Alright, let’s talk about this little project I’ve been working on. It’s a remake of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey.
I started this whole thing because, well, I’ve always been a huge fan of the Nautilus. I mean, come on, who isn’t? It’s a classic. But the 5711, it’s always held a special place in my heart. I heard some rumors a few years back that Patek might discontinue the Nautilus, and I got worried. It’s like a piece of history, you know?
So, first thing’s first, I had to get my hands on some reference material. I already owned a blue dial 5711. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted to study the original one as well. Then I heard about the new 5811. I thought it is the replacement for 5711. But I don’t like it. I like the older one. I guess I’m just old-fashioned like that. I spent hours just staring at these watches, figuring out what made them tick, literally.
- I started by disassembling my old 5711, taking it apart piece by piece.
- Then, I began making sketches, drawing up plans, trying to capture every detail of that iconic design.
- Next up was sourcing the materials. This was a pain, let me tell you. Finding the right metal, the right finish, it took forever.
- Once I had all the parts, it was time to start building. I used my old tools from my grandpa, so they are kind of like antiques now.
It’s hard, I spent a ton of late nights in my workshop, covered in grime, trying to get everything just right. There were moments when I wanted to throw in the towel, moments when I thought I was crazy for even attempting this. But I kept pushing, kept tweaking, kept refining. It’s all about the details with a watch like this.
And you know what? After all that blood, sweat, and tears, I finally did it. I created my own version of the Nautilus 5711. It’s not perfect, of course. It’s got its own quirks, its own personality. But it’s mine. And it’s a tribute to a watch that I think is one of the greatest ever made.
The Result
Now, I’m not saying my remake is better than the original. Far from it. But it’s a piece of me, a piece of my passion for watchmaking. And honestly, I’m pretty damn proud of it. Maybe Patek Philippe will come out with a new Nautilus soon, maybe they won’t. But for now, I’ve got my own little piece of that legacy, and that’s good enough for me.