Alright, guys, let’s dive into this project I’ve been working on – remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1, the classic style. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m here to share all the nitty-gritty details with you.
So, I started this whole thing because, well, I’ve always been a fan of classic watches, and the Nautilus 5713/1 is one of those designs that just never gets old, you know? I mean I found the waiting list for a real Patek Philippe Nautilus is crazy long – like, up to 8 years! For a Calatrava, it’s still around a year. That’s just too much, even for a watch enthusiast like me.
I got my hands on some materials. This 18K white gold. Looked perfect for what I had in mind, but let me tell you, working with white gold is no joke. It’s tough and not easy to shape, but I was determined to make it work. And diamonds, I spent a lot of time to find the right diamonds, had to make sure they were just the right size and quality.
First off, I spent hours studying the original design. I looked at every picture, every angle I could find. The 5713/1G-010 is a masterpiece of sporty watch design. I tried to get into the mind of the original designers – why this curve, why that angle? I wanted to capture its spirit.
Then came the crafting part. I started shaping the white gold for the case. It involved a lot of careful cutting, filing, and polishing. I used all sorts of tools, trying to get that signature Nautilus shape just right. It was slow going, but seeing the case take form was super satisfying.
Setting the diamonds was another challenge. I carefully marked where each diamond would go on the bezel. Then, it was all about precision. I used a tiny drill to make the holes and then set each diamond by hand. This part was nerve-wracking, to be honest. One slip, and the whole thing could be ruined.
Next, I worked on the watch face. I decided to go for a simple, clean design, just like the original. I crafted the hour markers and the hands, always keeping an eye on the original design for reference. I wanted my remake to be as faithful as possible.
Assembling all the parts was like putting together a complex puzzle. Each piece had to fit perfectly. I worked slowly, double-checking everything to make sure it was all coming together as it should.
Finally, the moment of truth – finishing the watch. I polished it up, making sure every part was shining. Seeing my completed remake of the Nautilus 5713/1 was incredible. It looked so close to the original, but with my own touch to it.
So, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. I learned so much along the way, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. Hope you guys enjoyed this little journey of mine. Catch you in the next post!
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