I recently got into watches, and let me tell you, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, it’s a real beauty. The stainless steel version, especially the 5711/1A-001 with that blue dial, just caught my eye. So, I thought, why not try to remake one myself? It seemed like a fun project, and I was itching to get my hands dirty.
First things first, I started by gathering some information online. I read that the original has this cool rounded octagonal bezel and a porthole case design. And that dial, it’s got this horizontal embossed pattern that’s just unique. It’s no wonder this watch has been around since 1976, right?
Then, I started looking for parts. I needed a case with that same octagonal shape, and it had to be stainless steel. Luckily, I found a place online that sold watch parts, and they had just what I was looking for. The dial was a bit trickier. I wanted to get that embossed look, so I ended up getting a plain blue dial and trying to emboss it myself. It wasn’t perfect, but I think it turned out pretty decent for a first try.
The bracelet was another challenge. I learned that the original 5711/1A-001 was later updated to the 5711/1A-010, which had some small changes to the bracelet links. I tried to find something similar online, but it was tough. Eventually, I settled for a standard stainless steel bracelet that looked close enough.
- Getting the case: I searched and searched, and finally found a suitable one.
- Working on the dial: This was the hardest part, but I managed to get a somewhat similar look.
- Finding a bracelet: Not exactly the same, but it does the job.
Putting it all together was the most satisfying part. I carefully assembled the case, dial, and movement. It took a few tries to get everything aligned just right, but I finally got it. Then, I attached the bracelet, and there it was, my very own, homemade Patek Philippe 5711! It might not be perfect, and it’s definitely not a real Patek, but I’m pretty proud of it. I wear it all the time and think, “I made that!”
This whole project taught me a lot about watches and how they’re made. It was a fun challenge, and I’m already thinking about what I want to try to remake next. Maybe a Rolex? Who knows! It is an exciting journey for me.
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