Okay, let me tell you about this little project I got myself into – remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712, a real classic. It all started when I stumbled upon this old 5712 in my collection. It was pretty beaten up, not running, and just collecting dust. I thought, “Why not give this beauty a new lease on life?” So I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
First off, I carefully took the whole thing apart. I mean, every single screw, every tiny gear, I laid them all out. It was like a watch autopsy, you know? I made sure to take pictures at every step, so I wouldn’t lose my mind putting it back together. It also helped me keep track of which part needed some extra love and care during the cleaning process. This part is my favorite, as I can see all the small parts that make up the watch.
Next, I gave all those parts a good cleaning. Years of grime and gunk had built up, so I used this special cleaning solution that’s safe for watch parts. I soaked them, scrubbed them gently, and rinsed them off. They were sparkling like new afterwards!
- Disassemble the watch carefully.
- Clean all the parts with a specialized cleaning solution.
- Inspect each part for damage.
Then came the tricky part – fixing the movement. This watch had taken a beating, and some of the tiny parts inside were bent or broken. I had to source some replacement parts, which was a challenge, to be honest. After waiting for a few weeks for the parts to arrive, I carefully replaced the damaged ones, making sure everything was aligned just right. One wrong move, and the whole thing could be ruined. But I did it!
With the movement sorted, I started reassembling the watch. It was slow going, but I took my time, double-checking every connection, and making sure all parts were put back in the right places. It was like solving a complex puzzle, but way more satisfying.
Final Touches
Finally, I polished the case and bracelet to get rid of all those scratches and dings. It was amazing to see the watch come back to its original shine. The last step was putting the movement back in the case, attaching the dial and hands, and securing everything with the case back. And then, I wound it up and listened to that beautiful ticking sound.
Honestly, the whole process was a labor of love. It took me weeks, working on it in my spare time, but seeing that 5712 back on my wrist, ticking away, made it all worth it. It’s not just a watch anymore; it’s a testament to patience, a little skill, and a whole lot of passion. Now I have a classic 5712 that looks brand new, and the satisfaction of knowing I did it myself is just priceless.
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