Alright, folks, let me tell you about my little project I’ve been working on – trying to remake the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, just like the ones you’d find in the official flagship store. It’s been a wild ride, so buckle up.
It all started when I stumbled upon some info about this watch online. I mean, who hasn’t heard of the Nautilus 5711? It’s that steel model with the octagonal shape and the blue dial, right? But did you know how rare these things are? It has a unique engraved pattern. I read somewhere that the price for these things was over $131,504 in 2022. Now, it’s down to around $89,404. Still a hefty sum, if you ask me. It is very difficult to own it.
So, first things first, I needed to find a decent base watch. Something that at least resembled the Nautilus in terms of shape and feel. After scouring through countless online stores and local shops, I finally found one that fit the bill. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
Get a similar one.
Next up, the dial. Oh boy, the dial. Getting that signature blue color right was a nightmare. I tried all sorts of paints and finishes, but nothing seemed to match the original. I even tried mixing different shades of blue, but it just wasn’t the same. Finally, after weeks of trial and error, I stumbled upon a small craft store that sold a special kind of paint that, when applied correctly, gave me that perfect Nautilus blue. I did it!
Engraved
- Then came the fun part – the engraving.
- I’ve always been decent with my hands, so I figured, why not give it a shot?
- I bought a small engraving tool online and started practicing on some scrap metal.
- It took a while to get the hang of it, but eventually, I was able to replicate the signature pattern on the case of my base watch.
Assembling everything was a bit tricky, but with a steady hand and a lot of patience, I managed to put everything together. And let me tell you, seeing the finished product for the first time was something else. Sure, it wasn’t a real Patek Philippe, but it was close enough. And for a fraction of the price, I couldn’t complain.
Now, I’m not saying my little remake is anywhere near the quality of a genuine Nautilus 5711. But hey, it’s a fun little project, and it’s something I’m proud of. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. Whenever someone asks me about my watch, I get to tell them the whole story of how I made it. And let me tell you, people are always impressed.
So, there you have it. That’s the story of how I attempted to remake the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. It was a long and challenging journey, but in the end, it was totally worth it. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real deal. But until then, I’ll be rocking my homemade version with pride.
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