Alright, let’s dive into my little project here. I’ve been eyeing the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 for a while now – you know, the classic one. It’s a beauty, but let’s be real, it’s way out of my league, price-wise. So, I thought, why not try to remake one myself? A bit ambitious, maybe, but hey, it’s worth a shot, right?
I started by looking around for any information I could find on remakes or replicas of the 5711. I stumbled upon some stuff about Bamford remakes, especially a blacked-out version that caught my eye. Black dial, black PVC coating – it looked pretty slick. But I wanted to stick to the classic style, so I kept that in mind as a reference point.
Gathering Intel
First things first, I needed to understand what makes the 5711 tick, literally. From what I gathered, the original has a 40 mm stainless steel case and an automatic movement, the caliber 26-330 S C. Fancy stuff. I knew I wouldn’t be able to replicate that exactly, but I wanted to get as close as possible in terms of looks and feel.
I spent hours, maybe even days, browsing through forums and articles. I learned that Patek Philippe discontinued the 5711, which made it even more of a legend. I also found some discussions about replicas, which, honestly, made me a bit nervous. I wasn’t looking to make a counterfeit, just a homage to the classic design.
The Design Process
With a basic understanding of the watch’s specs, I started sketching. I’m no artist, but I tried my best to capture the iconic shape of the Nautilus. The octagonal bezel, the horizontal grooves on the dial – those were the must-haves. I decided to use stainless steel for the case, just like the original, because why not stick to some classics?
- Sketched the basic design, focusing on the octagonal bezel.
- Decided on stainless steel for the case material.
- Researched the dial design, aiming for the classic horizontal grooves.
Sourcing Materials
This was tricky. I’m not exactly a watchmaker, so finding the right parts was a challenge. I looked for a decent automatic movement that wouldn’t break the bank. I found a few options online, but I was in uncharted territory here. As for the case and dial, I reached out to some suppliers who make parts for custom watches. It was a long shot, but I managed to get my hands on a stainless steel case that resembled the Nautilus shape.
- Searched for an affordable automatic movement.
- Contacted suppliers for custom watch parts.
- Secured a stainless steel case similar to the Nautilus.
Putting It Together
Assembling the watch was… an experience. Let’s just say there was a lot of trial and error. I had to modify the case a bit to fit the movement I got. The dial was another hurdle. I ended up painting it myself, trying to recreate those signature grooves. It wasn’t perfect, but it had that handmade charm, I guess.
- Modified the case to fit the chosen movement.
- Hand-painted the dial to mimic the classic grooves.
- Assembled the watch with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
The Final Result
After weeks of work, I finally had something that resembled the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. It wasn’t a perfect replica, not even close. But it was my version of it, a tribute to the classic design. It felt pretty good on the wrist, I must say. The weight, the look – it was close enough to give me a taste of what it would be like to own the real deal.
So, that’s my journey of remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 classic style. It was a fun, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding project. Would I do it again? Maybe. It’s definitely a unique piece in my collection, and it taught me a lot about watches and my own DIY skills. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!
Click to consult