Hey guys, so I’ve been obsessing over this Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 for a while now. It’s like, the ultimate grail watch for me. But man, that price tag is just insane! I saw a listing online, a new 2024 model, and it was going for $127,995. Another site had them ranging from $140,000 all the way up to $280,000 depending on how worn they are. Insane, right? It’s even more insane if you consider that the official retail price for a new one is supposed to be around GBP 30,530, which is like way, way less than these reseller prices!
I did some digging, and the retail prices can go from something like $32,520 for the basic steel ladies’ version to a crazy $588,700 for a white gold one covered in diamonds. But even the “basic” men’s steel model is way out of my league, not to mention the bejeweled ones.
So, I started thinking, “Why not try to remake one myself?” I mean, I’m pretty handy, and I’ve always loved taking things apart and putting them back together. Plus, I figured it would be a fun project. How hard could it be, right? (famous last words, lol)
The First Step
I decided to take on the steel version of the 5712, the 5712/1A. First I needed to find detailed pictures and specs, and let me tell you, those watch forums are a goldmine! I spent hours just browsing through close-up shots, trying to get a feel for the dimensions and all the little details. I even found some articles about how there’s supposedly a 7-year waiting list for this watch at official dealers, and some people are saying it might even be discontinued soon. Can you imagine?
Gathering Materials
After that, I had to find some cheap watches I could use for parts. I hit up a few local flea markets and thrift stores, and I managed to score a couple of old, beat-up watches for next to nothing. I also ordered some basic watchmaking tools online, just some screwdrivers, tweezers, and a loupe. I was like a kid on Christmas morning when that package arrived!
- Bought several cheap watches at flea markets for parts.
- Ordered basic watchmaking tools online.
The Disassembly
Then came the scary part: taking apart the donor watches. I started with the cheapest one, just to get a feel for how everything was put together. It was definitely trickier than I expected. Those screws are tiny, and the parts are so delicate! I accidentally sent a few flying across the room, and I’m pretty sure one of them is lost forever under the couch.
- Started disassembling the cheapest watch.
- Encountered difficulties due to tiny screws and delicate parts.
- Lost some parts during the process.
The “Aha!” Moment
But then, I had a bit of a breakthrough. I realized that the basic structure of most mechanical watches is pretty similar. So, I started focusing on the parts that looked like they could be modified to resemble the 5712. I used my phone to take close-up shots of every step, so I wouldn’t forget how to put it all back together (hopefully).
- Realized the basic structure of mechanical watches is similar.
- Focused on parts that could be modified to resemble the 5712.
- Documented the process with photos.
The Modification
This was where the real work began. I spent days, maybe even weeks, just filing, sanding, and polishing the different parts. I used the pictures of the real 5712 as a guide, trying to match the shape and finish as closely as possible. Let me tell you, it was tedious work. My fingers were sore, my eyes were strained, and I’m pretty sure I inhaled a fair amount of metal dust. I even read about how the real 5712 is known for being slim, even though it has complications like a power reserve, moon phase, and calendar, so I tried my best to file down the parts to make my watch slimmer, too.
- Spent days modifying parts by filing, sanding, and polishing.
- Used pictures of the real 5712 as a guide.
- Tried to make the watch slimmer, mimicking the real 5712.
The Reassembly
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it was time to put everything back together. This was probably the most nerve-wracking part of the whole process. One wrong move, and I could damage something beyond repair. But, slowly but surely, I managed to get all the parts back in their place. It is so hard!
- Carefully reassembled the modified parts.
- Faced challenges due to the delicate nature of the process.
The Result
And you know what? It actually worked! I mean, it’s not perfect, not by a long shot. It doesn’t have any of the complications of the real 5712, like the power reserve indicator or the moon phase display. The finishing is rough in places, and it definitely doesn’t have that same luxurious feel. The case is a bit thicker than I’d like it to be, too, since I couldn’t get the parts thin enough without breaking them. I also read that Patek Philippe discontinued the 5712R and 5712G, which are leather strap versions, and kept only the 5712/1A, the bracelet version, in production, so maybe mine is some kind of weird hybrid homage.
But, it tells the time, and it looks kinda like a Nautilus, at least from a distance. And most importantly, I made it myself! I know it’s not worth anything close to what a real Nautilus costs—I saw an article saying that some Patek Philippe watches, like the Nautilus, can go up in value a lot because they’re rare and really well-made, and that Rolex watches like the Submariner are popular, too—but it’s priceless to me. It’s a reminder that even the most complex things can be broken down into smaller, more manageable steps. And, who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually be able to afford the real deal. But until then, I’ll be proudly wearing my homemade “Nautilus.”
What do you guys think? Was it a crazy idea? Let me know in the comments!
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