Okay, so, I was browsing online the other day, and I stumbled upon this really cool watch – the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Man, that thing is a beauty! But, you know, the price tag? Astronomical! Definitely way out of my league. But it got me thinking, “Could I maybe… remake it?”
So I started to dig around. I spent hours looking at pictures, watching videos, just trying to get a feel for the thing. I mean, this watch is iconic. You can recognize it from a mile away with that octagonal bezel. I was determined to replicate every detail, from the way the bracelet links fit together to that subtle horizontal embossing on the dial.
First, I needed to find a base watch. Something with a similar shape, at least. After a ton of searching, I found a cheap quartz watch online. It wasn’t perfect, but the case had a somewhat similar vibe. Once it arrived, I got to work. I took the whole thing apart, carefully removing the hands, the dial, everything. It was pretty nerve-wracking, to be honest. I was so afraid of breaking something.
Sourcing the Right Parts
- Dial: This was the trickiest part. I wanted that signature blue, and I needed it to have that horizontal texture. I ended up finding a custom dial maker online and sent over some reference photos. It took a few weeks, but the dial they sent back was surprisingly good!
- Hands: The 5711 has these really unique hands, so I had to find replacements. I searched through tons of watch parts websites until I finally found a set that was close enough.
- Bezel: The original bezel is brushed and polished, a very specific combination. I spent days polishing the cheap watch’s bezel with different grades of sandpaper and polishing compounds. It was tedious work. My fingers were raw by the end!
- Bracelet: The bracelet on the Nautilus is a work of art. I knew I couldn’t replicate that exactly. I did find a decent stainless steel bracelet online, though. It wasn’t the same, but it had a similar feel.
Once I had all the parts, it was time to put it all together. This was the most exciting part! I carefully placed the new dial onto the movement, then attached the hands. Then I fitted the modified bezel, and finally, I attached the new bracelet. The moment I put it on my wrist, I was like, wow, this actually looks pretty good!
It’s definitely not a Patek Philippe, but it’s my own little homage to the 5711. And the best part? I made it myself! It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. This project was a blast, and I think that it is not bad for me.
For anyone who’s thinking about doing something like this, go for it! It’s a great way to learn about watches and have some fun with a little DIY project. Just be prepared to spend some time and maybe get a few blisters along the way.
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