Okay, let’s talk about my latest project, I tried to remake a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, the original order version. It was a real challenge, but also pretty fun. I’ll walk you through what I did, step by step.
First off, I gathered all the parts I needed. I got some of the parts online, and some I found at local watch shops. It was like a treasure hunt, trying to find the right pieces that looked and felt just like the original. Getting the movement parts took some time – had to make sure they were the right size and quality. It felt like solving a big puzzle, but it was pretty satisfying once I had everything laid out.
- Collecting the case and bracelet: I looked for a stainless steel case and bracelet that matched the Nautilus’s unique shape. Finding a good match was tough, but I finally found one that was almost perfect.
- Sourcing the dial and hands: The blue dial is iconic, so I needed to find one that had the right color and texture. The hands had to be just the right length and shape too. I ended up ordering a few different dials before I found the right one.
- Finding the right movement: This was the hardest part. I wanted a movement that was reliable and had the same functions as the original. After a lot of research, I settled on a decent automatic movement that fit the bill.
Next, I started assembling the watch. I carefully put the dial and hands onto the movement. This part was delicate. I had to be super careful not to scratch anything. Then, I placed the movement into the case and secured it. It was like building with really tiny LEGOs, but much more fragile.
After that, I attached the bracelet to the case. This was a bit tricky because the Nautilus has an integrated bracelet, meaning it’s part of the case design. I had to make sure the links fit perfectly and the clasp worked smoothly. It took some adjusting, but I finally got it right. It’s like, when you finally get that last piece of a jigsaw puzzle to fit – that’s the feeling.
Once everything was assembled, I tested the watch to make sure it was working properly. I wound it up and watched the hands move. I checked the date function and made sure the crown operated smoothly. There were a couple of minor adjustments I had to make, but overall, it was working great. I wore it around for a few days, just to make sure everything was running smoothly. It felt pretty awesome to wear something I had built myself.
Final Touches
Finally, I did some polishing and finishing to make the watch look as close to the original as possible. I used some special tools to polish the case and bracelet, giving it that nice, shiny look. I also made sure all the screws were tight and the watch was water-resistant. I am not a pro at this, just did what I could, but the result was surprisingly good. At least, good enough for me.
In the end, I was pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s not a perfect replica, but it’s a cool watch that I built myself. It’s a reminder that with a little patience and effort, you can create something special. And, honestly, the whole process was a blast. It’s like when you bake a cake from scratch – it might not be perfect, but it’s yours, and that makes it special.
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