Okay, so, I saw this Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726, the stainless steel one with the annual calendar and moon phase, and I thought, “I gotta try remaking this.” It’s got this slick blue dial, super simple but classy. I’ve always been a fan of the Nautilus, and this one’s no exception. It’s the kind of watch that just got more popular over time, you know?
First things first, I started gathering all the parts I needed. I went online and found some folks selling parts that looked pretty close to the real deal. It was like a treasure hunt, but for watch parts. I also dug up some close-up photos of the 5726, just to make sure I had a good idea of what every little detail looked like.
Starting with the Dial
The dial was probably the trickiest part. I got this blue dial that was a similar color, but getting the texture right was a real pain. I spent hours trying different techniques, using tiny brushes and what not, trying to get those horizontal lines just right. It was tough, but after a lot of trial and error, I finally got something I was happy with.
Assembling the Case and Movement
Next, I worked on the case. I found a stainless steel case that was pretty much a dead ringer for the Nautilus’s shape. Then came the movement. Now, I’m no expert watchmaker, but I managed to get my hands on a decent automatic movement that fit the case. Assembling it was like putting together a really complicated puzzle. I used a bunch of tiny screwdrivers and tweezers, trying not to lose any of those super small screws. I also had to be really careful not to damage the movement while I was at it. It was slow going, but eventually, I got it all together.
Adding the Bracelet
- The bracelet was also a bit of a challenge.
- I got a stainless steel bracelet that looked like the Nautilus one.
- I had to adjust the size and make sure it fit the case properly.
- Fitting the clasp was also tricky, but I got it done.
Finishing Touches
Finally, I added the hands and the date and moon phase indicators. The hands were easy enough to attach, but the date and moon phase were a bit more complicated. I had to make sure they were aligned properly and that they worked with the movement. It took some fiddling, but in the end, I got them working.
Man, this whole project took way longer than I thought it would. But you know what? Holding the finished watch in my hand made it all worth it. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty darn close to the real Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726. I’m really proud of how it turned out, and it’s definitely a conversation starter when I wear it out. It felt good knowing the effort I put in. And I definitely learned a lot about watches along the way.
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