Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with watches for a while now, and let me tell you, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, it’s like the holy grail for us watch nerds. I finally decided, “Screw it, I’m gonna try to remake one.” Not to sell or anything, just for the kick of it. The challenge, you know?
First off, getting info on this thing was a pain. Patek keeps everything super hush-hush. But, after digging around, I found out they make like, 246 different models or something crazy like that. So the 5711 is rare, like, really rare. And the price? Forget about it. I saw some listed for over a million bucks online! Absolutely nuts.
But I wasn’t gonna let that stop me. I started by grabbing a bunch of pictures from everywhere, auction sites, forums, you name it. I focused on this blacked-out 5711 that I saw Bamford had customized—super sleek, loved the look. It was my muse.
- Gathering Reference: I hit up every corner of the internet. Forums, auction sites, even those Japanese sites talking about some special edition for a charity thing. Found one special, a unique Ref.5711 with special carvings for a charity celebration held by Phillips in * is so cool.
- Deconstructing the Design: I spent hours, days even, just staring at these pictures, trying to figure out every little detail. The shape of the case, the way the bracelet links together, the texture of the dial… it’s insane how much goes into these things.
- Sourcing Materials: This was a whole other beast. I needed stainless steel, but not just any stainless steel. It had to be the right grade, the right finish. I ended up contacting a few suppliers, getting samples, comparing them to the pictures.
- Finding a Movement: I wasn’t about to make a fake Patek movement, no way. So I decided to use a decent automatic movement from a reputable maker. It wouldn’t be the same, but it would keep time, and that’s what matters, right?
- Crafting the Case: This was the hardest part, hands down. I used a combination of 3D printing and metalworking to create a prototype case. Then I started refining it, over and over again. I messed up, so many times.
After countless tries, I finally had a case that looked pretty darn close to the real deal. But I needed to do that blacked-out finish like the Bamford one. I experimented with different coatings, trying to get that matte look just right. It took a few attempts, but I eventually got it. Man, it looked good.
Next up, the dial. I managed to find a blank dial that was close enough in size, and I carefully painted and finished it to match the Nautilus’ style. The hands were tricky, but I found some that were similar enough, and I modified them a bit to get them closer.
Finally, the bracelet. I ended up making it piece by piece, which was a total nightmare. But after a lot of trial and error, I had a bracelet that looked and felt pretty similar to the original.
The Moment of Truth
Putting it all together was nerve-wracking. I was so afraid I’d mess something up after all that work. But, slowly and carefully, I assembled the watch. And you know what? It actually worked! It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But it looked like a Nautilus 5711, and it was ticking away on my wrist.
This whole project was insane. It took me forever, cost me a bunch of money, and drove me crazy at times. But I did it. I made a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, well, kind of. It’s not the real thing, but it’s something I built with my own two hands, and that’s pretty cool, I think. I learned so much during this journey. And it became a unique mark in my life.
Would I do it again? Probably not. But I’m glad I did it once. It’s a reminder that even the most complicated things can be broken down and understood, piece by piece. And hey, now I’ve got a one-of-a-kind watch that’s a pretty good conversation starter.
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