Patek Philippe modding guide - 5712/5711/5167a

[grillbrill]

Hi everyone
First I wanna Thanks for this top post
I have one question. I m planning to built something big.
What is the Best olive Green dial ?
SW or is there a best one now ?
Best regards

The best is the gen. SW or Buff are good enough.

 

[JamesJW]

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:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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

Thank you so much for preparing this summary.

While for many of the regulars here it is probably just a summation of widely known info, but for those of us considering our first custom build you just saved us many hours of research.

I am going ahead with my first ever modded reps: i am going to start with a 5711 and then proceed to an AP 15xxx or *maybe* a 26240. I am planning on using some gen parts on the AP and need to figure out my budget. Not going to go $10k for a rep.

Now I need to find a modder.

I had a number of fruitful and informative exchanges with a well regarded modder who I was about to engage; had just received payment details and was in the process of moving some of my funds around. Unfortunately our discussion rapidly devolved to the point where I took his advice to find another modder with which to work.

I have no resentment towards this individual: I fully understand that those who do the very best work are oversubscribed and can pick and choose with whom to work, and just ascribe this to a personality clash.

I was also woefully unprepared and I am certain he viewed me as a likely time waster. And while thats on me, after three messages that I felt needed to be prefaced with "my apologies" I decided I wasn't comfortable apologizing a fourth time to someone I was paying several thousand USD.

At this stage I have concluded that before engaging someone new I should be at the point where my first message is "I want xxx with a yyy case, zzz dial and aaa hands and the bbb modification. Please advise prices and a quote for ccc and ddd services, estimated delivery time and provide me with payment details."

I *think* I know who the top three or four regarded modders are and anticipate pulling the trigger within the week. But perhaps it would serve this thread (and me) well if we started a comprehensive list of reputable PP modders?

Hopefully we can avoid both shilling and insulting? Just a list of names as a starting point for further research?

And thanks again!

 

[2841]

Finding a good watchmaker is difficult. Most on the forum are over worked, some are highly overrated and some just don’t have the skills to work on PP and AP.

 

[APFAN888]

@Edgematic
Any advice about this one ? For me it s top.
But What do you think about ?
Thanks
Anthony

Custom Made PP Nautilus 5712 （Final customized version） - AMO Watch

This model is based on the PPF factory's 5712 V4 version. The middle case of the watch is replaced to be consistent with that of the genuine product. The dial

biao6688.com

 

[dubfordstyling]

Does anyone have any experience with CNC bracelets for the 5712? Are they any better than the PPF versions and if so, any TD's that offer just the bracelet rather than the case and bracelet combined?

 

[fletch512]

@Edgematic
Any advice about this one ? For me it s top.
But What do you think about ?
Thanks
Anthony

Custom Made PP Nautilus 5712 （Final customized version） - AMO Watch

This model is based on the PPF factory's 5712 V4 version. The middle case of the watch is replaced to be consistent with that of the genuine product. The dial

biao6688.com

I've been looking at this one, myself. For those wanting a free sprung movement and all the pros and cons that come with that, this particular combo from AMOWatch seems to be the best bang for your buck. I'm particularly impressed with the custom case, which has the nicest detail and engraving of any 5712 I've seen, other than much more expensive "CNC" offerings from modders. The VVS moon phase seems to me to be an upgrade to the SW version. Gold rotor, if true, is a nice touch.

It's expensive, but if this is the watch you're looking for, the mods here are as good as it gets.

 

[2841]

I've been looking at this one, myself. For those wanting a free sprung movement and all the pros and cons that come with that, this particular combo from AMOWatch seems to be the best bang for your buck. I'm particularly impressed with the custom case, which has the nicest detail and engraving of any 5712 I've seen, other than much more expensive "CNC" offerings from modders. The VVS moon phase seems to me to be an upgrade to the SW version. Gold rotor, if true, is a nice touch.

It's expensive, but if this is the watch you're looking for, the mods here are as good as it gets.

You would still need to fix the 6 o’clock hour maker on the SW dial

 

[The Croc]

You would still need to fix the 6 o’clock hour maker on the SW dial

Yeah that’s for sure

 

[APFAN888]

@The Croc @2841
thanks for your reply. happy to talk about this custom with 5712 lover.
what do you talk about fix the 6 o’clock hour maker on the SW dial ?
I don't see what is the problem.
thanks

 

[The Croc]

Look at post #20 by 2481. The indicator at the 6 o’ clock position on the dial you referenced would need to be replaced to match that of the gen.