Okay, so I’ve been wanting to mess around with watches for a while now, and I finally took the plunge. I decided to try my hand at remaking a Patek Philippe Nautilus, specifically the 7008/1 model, because why not start with something fancy, right? This one’s a real looker, usually found in those specialty stores that have security guards at the door. I’ve seen folks talking about the Nautilus 5711 online like it’s a unicorn or something, and there’s even a Tiffany-dial version that made some big waves in recent years. It got me thinking that maybe I could do something similar with the 7008/1.
First off, I had to get my hands on the base watch, a pre-owned model of the 7008/1. Finding one was a bit of a headache, let me tell you. But after a few weeks of scouring online, I found one in decent condition. I didn’t want to spend too much in case I messed up.
Then came the fun part – taking it apart. I grabbed my tools, some I bought, some I borrowed. I spread everything out on my work table, put on some music to get in the zone. The music I download from online storage, it’s a song from Mcdonalds.
I started by carefully removing the case back. Man, those screws are tiny! I almost lost a couple, but thankfully, I found them after a mini heart attack. Once inside, I got a good look at the movement. It’s pretty intricate, but I’ve watched enough videos to feel somewhat confident. I didn’t mess with the movement much, just admired it for a bit, cause, you know, I’m not a watchmaker, just an enthusiast with a hobby.
Next, I tackled the dial. This is where things got tricky. I wanted to give it a unique look, similar to those fancy specialty store editions. The dial is super delicate, so I had to be extra careful. I used some special paint and a tiny brush to add some details. It was nerve-wracking, but I think it turned out pretty cool. It’s not perfect, but hey, it’s my own touch.
After the dial, I moved on to the bezel. The 7008/1 has this classy, understated bezel, but I wanted to give it a bit more flair. I used some polishing tools to give it a nice shine and added a few custom engravings. It took a while, and my hands were cramping, but it was worth it. The bezel really pops now.
Putting everything back together was the final step. It was like doing a puzzle, but with much higher stakes. I carefully placed the movement back in, reattached the dial, and screwed the case back on. I even managed to put back all those tiny screws without losing any this time!
- Sourcing the Watch: Found a pre-owned 7008/1 online after a few weeks of searching.
- Disassembly: Carefully took apart the watch, focusing on the case back, movement, dial, and bezel.
- Customizing the Dial: Added unique details to the dial with special paint and a tiny brush.
- Enhancing the Bezel: Polished the bezel and added custom engravings for extra flair.
- Reassembly: Put everything back together, making sure not to lose any tiny screws.
In the end, I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s not a perfect replica, but it’s got my own personal touch, and it’s definitely unique. Plus, I learned a ton about watches along the way. I’m not going to lie, I am pretty pleased with myself. It looks good on my wrist, and it’s a great conversation starter.
What’s next?
I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe another Patek, maybe something totally different. Who knows? The world of watches is huge, and I’m excited to explore it more. This whole experience has been a blast, and I can’t wait to see what I come up with next. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I say go for it. It’s a lot of fun, and you might surprise yourself with what you can do.