Okay, so, let me tell you about this little project I’ve been working on – remaking a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Yeah, the super popular one, the one that got discontinued. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out.
It all started when I stumbled upon some article talking about how the 5711 was no more. I mean, I knew it was a big deal, people were flipping them for like, a gazillion dollars, right? But I never really thought about making one myself. That article got me thinking, though. “Why is this watch so damn popular?” I asked myself. So I started digging.
First, I found some pictures, like a ton of them. Close-ups, different angles, the whole shebang. I needed to see every little detail of this thing. Then, I spent hours, maybe days, just looking at those pictures, really studying them. You know how some people are into birdwatching? Well, I was into watch-watching.
Next, I started hunting down parts. This was a real pain, let me tell you. Finding the right kind of metal, the right screws, the tiny little pieces that make up the movement. I hit up a bunch of online marketplaces, places where people buy and sell all kinds of weird stuff. Some sellers were cool, others were super shady. It was like navigating a minefield.
Once I started getting some parts in, the real work began. I had to shape the metal, polish it, make it look like the real deal. I bought some tools, watched a bunch of videos online – not necessarily about watches, but about metalworking and stuff. It was a lot of trial and error, I messed up a lot. But hey, that’s how you learn, right?
The movement, man, that was the hardest part. Getting all those tiny gears to work together, making sure it kept time. I almost gave up a few times, I’m not gonna lie. But I kept at it, tweaking, adjusting, cursing a lot.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I had something that resembled a Patek Philippe 5711. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. There were some imperfections, some rough edges. But it was mine. I made it, with my own two hands.
- Sourcing parts: I found many parts on various online marketplaces.
- Assembly process: I assembled all parts carefully.
- Challenges: The movement was really difficult to me.
- Result: Finally, I made it, although it is not 100% perfect.
It’s not about having a fancy watch, at least not for me. It’s about the process, the challenge, the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands. And yeah, it’s pretty cool to wear something that looks like a legendary watch, even if it’s just a remake.
So, that’s my story. Maybe it’s not as impressive as some other projects, but it’s something I’m proud of. And who knows, maybe I’ll try to remake another watch someday. Any suggestions?
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