Alright, guys, gather ’round, ’cause today we’re diving into something special: Remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5724. Now, I’ve always been a watch guy, and the Nautilus? That’s a dream piece. But the price tag? Oof. So, I thought, why not try to remake one? Here’s how I got on with it.
Getting Started
First off, I did a ton of research. I looked up everything about the 5724, especially the 5724R-001, which is the rose gold version with all those shiny diamonds. I found some info on forums, especially about the 324 caliber movement, and even compared some deals on watch sites. Seems like finding a good clone of the movement is key, just like those Noob guys did with the Daytona. The 324 movement, from what I gather, is pretty simple and reliable, so that seemed like a good sign.
Gathering the Parts
This was the tricky part. I needed a rose gold case, and let me tell you, finding one that looked right and was the right size wasn’t easy. I also wanted to get some decent fake diamonds to match the original look. The goal was to mimic that brown dial and the baguette diamonds on the bezel and clasp. I scoured the internet, reached out to some contacts I’ve made in the watch community, and finally, I felt like I had a decent set of parts to work with.
The Movement
Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’ve tinkered a bit. I found a clone movement that was supposed to be similar to the 324. It was a bit of a gamble, but it was the closest I could get without spending a fortune. The trickiest part here was making sure it fit right in the case, but after a bit of fiddling, it actually seemed to work. This felt like a major win, let me tell you.
Putting It All Together
This is where things got interesting. I carefully started assembling the watch, piece by piece. I had to be extra careful with the dial and the hands, making sure they were positioned just right. Then came the diamonds. Now, these weren’t real, obviously, but I wanted them to look the part. It took some patience, but I managed to set them in the bezel and the clasp, just like the original. Let me tell you it was a huge pain to get right!
The Final Product
After hours of work, I finally had something that resembled the Nautilus 5724. It wasn’t perfect, of course. There were definitely some imperfections up close. But from a distance? It looked pretty darn good! The rose gold color, the brown dial, the sparkle of the fake diamonds – it all came together. I even managed to get the clasp working properly, which was a relief.
Wearing It
I’ve been wearing my homemade Nautilus for a few weeks now, and I gotta say, I’m pretty proud of it. It keeps decent time, and it’s definitely a conversation starter. People ask me about it all the time, and I enjoy telling them the story of how I put it together. It’s not a real Patek, and it never will be. But it’s a piece I made with my own hands, and that’s pretty special to me.
Would I Do It Again?
Honestly, probably not. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot. But it was also a lot of work, and it wasn’t cheap, even with the clone parts. If you’re really into watches and you enjoy a challenge, then maybe it’s worth a shot. But if you’re just looking for a cheap way to get a Nautilus, I’d say save your money and get a well-made replica from a reputable dealer. Or better yet, start saving for the real deal!
So there you have it, my adventure in remaking a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5724. It was a wild ride, but I’m glad I did it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go admire my handiwork.
- Did you manage to make your own remake?
- Let me know your story down below in the comments.
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