So, I had this crazy idea to try and remake the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5740/1. I mean, this watch is a big deal, it’s like one of those super rare ones with all the fancy stuff, you know? It’s called a “grand complication,” which sounds pretty important. I saw an original one listed for like $179,000! Can you believe that? Anyway, here’s how it went down.
Getting Started
First, I needed to get my hands on as many pictures and details about this watch as possible. I spent hours looking at it from every angle. I even found some close-up shots of the dial, the hands, and that cool little moon phase thingy. It’s a pretty complicated watch, but I was determined to figure it out.
- Scoured the internet for images and information about the Nautilus 5740/1.
- Studied the watch’s features, including the perpetual calendar and moon phase.
- Gathered all the tools and materials I thought I would need. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into, but I had a bunch of tiny screwdrivers, some tweezers, and a magnifying glass.
The Hard Part
This is where things got real. Taking apart watches is not my usual thing. I started by carefully removing the case back, which was a bit nerve-wracking. Once I got it open, I was staring at this tiny, intricate world of gears and springs. It was pretty intimidating, to be honest.
- Removed the case back with a lot of care. This was the point of no return!
- Documented every step by taking pictures, just in case I had to put it back together.
- Tried to identify the different parts, but honestly, most of it just looked like a bunch of tiny metal pieces to me.
Putting It Back Together
After taking some time to study the movement and clean all the tiny parts, I started the even more challenging task of putting it back together. I tried to reverse the steps I took when disassembling it, using the photos as a guide. Let me tell you, those tiny screws are a real pain to work with.
- Cleaned all the individual components as best as I could. I used some special cleaning solution and a soft brush.
- Reassembled the movement, carefully placing each gear and spring back in its place. This took forever!
- Tested the watch after reassembly. I held my breath and wound it up…and it actually worked! The hands started moving!
The Result
I can’t say my remake is perfect, I don’t have any original parts to compare it to, but I’m pretty proud of what I accomplished. It’s not going to fool any watch experts, but it was an amazing learning experience. This whole thing showed me that with enough patience and determination, you can take on some pretty crazy challenges.
It’s not something I’d recommend doing unless you really know what you’re doing, but I had a blast. This is definitely not an original Patek Philippe Nautilus 5740/1, and it is not worth anywhere near $179,000, but it’s a pretty cool project that I’m glad I did.
This project really tested my patience and attention to detail. It was frustrating at times, but the feeling of accomplishment when I finally got it working was totally worth it. Would I do it again? Maybe, but I think I’ll stick to looking at these beauties from afar for now!
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