1 remake. Wish me luck!
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