Today, I wanted to share a little project I recently dove into: remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1G. This isn’t something I do every day, but I got this crazy idea and just had to see it through.
First off, I spent a ton of time just staring at pictures of the original 5713/1G-010. You know, the one with the white gold and that killer diamond-set bezel from 2009? It’s discontinued, which makes it even more tempting to try and recreate.
Getting Started
I started by gathering all the materials. Now, I wasn’t going to use real white gold or diamonds, obviously. That would be insane. Instead, I found some pretty decent alternatives that could give a similar vibe without costing an arm and a leg. I focused on the basics: the case, the bracelet, and that iconic blue dial with the date function.
The case was the first big hurdle. The original is 40 mm and made of white gold. I managed to find a stainless steel case that was close enough in size and had a similar feel. It didn’t have the same heft, but it looked the part.
Dial and Movement
Next up was the dial. This was tricky because I wanted that deep blue color to really pop. I experimented with a few different materials until I found a metallic blue paint that looked just right. I carefully applied it to a plain dial base and added the date window. It wasn’t perfect, but it captured the essence of the original.
For the movement, I knew I couldn’t replicate the self-winding caliber 324 S C, but I got my hands on a reliable automatic movement that would do the job. Fitting it into the case was a bit of a challenge, but after a few adjustments, it was ticking away nicely.
Bezel and Bracelet
The diamond-set bezel was the next project. I found some cubic zirconia stones that had a good sparkle and arranged them carefully around the bezel. It took a lot of patience and a steady hand, but the end result was pretty convincing. It wasn’t the real deal, but it definitely had that eye-catching shimmer.
The bracelet was another challenge. The original is also white gold, so I used a stainless steel bracelet with a similar link design. I polished it up to give it a nice shine, and it matched the case pretty well. It didn’t have the same weight, but it looked good and felt comfortable on the wrist.
Putting It All Together
With all the pieces ready, it was time to put it all together. This was the most satisfying part. I carefully assembled the watch, making sure everything fit perfectly. The dial went in first, followed by the hands and the movement. Then, I attached the bezel and the bracelet. It was a delicate process, but I took my time and made sure every step was done right.
Here’s what I ended up doing:
- Found a stainless steel case similar to the 40 mm white gold original.
- Painted a dial with metallic blue paint to mimic the original’s color and added a date window.
- Used an automatic movement that fit the case and kept good time.
- Set cubic zirconia stones around the bezel to replicate the diamond look.
- Polished a stainless steel bracelet to match the case and give it a luxurious feel.
When I finally finished, I was pretty proud of what I had made. It wasn’t a perfect replica, but it captured the spirit of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1G. It was a fun project that taught me a lot about watchmaking and the art of imitation. I might not be a professional watchmaker, but this little experiment was definitely worth the effort. Hope you guys found this interesting. Maybe it’ll inspire some of you to try your own DIY projects. You never know what you can create until you try!
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