Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project. This time, I set my sights on something really fancy – the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1. You know, that watch with the diamonds on the bezel that screams luxury? Yeah, that one. I’ve always been a fan of the Nautilus line, with its unique shape and that cool blue dial. So, I thought, why not try to remake one myself?
First things first, I needed to gather some intel. From what I could find online, the real deal is made of white gold and costs more than a small car. Prices for these watches are all over the place, anywhere from $28,000 to over half a million! But on average, you’re looking at about 101 grand. Insane, right? I obviously wasn’t going to use real white gold or diamonds. I just wanted to capture the look and feel of the watch.
I started by studying the design. The Nautilus 5713/1 has a 40mm case, and it’s pretty sleek. The blue dial has a date window, which is a nice touch. I knew I couldn’t replicate it perfectly, but I wanted to get as close as possible with the materials I had on hand.
My materials?
- Some stainless steel for the case and bracelet
- A cheap quartz movement I picked up online
- A blue watch face that sort of matched the Nautilus’s vibe
- And some shiny little stones to mimic the diamonds on the bezel
I got to work on the case first. Shaping the stainless steel was tough. It’s not exactly the easiest material to work with, but after a lot of hammering and filing, I managed to get that signature Nautilus shape. The bracelet was another beast. Each link needed to be shaped and polished, and then there was the clasp. I went with a simple fold-over clasp instead of the twin-trigger one because, let’s be honest, that was way beyond my skill level. I wanted to keep it somewhat classy and keep it somewhat in the realm of what I could actually do, rather than completely botch the whole thing.
The dial was relatively easy. I found a blue face that had a similar hue to the original and even had a date window. It wasn’t an exact match, but it did the trick. The hands were also from the quartz movement kit, nothing special, but they looked decent enough.
Now, for the bling. I carefully glued the little stones around the bezel, trying to space them out evenly. It was tedious work, but seeing it come together was really satisfying. From a distance, it actually looked pretty convincing! And also, the stones were light enough to where it didn’t really add any weight or bulk to the overall feel of the watch, which was surprising to me.
Putting it all together was the final step. I carefully placed the movement into the case, attached the dial and hands, and sealed it all up. Then, I connected the bracelet, and there it was – my very own “Nautilus 5713/1.”
Of course, it’s nowhere near the quality of a real Patek Philippe. It doesn’t have the craftsmanship, the materials, or the prestige. But it’s a fun project that I’m proud of. It’s a conversation starter, and honestly, it looks pretty cool on my wrist.
This whole thing was a great learning experience. It gave me a new appreciation for the work that goes into making luxury watches. Would I do it again? Maybe. There are other models I’ve got my eye on. But for now, I’m happy with my homemade Nautilus. It’s a reminder that sometimes, it’s not about having the real thing, but about the journey of creating something yourself. Peace out, everyone!
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