Okay, let’s talk about this project I’ve been messing around with – remaking the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980. I saw this watch online and it looked like a fun challenge. I got some materials together and decided to try it out.
Getting Started
First, I grabbed a basic watch movement. It was just a simple, cheap one, nothing fancy. Then I started working on the case. I used some stainless steel I had lying around and shaped it roughly like the Nautilus. This was pretty tricky, I had to use my Dremel and some files to get the shape right. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough for a first try.
Making the Dial
Next up was the dial. This was tough. I printed out a picture of the 5980 dial and used it as a template. I cut out a piece of thin brass and painted it blue, just like the real thing. The subdials were a real pain. I ended up using some tiny watch hands I had from another project and glued them on. It looked okay from a distance, I guess.
The Bracelet
The bracelet was another story. I tried to make it out of some leftover steel, but it was a disaster. I couldn’t get the links to fit together properly, and it just looked terrible. I decided to use a leather strap instead. It wasn’t the same, but it worked for now.
Putting it Together
Finally, I put all the pieces together. I fitted the movement into the case, attached the dial, and added the hands. It was a bit of a mess, to be honest. The crown was too big, and the crystal didn’t fit quite right. But hey, it kind of looked like a Nautilus 5980. At least from far away.
Final Thoughts
This was a fun project, but definitely harder than I thought. I learned a lot about watchmaking, or at least the basics. I’m not sure I’d do it again, but it was a good experience. My homemade watch is far from perfect, but it’s unique. It’s something I made with my own hands, and that’s pretty cool.
- Would I recommend this to others? Probably not.
- Will I wear this watch? Maybe, just for fun.
- Am I going to sell it? No way, it’s a personal project.
It took me many weeks of tinkering, but I am happy with the learning experience.
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