So, I got this crazy idea to remake the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980. I mean, who doesn’t love that watch? I started by scouring the internet for any info I could find on it. Checked out their official site, which basically told me where to find legit dealers. You know, the usual stuff. Only those listed on their site are authorized, blah blah blah.
Then I dove into some watch forums, and boy, did people have opinions on the 5980 1AR-001. It’s a two-tone watch, which some folks aren’t crazy about, but I think it’s a beauty, especially with that blue dial. I spent hours just looking at pictures of it. Gorgeous, right?
I dug deeper and found out that Patek expanded the 5980 line with the 5980/1AR back in 2013 at Baselworld. I even compared prices for the 5980/1400G-010 on some site. I just wanted to get a feel for what’s out there, you know?
The Guts of the Thing
The 5980 is powered by this automatic cal. 28-520 C flyback chronograph movement. Sounds fancy, huh? I’m not a watchmaker, but it sounded impressive. Reading about it made me appreciate the craftsmanship even more.
After Watches & Wonders, it seemed like Patek was moving in a new direction. But the Nautilus 5980/1A, with its flyback chronograph, that’s a classic.
Getting Down to Business
First, I started sketching. I’m no artist, but I tried to capture the basic shape of the Nautilus. That unique subdial layout, the case, the bracelet—everything. It looked rough, but it was a start.
Next, I started thinking about materials. I couldn’t use the same stuff as Patek, obviously. I’m not made of money! So, I looked for alternatives that could give me a similar look and feel without breaking the bank. I even thought about using some 3D printing for certain parts. It’s amazing what you can do with technology these days.
- Gathering References: I printed out tons of pictures of the 5980 from every angle. These were my bible.
- Sketching and Planning: I made countless sketches, trying to figure out the dimensions and how everything would fit together.
- Sourcing Materials: I spent days researching and ordering different materials, hoping they’d work out. It was a lot of trial and error.
- Prototyping: I started with the case, using a combination of metal and 3D-printed parts. It was tricky, but I learned a lot along the way.
Putting it all together was the hardest part. I had to be super precise, or it would all look wonky. It took weeks of tinkering, adjusting, and starting over, but slowly, it started to resemble the Nautilus. I even managed to create a working chronograph, though it’s not as smooth as the real deal.
In the end, I had something that looked pretty darn close to a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980. It’s not perfect, but I made it with my own two hands, and that’s something, right? This whole process taught me a ton about watchmaking, design, and patience. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a heck of a ride, but a fun one. Plus, now I have a cool watch to show off, even if it’s not a real Patek.
Click to consult