Okay, so I’ve been wanting to mess around with watches for a while now, and I finally took the plunge. I decided to try my hand at remaking a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, you know, the classic style. That watch is just so damn sleek, but the price tag? Forget about it. It’s always been a dream watch for me. So, I thought, why not try to make one myself? Not an exact copy, but something that captures that same vibe.
First off, I started digging around online. I read a ton of forums and watched a bunch of videos. I found out that a lot of people think the best way to go is to mix parts from PF and PPF, these are just factories that make replica parts. Some folks even mentioned 3KF, saying they might eventually make the best replica. But for now, I figured I’d stick with the PF/PPF combo since it seemed like the most cost-effective route.
I ordered a bunch of parts online. It felt a little sketchy, to be honest, but I went for it. I got a stainless steel case and bracelet, just like the 5711/1A. I also found a blue dial, because that’s the classic look, right? The original is 40mm, and so is this case. I wanted to make sure to keep the measurements correct. The thickness I went with was 8.6mm, which I learned is pretty standard for this model.
Then came the tricky part – putting it all together. I’m no watchmaker, that’s for sure. But I got myself some basic tools and just went for it, step by step. I had to be super careful with the dial and the hands. They’re tiny and delicate, and I definitely fumbled a few times. The original has hours, minutes, seconds, and a date function. I tried my best to replicate that, although getting the date window just right was a pain.
Here’s a basic rundown of what I used:
- Stainless steel case (40mm)
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Blue dial
- Movement (I picked a decent automatic one, nothing too fancy)
- Hands (hour, minute, second)
- Date wheel
The bracelet was another challenge. I learned that Patek Philippe spends a ton of time polishing their bracelets, and there’s a lot of steps involved. I tried to give mine a decent polish, but it’s nowhere near the quality of the real deal. But hey, it’s not bad for a first attempt.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally got the thing assembled. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. And honestly, it looked pretty damn good on my wrist. It definitely gave off that Nautilus vibe I was going for. Of course, it’s not a real Patek. I heard that Thierry Stern, Patek’s president, discontinued the 5711 because it was getting too much attention. They made a new one, the 5811, which is white gold. My version is all stainless steel, but who cares, right?
The Outcome
The whole process was a real learning experience. It made me appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these luxury watches even more. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was fun, but also pretty frustrating at times. For now, I’m just happy to have a cool-looking watch that I made myself, and it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. It’s a reminder that sometimes, you can get pretty close to the real thing with a little bit of effort and a whole lot of patience. If you are looking for something that looks like a Nautilus, this is a pretty good way to do it without breaking the bank.
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