Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with watches lately, and I thought, why not try to remake one? I picked the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Yeah, I know, it’s a super fancy watch, way out of my league, but I figured it would be a fun project. They say this watch is special ’cause it’s got some fancy stuff called “Clous de Paris”.
I started by, like, really looking at pictures of the real deal. This thing is shiny, polished, rose gold, you know, the whole nine yards. They say it’s 39mm wide and 8.08mm thick, seems not too heavy. So I got some materials, not real gold, of course, just some stuff that looked kinda like it. I found these little gears and things online, not sure if they’re the right ones, but they looked close enough.
Tearing Things Apart
First, I took apart an old watch I had lying around. Just wanted to see how it all worked, you know? It was kinda cool seeing all those tiny parts moving together. I watched some videos online about how to put a watch together. It seemed kinda tough, but not like, rocket science tough.
Putting It All Together
Then came the hard part – putting it all together. I tried to follow the pictures of the real Patek Philippe, but man, it was tricky. Those little screws are a pain, and my hands are definitely not as steady as a watchmaker’s. I messed up a few times, had to redo some parts, but slowly, it started to look like a watch. I used a case that’s the same size as the real one, 39mm. Didn’t have the right tools for that fancy Clous de Paris pattern, so the bezel on mine is just plain. Also, I think the real one has 164 parts inside, but mine has way fewer.
- Sourcing Parts: I started looking around for parts that looked kinda like the ones in the Patek. Found some online, not sure if they’re the exact same, but close enough.
- Case Work: Found a rose gold-colored case, 39mm, just like the real one. It was a bit tricky to work with, but I managed.
- Movement Assembly: This was the hardest part. I tried to follow the pics of the Patek movement, but man, it was tough. I think I messed up a few times, but hey, it’s ticking now!
- Dial and Hands: The dial was a simple white one. I used some basic hands, nothing fancy. Getting them on straight was a challenge, let me tell you.
- Finishing Touches: I put a simple strap on it. The real one probably has some super expensive leather, but mine’s just a regular one.
The Result
So, the final product? Well, it doesn’t look exactly like the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. It’s definitely bigger, the details are off, and it probably doesn’t keep time as well. But, you know what? It’s mine. I made it. And it kinda looks like a fancy watch, at least from far away. Plus, it tells the time, which is pretty cool. It’s not perfect, it doesn’t keep time great, and it’s not as pretty as the real one. But it’s mine, I made it, and that’s something, right?
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but it was also pretty fun. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, just be patient and don’t expect to make a masterpiece on your first try. And maybe don’t pick a watch that costs more than a house to remake!
So if you are thinking about buying a remake one, just be aware it’s not gonna be the real deal. But hey, if you like the style and don’t wanna spend a fortune, maybe it’s for you.
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