Okay, here we go, let me tell you about my little project of remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712, specifically for specialty stores.
It all started when I got this itch to do something special with my watch collection. I’ve always been a fan of the Nautilus, especially the 5712, it is kind of classic, right? So I thought, why not try to give it a little personal touch? Not a complete overhaul, just a few tweaks here and there to make it truly mine. I find it’s a watch according casualness and elegance wonderfully.
First things first, I spent a good amount of time just staring at the watch. I mean, really staring. Then I started browsing online, just to see what other people were doing. There are some amazing custom jobs out there. But I was looking for something simpler, more subtle.
I came across some discussions about the 5712 replicas, specifically the PPF/ZF versions. People were talking about the SW dial and moon phase, which sounded interesting. I also saw some chatter about the Keylog moon phase being even better. For the last few days I’ve convinced myself that the 5712 v2 super clone is the rep I want. I decided to order one PPF V2, which was said to be the latest version.
Getting Down to Business
Once I had the base watch, it was time to get to work. I’m no watchmaker, but I’m pretty handy with tools. And I’ve got a decent eye for detail.
- Dial: The first thing I wanted to change was the dial. The stock one was fine, but I wanted something with a bit more pop. I managed to find a beautiful aftermarket dial that had a slightly different shade of blue. It was a subtle change, but it made a big difference to me.
- Moon Phase: This was a bit trickier. I wanted to upgrade the moon phase indicator, but I wasn’t sure which way to go. In the end, I decided to go with a Keylog moon phase, just because I’d heard so many good things about it. Installation was a bit nerve-wracking, but I took it slow and managed to get it done without any major hiccups.
- Hands: I considered changing the hands, but ultimately decided to keep the originals. They just seemed to fit the overall aesthetic of the watch so well.
Putting it all back together was probably the most stressful part. You know, like when you take apart your phone to replace the battery and you’re terrified you’re going to break something? Yeah, like that, but with a much more expensive and delicate piece of machinery. Luckily I got a very good video comparison of the new 5712 PPF V2 with a Gen dial, which was quite helpful for me.
The Finished Product
After a few evenings of tinkering, it was finally done. And you know what? I was pretty darn proud of myself. The watch looked amazing, at least to my eyes. The new dial and moon phase really elevated the whole look. I think this will help a lot of us. It wasn’t a radical transformation, but it was enough to make the watch feel unique.
Wearing it out for the first time was a real thrill. I kept catching myself glancing down at my wrist, admiring my handiwork. I even got a few compliments, which was a nice bonus. All the complements make me think that I may have created a high-end look watch.
So, that’s the story of my little Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 remake. It was a fun project, and it taught me a lot about watches and my own abilities. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I say go for it! Just be patient, take your time, and don’t be afraid to experiment a little. You might be surprised at what you can achieve.
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