Okay, so, today I started tinkering with the idea of remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5722, the classic style. This watch, man, it’s got that sleek, instantly recognizable look. I have been wanting to get my hands on it for ages.
First off, I started by digging into what makes the Nautilus tick. I read up a bunch on the history, the design, all that jazz. The waiting list is wild – like 8 years or something. This is a very long time!
Then, I researched what real ones look like. I saw that Authentic Patek Philippe watches are perfect. Everything is printed just right, super even and all. And they don’t have those tourbillon things on the dial, except for the skeleton models.
So, I got down to sketching out the design. I grabbed some photos of the 5722 online and started trying to replicate that iconic rounded octagonal bezel and the porthole case. Man, getting those shapes right is tough! But it’s a lot of fun, too. I was trying to get the proportions just right, you know? It’s all about those little details.
After that, I moved on to the dial. The Nautilus has this horizontal embossed pattern that’s super cool. I tried a few different techniques to mimic that texture. I even messed around with some clay to see if I could get a good mold, but that didn’t go so well. Finally, I decided to use some textured paper, and that seemed to do the trick. I cut it carefully and stuck it on the dial base. It looked pretty darn close, if I do say so myself.
- Sketching the Design:
- Tried to copy that famous rounded octagonal bezel.
- Focused on getting the porthole case design right.
- Spent hours just trying to get the proportions perfect.
- Working on the Dial:
- Tried to mimic that horizontal embossed pattern.
- Experimented with clay to make a mold, which was a total mess.
- Ended up using textured paper, which worked great.
- Cut it carefully and stuck it on for that signature look.
Next up was the movement. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I wanted to at least give the illusion of a working movement inside. This is not easy. I found an old quartz watch and took it apart. I cleaned up the parts and arranged them in a way that looked somewhat like the Patek Philippe Calibre 315 SC. I know it’s not the same, but hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Putting it all together was the most satisfying part. I carefully assembled the case, the dial, and the faux movement. I even managed to find a sapphire crystal-like piece to use as the watch glass. Modern Patek Philippe watches use sapphire crystals. I put on a simple black strap to finish it off.
The Final Result
The final result? It’s not a Patek, obviously, but it’s got that Nautilus vibe. I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out, especially for a first attempt. It’s not going to fool anyone into thinking it’s the real deal, but it’s a cool piece to have on my desk. Plus, it was a blast to make. I learned a ton about watch design and got to flex my creative muscles. It was a good day.
If you’re into watches or just like making stuff, I’d say give it a shot. It’s a fun project, and you might surprise yourself with what you can come up with. I did!
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