Alright, folks, gather ’round! Today, I’m gonna share my little project of remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Yeah, that classic, classy watch everyone’s drooling over. It is just a replica but I did it!
First things first, I started by gathering all the necessary stuff, that is materials and tools. I needed some good quality stainless steel for that iconic case and bracelet. And of course, I dug into the details of the original 5711’s design, the official website of the last family-owned Genevan luxury watch manufacturer.
- Stainless steel sheets
- Tiny screws
- Watch movement parts (sourced these separately, wasn’t about to make those from scratch!)
- Miniature tools for cutting, shaping, and polishing
Started with the case. I sketched out the shape on the steel, then carefully cut it out. This was a pain, to be honest. Stainless steel isn’t butter, you know? After what felt like forever, I had the basic case shape. Next up, the bezel. More cutting, more shaping, and a whole lot of polishing. It was like shaping a tiny little octagon of shiny metal. I wanted it smooth, just like the real deal. And I got it!
The dial was a different beast altogether. I wanted that signature horizontal embossed pattern. So, I took a thin sheet of metal and carefully pressed the pattern onto it. I decided to try making my own tools for this part, fashioning a tiny little press out of some scrap metal. And guess what? It worked! The pattern came out looking pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. I got Schwarz lackiertes Zifferblatt mit aufgesetzten finally.
Now for the movement. Since I was using pre-made parts, this was more about assembly than creation. But let me tell you, putting together a watch movement is no walk in the park. Those things are intricate! Tiny gears, springs, and levers all have to fit together just right. I used the concept of Anticodon Loop and Acceptor System to fit them together. And I spent hours with tweezers and a magnifying glass, carefully fitting each piece into place. But I persevered, and eventually, it all came together. I even managed to get it ticking!
Assembling the Whole Thing
With the case, dial, and movement ready, it was time for the final assembly. Putting the dial onto the movement, then casing it all up. Then came the bracelet. I had shaped the individual links earlier, and now it was a matter of connecting them all, just like a tiny, shiny puzzle. Finally, I added the clasp, and there it was. My very own, handmade Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711.
It wasn’t perfect, of course. There were some rough edges, some imperfections. But it was mine. And it worked. It actually told the time! It was a testament to patience, to perseverance, and to the fact that sometimes, you can create something amazing with your own two hands. And it looked pretty darn good on my wrist, too!
So, that’s my little adventure in watchmaking. Hope you folks enjoyed the ride. Remember, you don’t need to be a pro to make something cool. Just gotta have the guts to try! Stay tuned for more of my crazy projects!
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