Okay, so, I got this itch to remake a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1, the classic style. It’s a good-looking watch, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, I started digging around to see what’s what with these replica things. Seems like a lot of folks are saying a mix of PF and PPF parts is the way to go if you’re on a budget. I mean, the real deal, the 5711, they say 3KF will eventually make the best copy, but that’s probably gonna take a while and cost a pretty penny.
First thing I did was look at a bunch of pictures of the real 5713/1 and some replicas. I checked out the ones from PPF, PF, and even MK. After staring at them for hours, I figured the PPF one, especially with the blue dial, looked the closest to the real thing. It’s just got that right vibe, you know?
I’ve always been into watches, and I know Patek Philippe is like the king of the hill. They just came out with a new collection, which is a big deal since they haven’t done that in like 25 years. So, naturally, I was curious about the Nautilus, especially the 5711, since it’s kind of a legend. Reading up on it, I found this collector’s guide talking about buying, selling, and all that jazz. Got me thinking about the investment side of things, too.
Now, about actually getting my hands on one. I was initially looking at an AP Royal Oak, but then I stumbled upon the PP Nautilus 5712R, and man, that thing is sweet. It’s got the time, the date, and even a moon phase. Fancy stuff! But, apparently, there’s like a seven-year waiting list for the 5712, and some say it might even be discontinued soon. Crazy, right?
I did some more research and found out that these Patek Philippe watches, especially the Nautilus, can actually go up in value. People are all about that rarity and craftsmanship. Rolex is another big name, and their Submariner and Daytona models are also pretty solid investments, from what I hear. They’re like the tough guys of the watch world.
Here’s how I started to remake it:
- Gathering Intel: Spent hours online looking at pictures, reading forums, and basically becoming a mini-expert on the Nautilus 5713/1.
- Choosing the Base: Decided to go with a PPF version as the base for my project. The blue dial one just looked the most accurate to me.
- Sourcing Parts: This was the tricky part. I had to find good quality parts from both PF and PPF that would fit together nicely. A lot of trial and error here.
- Taking it Apart: Got myself some tiny screwdrivers and carefully took the watch apart. It’s like surgery, but for a watch!
- Mixing and Matching: This is where the magic happened. I started swapping out parts, trying different combinations until I got the look I was after.
- Putting it Back Together: Reassembling the watch was just as nerve-wracking as taking it apart. One wrong move and you could mess up the whole thing.
- Admiring the Result: Finally, after all that work, I had my very own “remade” Nautilus 5713/1. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I’m pretty proud of it.
So, yeah, that’s my little adventure into the world of replica watches. It’s a fun hobby, and you learn a lot along the way. Plus, you get to wear a pretty cool watch without selling your kidney. If you’re thinking about trying it, I say go for it! Just be prepared to spend some time and maybe get a little frustrated. But in the end, it’s worth it.
It might not have all the bells and whistles of the original, but it’s got that classic look, and it’s something I made with my own two hands. And hey, it’s a great conversation starter! That’s it for this share. See ya!
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