Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project. This time, I decided to take on something a little more… luxurious. Yeah, I’m talking about trying to remake a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1, straight from their official flagship store. Sounds crazy, right? I know, I know, those things are like, the price of a small house, but hey, a guy can dream… and try to make stuff.
So, first things first, I needed to really study this watch. I mean, REALLY study it. I spent hours looking at pictures, videos, anything I could find about the 5713/1. I even visited a Patek Philippe official flagship store, and played dumb, saying I am interested in that watch, just to get a closer look and feel it in person. I tried it on, got the feel for the weight, the details, everything. Let me tell you, that thing is a beauty. The way the light hits that bezel…man.
- Gathering References: This was key. I needed as much visual information as possible. I saved tons of images.
- Getting Tools: I had to make sure I had all the right tools for this. I purchased a new set of micro-screwdrivers and some polishing cloths.
- Finding Materials: This was the tricky part. I obviously couldn’t use the same materials as the real deal, so I had to find alternatives that looked and felt similar. I found some metal plates that matched the original.
Next up, I started planning. I carefully draw the design on paper. I spent days doing this, trying to get every detail as accurate as possible. Once I was happy with the blueprint, I started to work on the actual watch.
I decided to start with the case. I found a supplier that sold some pretty decent stainless steel blanks that were kind of the right shape. I took my time, but I am not a metal worker. Cutting and shaping the metal was tough, and I definitely messed up a few times. But I learned a lot, and after a few tries, I got something that resembled the Nautilus case, at least the general shape.
The Dial and Movement
The dial was another big challenge. I mean, the real 5713/1 has this beautiful gradient blue dial with those diamond hour markers. Recreating that was… well, let’s just say I tried my best. I used a thin sheet of metal for the base and tried to find some tiny rhinestones to use as hour markers. I even tried to paint the dial to match the original’s color. I had to repaint it several times, but I finally got a blue that was kind of close. Not perfect, but close.
As for the movement, let’s be real, I’m not making a working movement from scratch. I got a cheap quartz movement online and focused on making it fit inside my homemade case. Not glamorous, but it tells the time, and at least, it looks like a watch.
Finally, the bracelet. That iconic integrated bracelet is a huge part of the Nautilus’s appeal. I found some metal watch straps online that had a similar link design. I had to modify them quite a bit to get them to fit my case and to look right, which took me a few days.
Putting it all together was like the final boss battle. I carefully assembled everything, trying not to scratch anything. It was nerve-wracking, but seeing it all come together was so satisfying.
And there it was, my “Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1.” Of course, it’s nowhere near the real thing. It doesn’t have the same weight, the same feel, the same… anything, really. But it’s mine. And I made it. It’s a reminder that even though something might seem out of reach, you can always try to create your own version of it. It might not be perfect, but the process of trying, learning, and making is what really matters. Plus, I can now kind of understand what goes into making these luxury watches. It’s a whole different level of craftsmanship. Hope you all enjoyed this little project journey! Catch you in the next one.
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