Alright, so I’ve been eyeing the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 for a while now. It’s a beautiful watch, but the price tag? Forget about it! So, I decided to go the remake route. Let me tell you, it was a journey.
Finding the Right Parts
First things first, I needed to find the right parts. I spent hours, and I mean hours, scrolling through forums and online marketplaces. It’s like a whole underground world of watch parts out there. I found a few sellers that seemed legit, but it was still a bit of a gamble.
- Dial: This was probably the hardest part. Getting that iconic blue dial just right is tricky. I eventually found one that looked pretty darn close, although the color was slightly off.
- Hands: These were easier to source. I found a set of hands that were almost identical to the original.
- Case: The case was another challenge. I wanted something that felt solid and had the right weight. I ended up going with a stainless steel case that was a good replica of the Nautilus case.
- Movement: Now, I’m no watchmaker, so I opted for a decent automatic movement that would keep good time.
Putting It All Together
Once I had all the parts, the real fun began. I found a local watchmaker who was willing to help me assemble everything. He was a bit skeptical at first, but I think he was intrigued by the project. It took him a couple of weeks, but he finally got it all together.
The Final Product
And let me tell you, the final product is amazing! Sure, it’s not a real Patek Philippe, but it looks and feels pretty close. The weight is good, the dial looks great, and it keeps good time. I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks now, and I’ve gotten tons of compliments. People can’t believe it’s not the real deal.
Overall, I’m really happy with how it turned out. It was a fun project, and I saved a ton of money. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, I say go for it! Just be prepared to put in the time and effort, and don’t expect perfection.
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