Nightmare modding story of a PPF 5712 V2 - and what can you learn (watchmaker Harleysta91)

[jm_brc_7057]

I am sorry to hear that, brother. Gen 5712a moonphase is hard to source. I had similar situation before, that moonphase prob not easy to swap. years ago, sent that to SpongeBob, he scrathed that too , but we worked that out and since then he has been my go-to watch mod for Patek.

Hope you get your 5712a soon!

Yeah. That genuine moon phase dream has burst for me 1.5 years ago. So now what can be salvaged. Hopefully. Thanks buddy

 

[peterpl]

Wow. This whole story is completely bonkers. Cant believe something like this could even eventuate.

I hope it all gets sorted out for you.

This is the most difficult part of this hobby is finding a trustworthy watchmaker that can perform high quality work and wont stuff up. I've had my own experiences in the past with previous trusted watchmakers on here and other forums.

 

[drstrangeph]

I am sorry to hear that, brother. Gen 5712a moonphase is hard to source. I had similar situation before, that moonphase prob not easy to swap. years ago, sent that to SpongeBob, he scrathed that too , but we worked that out and since then he has been my go-to watch mod for Patek.

Hope you get your 5712a soon!

Spongebob is very good compared to other Asian modders out there. But I think with Euro members they need Euro modders? For customs purposes.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

Spongebob is very good compared to other Asian modders out there. But I think with Euro members they need Euro modders? For customs purposes.

Yeah. You need to find a way around customs. Otherwise you need to pay for the declared value. But sometimes they open packages. So it’s a bit problematic.

 

[drstrangeph]

Yeah. You need to find a way around customs. Otherwise you need to pay for the declared value. But sometimes they open packages. So it’s a bit problematic.

I see, what courier should the sender use? I heard best is through registered airmail.

I hope your issue gets sorted out, I just read the oascom issue too, sad.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

I see, what courier should the sender use? I heard best is through registered airmail.

I hope your issue gets sorted out, I just read the oascom issue too, sad.

I am not sure. I usually get reps from Trusty via registered airmail via Germany. I’m not sure how they do it.

Yeah. Sad. Thanks buddy.

 

[italym21]

I’ve personally known Harleysta91 since 2017. He was one of the few people making ARF mods for Noob Daytonas, and one of the first to work on newly released movements, where experience was key. Genuine movements come with standardized technical schematics, while replicas are always different—sometimes partially compatible, varying greatly in quality.

He was the first person I knew to work on modding the 5711 3K, and he even made one for me. I’ve been wearing it for years, and it’s still perfect—something many others can’t claim, as their watches eventually stop working.

I’ve seen him speak with great technical expertise, and he even made me a 5712 with complex mods.

When it comes to franken projects, frustrations and high expectations shouldn’t be taken out on the watchmaker. Precision mechanics always involve human error, even in genuine watch assembly.

I swear, a friend of mine bought a genuine Patek 5172G and discovered that the movement was missing a screw, which caused the chronograph to malfunction. It’s now been in service for five months!

So, based on my experience with Harleysta91 and the replica world, I would recommend being more tolerant and understanding.

 

[Fizzbuzz]

So, based on my experience with Harleysta91 and the replica world, I would recommend being more tolerant and understanding.

Two years go by and my definiton of tolerance & understanding no longer exist.
Plus, at one point just wanted his belongings back and harleysta does not (of course) reply.

I mean, tolerance & understanding are out of the window at this point, with all due respect

 

[McDuck888]

I would recommend being more tolerant and understanding.

The man has been very tolerant and understanding, for literally years.

 

[Mjh2k4]

@Caboose have you made a fake genuine rep watch for this yet? Or are you still waiting on the meteorite dial to go with the missing phalange in the 5712 movement that’s coming back from China?

 

[derjenigewelcher]

Why are lot of watchmakers after years of good work seem to change into dickheads and human tradh when it comes to pull money and dancing limbo. Wtf

 

[MeasurementCraft]

Two years go by and my definiton of tolerance & understanding no longer exist.
Plus, at one point just wanted his belongings back and harleysta does not (of course) reply.

I mean, tolerance & understanding are out of the window at this point, with all due respect

Exactly what I was going to say.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

An update!

I received a watch today together with some parts. It has a keylog74 moon phase installed in it. Other than that it’s a stock v4 ppf.

My SW dial is missing!!! After waiting 2.5 years I lost a genuine Patek moon phase, which was destroyed by said watchmaker and also my SW dial is missing. This is truly incredible.

Below are pictures. You be the judge. Look at the rounded markers on the dial I sent him in September 2023:



And now look at the sharp markers and colours of the dial installed in the watch he sent me and the parts he sent me. No signs of my SW dial.








This is truly unbelievable. I thought that I give it the benefit of the doubt and let him finish the watch. In the end this is what I get for that. Bent over once again.

 

[Fizzbuzz]

Weeelp, he probably ruined your dial due to incompetence and replaced it with whatever was easy for him to replace.
Jesus, the audacity of this guy.

Good luck man, I hope you get your money back.

 

[Autobús]

Truly sorry. Extremely disheartening.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

Weeelp, he probably ruined your dial due to incompetence and replaced it with whatever was easy for him to replace.
Jesus, the audacity of this guy.

Good luck man, I hope you get your money back.

Seems probable. Unfortunately!

Truly sorry. Extremely disheartening.

Thanks buddy. I believed him. He said he has installed the parts before sending the watch. And then the watch and parts arrive and the SW dial is missing. It’s incredible I think. How can you lie in front of the mods, when you are a forum trusted watchmaker.

 

[jm_brc_7057]

Hopefully last update in this thread before it’s deleted:

He’s proposed to pay for the SW dial and I’ve accepted that. As a courtesy i’ve suggested to close this thread when the money is received.

I want to get over with this issue. Source a new SW dial and see if I can get it installed.

The deal was that he will do the mods (case polish/bevel lugs/bracelet polish and installation of sw dial/keylog74 moon phase) for free because he destroyed my moon phase.
Now he’s installed the moon phase but my SW dial is missing. And he hasn’t done any mods.

So i used 1755€ and 2.5 years to sit back with a stock ppf with a keylog74 moon phase.
It’s insane how he’s f***ed me.

 

[JaceBeleren]

I don't think you should delete the thread, it contains important information for people in the future who may be deciding on getting a modded 5712.

 

[C Master]

I don't think you should delete the thread, it contains important information for people in the future who may be deciding on getting a modded 5712.

We do not delete threads. So once something is posted it stays.

 

[solidliquid123]

I have edited my original post