I’ve been messing around with watches for a while now, and let me tell you, the Patek Philippe Nautilus is one of those that always catches your eye. I mean, it’s iconic, right? But the price tag? Oof. So, I thought, why not try to remake one myself? I decided to go for the 7008/1 model ’cause it’s just so darn classy.
First things first, I did some digging. I looked at a ton of pictures of the real deal online. I needed to see every little detail, you know? The size, the shape, the way the light hits the dial. Then I searched for some prices, it always starts from $43, crazy price! Also, I started looking up authorized retailers. And what I found is pretty much in line with what I expected. There are not many of them and there is no way I can easily get an original one. It would be easier to get a good deal on a used one.
I found some information about the movement of the Nautilus 7008/1, the Calibre 324 S C. Apparently, it’s got 29 jewels, 213 parts, and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It even has a 45-hour power reserve. And the real one? It’s made of steel, and it’s water-resistant. It even says it’s scratch-resistant, which I thought was pretty cool.
Then came the hard part – actually making the thing. I started by sketching out the design, getting all the measurements as close as I could. I mean, we’re talking about a 33.6mm case here, so precision is key. I managed to find a decent case and bracelet online that looked similar enough. It wasn’t steel, but it had a nice weight to it.
The dial was a whole other story. I found a plain white one and got to work. I printed out a tiny Patek Philippe logo and carefully glued it on. Then, I used some fine-tipped markers to draw the hour markers and hands. It took a few tries, but I finally got something that looked halfway decent. Also, I saw on eBay that some people are selling used ones for over $14,000. If I wanted to do something serious, I had to get it for a much better price.
Putting it all together was the most nerve-wracking part. I used a cheap quartz movement I had lying around, just to get it ticking. I carefully placed the dial, attached the hands, and put the whole thing in the case. And you know what? It actually worked! It wasn’t a Patek Philippe, not by a long shot, but it was my own little creation, and it looked pretty good on my wrist.
Now, I’m not saying it’s a masterpiece or anything. There are definitely some rough edges. The logo is a bit crooked, the hands are a little shaky, and it’s definitely not water-resistant. The market value of the original is around $93,000, a bit too much. But hey, it was a fun project, and I learned a lot. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into these luxury watches.
What’s Next?
I might try to refine it a bit more. Maybe find a better movement, try to make a more accurate dial, or even get a steel case. Who knows? But for now, I’m pretty happy with my little homemade “Nautilus.” It’s a reminder that you don’t always need a ton of money to enjoy the things you love. Sometimes, a little creativity and elbow grease are all it takes.
This whole thing was a blast. It made me think about why these watches are so popular. It’s not just about telling time; it’s about the design, the history, and the feeling you get when you wear one. And even though mine is a cheap knockoff, it still gives me a little bit of that feeling. Just a little.
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