Alright, folks, let’s talk about my little project here – remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Now, this watch, it’s something else. It’s been around since the 70s, and it’s just one of those classic designs that never gets old.
I started by looking into the history of the Nautilus. Patek Philippe, you know, they’re one of the oldest watchmakers around, been doing this for almost 200 years. And the Nautilus, it’s one of their big ones. They were hit hard by that whole quartz thing in the 70s, where those cheap, accurate quartz watches started taking over. So, Patek Philippe needed something new, something to stand out.
That’s where this guy Gerald Genta came in. Legend has it, he was sitting in a restaurant, saw these guys from Patek Philippe, and just sketched out the Nautilus on a napkin. I mean, can you imagine? A napkin! And that’s how the Nautilus was born.
The first step is to get all the detailed information about 5711. Then try to make a draft and mark all the specific information like dimensions and angles, etc. Then use software to make a 3D model and print it out. After that, using the 3D model as a mold to make the watch case and other parts. Assemble all the parts together, then polish and adjust all the details, and it’s done. It was a long journey, but I did it.
I got into the design. The Nautilus, it’s got this rounded octagon bezel, that porthole case construction, and the horizontal lines on the dial. It’s sporty, but it’s also classy, you know? I wanted to capture that. I spend a lot time to do the research.
Then I started thinking about how to remake it. Patek Philippe, they discontinued the 5711, saying they’re making something even better, the 6711. I heard they were also coming out with some new model, the Cubitus, in 2024, with this square case. I figured, why not try my hand at making a 5711, just to see if I could do it?
I looked at a bunch of different Nautilus models, just to get a feel for the variations. Different materials, different dials. It’s a whole world in itself.
My Process:
- Research: I dug into the history, the design, everything I could find about the Nautilus.
- Design: I tried to capture the essence of the 5711 in my own design, keeping that classic look but adding my own touch.
- Materials: I experimented with different materials to get the right look and feel.
- Making and Assembly: This was the hard part. Getting everything to fit just right, it took a lot of trial and error, but I managed to put together a pretty decent replica. It’s not perfect, but I learned a lot.
It’s been a fun ride, remaking this iconic watch. It’s not the real deal, of course, but it’s a little piece of that history, and I’m pretty proud of it.
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