Alright, folks, gather ’round. I’ve been tinkering with watches for, like, forever, and there’s one that’s always been the dream: the Patek Philippe Nautilus. Specifically, the 5713/1 in white gold. This thing’s a beauty, with a diamond bezel, but it is also a discontinued model from 2009. I mean, we’re talking major bucks if you can even find a real one. So, I thought, “Why not try to remake one myself?”
First things first, I spent days, maybe even weeks, just staring at pictures of the 5713/1 online. I needed to get every little detail down. The way the light hits those diamonds, the texture of that black-blue dial, the specific shade of white gold… it all had to be perfect.
Sourcing the Parts
This was the real headache. Finding parts that looked legit was tough. I started with the case. After scrolling through countless online stores, I finally found a 40mm white gold case that was a pretty decent match. It wasn’t cheap, but hey, we’re chasing a dream here, right?
- Case: 40mm 18K white gold, found it online after, like, a million years of searching.
- Dial: This was tricky. I ended up getting a plain black-blue dial and planned to add the embossed details myself. Bold move, I know.
- Hands and Hour Markers: Found some luminescent ones that looked the part. Another win!
- Movement: I’m not made of money, so I went with a decent automatic movement. It is not the same as the original, but it gets the job done.
The Messy Part (aka the Actual Remake)
Okay, so here’s where things got interesting. Putting a watch together is way harder than it looks. First, I carefully placed the hands on the movement. Then came the dial, I used a tiny brush and some special paint to create that embossed effect. It wasn’t perfect, but it had that handmade charm, you know?
The hour markers were easier, thank goodness. I just had to carefully glue them onto the dial. Then came the real test: attaching the dial and movement to the case. It was a delicate operation, like performing surgery on a tiny robot. I managed to get it in there without breaking anything (major victory!).
Finally, I attached the white gold bracelet. It was a pain, but the final look was worth it. I mean, it didn’t fool any experts, but from a distance, it looked pretty darn close to the real Nautilus 5713/1.
The last touch? The diamonds. I opted for some good-quality cubic zirconia because, again, I’m not a millionaire. I carefully set them around the bezel, and bam! My very own remake Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1 was born.
The End Result
So, there you have it. My journey to remaking a legend. It was a bumpy ride, full of frustration and tiny screws, but I did it. It’s not a genuine Patek, obviously, but it’s a piece I’m proud of. It’s a reminder that even the most out-of-reach dreams can be, well, remade, in a way. And honestly, wearing it around makes me feel like a million bucks, even if it only cost me a fraction of that.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go stare at my wrist some more. Peace out!
Click to consult