Hi all,
Some of you might remember me from a few years back when I was quite active in the community — especially known for offering custom datewheels for AP ROO builds and CNC milling services to bring cases closer to gen spec. So it’s fair to say I have a solid background in watch modding, building, and managing outsourced work.
Although I haven’t posted in a while, I’ve been quietly following along here and there.
My interest in reps has always gone hand-in-hand with gens — I’ve owned pieces from both Patek and AP over the years. In fact, I was lucky enough to buy a 5711 at retail back in 2016, when they were still sitting in AD windows with little attention.
Fast forward to today: I’ve since sold the 5711, but I’m now getting the itch to build one again — this time using rep parts. While there’s a ton of discussion on the 5711, 5712, and 5167A builds, I’ve noticed that questions around modding and upgrade paths still come up frequently — both here, on other forums, and on Reddit.
So I figured it might be useful to start a thread that brings together the current insights and recommendations in one place. Everything I share here is based on my own research and experience, so feel free to jump in and add your own thoughts.
This will focus specifically on high-end builds without gen parts.
Here’s what I’ve gathered so far:
- 5711
- Case: CNC case or 3KF (lugs are a bit incorrect but not that much, they correspond to the older 5711 series that were produced with the Geneva seal, ok for the unboxed logo, for the boxed logo dial the CNC case would be the best option)
- Crown: CNC case is ok, 3KF needs a recessed crown mod
- Bracelet: CNC case is ok, 3KF needs the first link mod
- Crystal: for my build I would opt for a Deep crystal, 3KF is more reflective than gen
- Dial: the latest SW dial is the best choice, sunburst on the BUFF dial is way too strong and incorrect as per gen
- Datewheel: Keylog's is the one to go for, 2nd is SW and 3rd is BUFF
- Hands: SW to match the SW dial, although I read BUFF's hands are a bit more correct to gen spec, feel free to chime in
- Movement: ACE324 with 22k rotor if you're looking for the closest to gen, PPM 324 with 22k gold rotor for a more budget friendly option
- 5712
- Case: CNC case, many are built based upon PPF but PPF has a wrong caseback construction and needs case modding to have the movement fitted. No clue how the OME case is built, could be another option.
- Crown: CNC case
- Bracelet: CNC, PPF or OME if compatible with the case used
- Crystal: for my build I would opt for a Deep crystal or stock crystal used on the CNC/OME case
- Dial: best option would be the custom 5712 dial by HillBilly, the latest SW dial is a very close second
- Moonphase: Keylog/Spongebob custom moonphase disc
- Hands: SW to match the SW dial, although I read BUFF's hands are a bit more correct to gen spec, feel free to chime in
- Movement: ACE240 with 22k rotor if you're looking for the closest to gen
- 5167a
- Case: 3KF with case mod at 9 o'clock
- Crown: 3KF seems good
- Bracelet: ZF rubber strap with ZF clasp
- Crystal: for my build I would opt for a Deep crystal, 3KF is more reflective than gen
- Dial: the latest SW dial seems to be the best choice
- Datewheel: Keylog's is the one to go for, 2nd is SW and 3rd is BUFF
- Hands: SW to match the SW dial
- Movement: ACE324 with 22k rotor if you're looking for the closest to gen, PPM 324 with 22k gold rotor for a more budget friendly option
I hope this will avoid the many questions and threads about building a modded PP.
Open to suggestions or feedback
