Okay, so I saw this thing online about remaking a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” I mean, those watches are crazy expensive. It’s like, who actually buys those? There was this one comment I saw, someone saying there are like 246 different models of these watches. Seriously, 246? That’s insane!
Anyway, I started by looking up this watch, the 5711. It’s sleek, it’s fancy, and it’s way out of my budget. I saw some prices online, and my jaw just dropped. I remember seeing one for over 63,000 dollars, free shipping though, like that makes it a deal. It’s nuts!
First thing I did was try to find some good images of the watch. I needed to see every little detail, you know? The shape, the dial, the hands, everything. I spent hours just scrolling through pictures. Then, I started sketching. Yeah, good old pencil and paper. I’m no artist, but I tried my best to copy the design. It was harder than it looked, man. Those designers at Patek Philippe, they’re the real deal.
After sketching, I thought, “Okay, how do I actually make this thing?” I decided to use this 3D modeling software. It was tough. I’m not super techy, but I watched a bunch of tutorials online and started messing around with the tools. It was a lot of trial and error, moving points, shaping curves, trying to get that smooth, polished look of the Nautilus.
Building the watch body
- Started with a basic shape: I began with a simple block, kind of like a digital lump of clay.
- Refined the shape: I pushed and pulled, stretched and squeezed, until it started to resemble the watch case.
- Added details: I carved in the lines, the curves, those little details that make the Nautilus so recognizable.
The dial was another beast. I had to create those tiny hour markers, the hands, and that subtle texture on the face. It was like doing miniature surgery with my mouse. I’d zoom in so close, my eyes started to hurt. But I kept at it, layering shapes, adding colors, trying to match the real thing as close as possible.
Creating the Dial
- Laid out the markers: I placed those tiny rectangles for the hours, and those little dots for the minutes.
- Designed the hands: I made sure they were the right shape, the right length, and had that classic Patek Philippe look.
- Added texture: I tried to replicate that iconic horizontal pattern on the dial. It’s not perfect, but it’s something.
Then came the bracelet. Oh boy, the bracelet. It’s made of these individual links, all connected together. I modeled each link, one by one, and then linked them together. It was tedious, like putting together a tiny metal puzzle. But seeing it come together, link by link, was so satisfying.
After days of work, I finally had a 3D model of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. It’s not perfect, it’s a bit rough around the edges, but it’s mine. I even rendered some images, played with the lighting, and made it look somewhat realistic. It was a fun project, a real challenge, but also a good way to appreciate the craftsmanship of these luxury watches.
Someone mentioned something about buying from a trusted dealer. Man, if I had the money, maybe. But for now, I’m happy with my little digital version. It’s like that quote I read, “Rob has been banging the drum about Laventure since day dot. People didn’t seem too interested for a long time, but now.” Yeah, I get it now. There is something fascinating about these watches, even if I can only afford to make a digital copy. This whole process taught me a lot about design, about details, and about the insane world of luxury watches.
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