So, I’ve been obsessed with the Patek Philippe Nautilus 7011/1 for a while now. I mean, who isn’t? It’s a gorgeous watch, but the price tag? Forget about it! That’s when I started thinking, “Why not try to remake one myself?” It sounded crazy at first, but I was determined.
First things first, I needed to find a good base. You know, something that wouldn’t totally break the bank but still had a decent movement and overall look. I spent hours, days even, scrolling through forums, and watch marketplaces. I finally landed on a pretty good candidate. It wasn’t perfect, but it had potential.
Next, I dove into research mode. I studied every single detail of the Nautilus 7011/1. I’m talking close-up photos, videos, articles, anything I could get my hands on. I needed to understand the case shape, the dial details, the bracelet, everything. This part probably took the longest, but it was crucial to get it right.
- The biggest hurdle was the dial. That signature horizontal embossed pattern is so unique.
- I experimented with different techniques, different tools, even considered reaching out to some custom jewelry guys in Australia to see if they could help, but no luck.
- Ultimately, I found a way to mimic the pattern using a specialized tool. It wasn’t easy, and it took a lot of practice, but I was pretty happy with the result.
Then came the hands and indices. I sourced some aftermarket ones that were close enough in shape and style. I spent a lot of time in the work room where I work, Polishing the hands and applying the correct color of luminous paint. It was tedious, but it made a huge difference in the overall look.
The bracelet was another challenge. I initially tried to modify the original bracelet, but it just wasn’t working. So, I ended up getting a custom-made one that matched the Nautilus’s integrated design. This set me back a bit financially, but it was worth it. And my wife was really mad at me for spending so much on my little project.
Finally, after weeks of work, I assembled the watch. Seeing it all come together was such a rewarding experience. I swapped out the original dial for my custom one, installed the new hands and indices, and attached the new bracelet.
The end result? It’s not a perfect replica, of course. There are still some subtle differences, but honestly, I’m incredibly proud of it. It captures the essence of the Nautilus 7011/1, and it’s a watch that I built with my own two hands. It’s been on my wrist for the past couple of weeks, and I catch myself staring at it all the time. Even my wife has come around to it. She’s not mad any more. And when I have some spare cash again, I want to do another one. Maybe I’ll get it even closer to the real deal next time.
So, what is the moral of the story? I don’t know. But, if you’re passionate about something, don’t be afraid to try the impossible!