Alright, let’s dive into this project. I’ve been wanting to remake a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5724, the specialty store version, for a while now. You know, the one that’s all flashy with diamonds and a rose gold case? Yeah, that’s the one.
First thing I did was to check out the original watch. I mean, you can’t remake something without knowing the real deal, right? From what I gathered, this baby has a 40mm case, which is a pretty standard size, but it’s the rose gold and those diamonds that make it stand out. Also found some info about pricing and where to buy the original, but we ain’t doing that. We’re remaking it!
Getting Started
So, I started by sketching out the design. Got myself a nice piece of paper and drew the watch face, the bezel, the strap, everything. I made sure to get the dimensions right – 40mm case, remember? Then, I looked for materials. Now, I couldn’t afford real rose gold or diamonds (who can?), so I opted for some alternatives.
- For the case, I found a decent rose gold-colored stainless steel. It’s not the real thing, but it looks pretty close.
- For the diamonds, I went with cubic zirconia. They sparkle just like diamonds, and no one will know the difference unless they’re a gemologist.
The Process
Cutting and shaping the case was a challenge, I won’t lie. I used a small saw and a file to get the shape right. It took a few tries, but I finally got it to look like the Nautilus case. Then, I polished it until it shone. The “rose gold” really popped after that.
Next up, the diamonds. I carefully drilled tiny holes around the bezel, just like the original. Then, I set each cubic zirconia into the holes. It was tedious work, but man, did it look good when it was done! The watch face was a bit easier. I found a grey dial online that matched the original pretty well. I just had to cut it to fit the case, which was no big deal.
Putting It All Together
Once all the parts were ready, it was time to assemble the watch. I carefully placed the dial into the case, then added the hands and the movement. For the movement, I just used a cheap quartz one. I’m not trying to fool anyone into thinking this is a real Patek Philippe. It’s just a fun project, after all.
Finally, I attached the strap. I found a brown leather strap that looked similar to the original. I attached it to the case, and voila! My very own Patek Philippe Nautilus 5724 remake was complete!
It took me about a week to finish the whole thing, working on it a few hours each day. The whole process, from finding the materials to assembling the watch, was a blast. Sure, it’s not perfect, and it’s definitely not a real Patek Philippe. But it looks pretty darn close, and I’m proud of it. It is not for sale, it is just a hobby of mine.
So, there you have it. My journey of remaking a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5724. It was a fun ride, and I learned a lot along the way. Maybe I’ll try another watch next time. Any suggestions?