Okay, let’s get started. I’ve been wanting to remake a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5713/1 for a while now, and I finally took the plunge. I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit nervous at first. This isn’t exactly a cheap watch, and I didn’t want to mess it up. But, you know what? I figured, why not? Life’s too short to not take chances, right?
So, the first thing I did was gather all the materials. I mean, you can’t just start tearing apart a watch without having the right tools and parts, can you? I went online, did a bunch of searching, just trying to find the best stuff without breaking the bank. You know how it is, you want quality, but you also don’t want to sell your kidney for it.
Next, I started to disassemble the original watch. Man, let me tell you, those little screws are a pain! I was sweating bullets, making sure I didn’t lose any of them. I made sure I took pictures every step of the way so I would know how to put everything back together. That might seem like a lot of extra work, but trust me, I didn’t want to have a bunch of parts and a watch that wouldn’t work!
Disassembling the Watch
- Unscrewing: I started by carefully unscrewing the tiny screws holding the watch back together.
- Removing: Then, I carefully removed the back case, making sure to set it aside in a safe place.
- Detaching: I gently detached the movement from the watch case. It was like performing surgery, I swear!
After that, I carefully cleaned each part. This took me forever. I was using these tiny brushes and some special cleaning solution. I wanted to make sure every single part was spotless. You wouldn’t believe the gunk that can build up in a watch over time! It was wild!
Rebuilding the Watch
- Cleaning: Every single part got a thorough cleaning. I mean, sparkling clean!
- Replacing: I replaced some of the worn-out parts with the new ones I had bought.
- Reassembling: Putting it all back together was the real test. I followed my photos like a bible.
Finally, after hours of work, I put the watch back together. It was a nerve-wracking moment, I’m not gonna lie. I held my breath and wound it up. And guess what? It worked! It actually worked! I couldn’t believe it. I was so proud of myself. It was a lot of work, but it was totally worth it. Now I have a beautiful, classic watch that I remade myself. I have to say it really gives a classic feel.
I think the original design is really quite simple, but maybe that is what makes it so beautiful. The classic 3 hands are just right. Not too big, not too small.
This whole experience has taught me that you can do anything you set your mind to, even if it seems daunting at first. Just take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. I’m actually thinking about doing another remake soon. Maybe a Rolex next time? Who knows!