Alright, let’s talk about this little project I got myself into. I’ve always been fascinated by watches, especially the fancy ones. So, I decided to try and remake one, specifically the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, which people call fancy. They say it’s got that “Clous de Paris” thing on it, very shiny and polished. Man, these things are expensive, you know, like, more than my house kinda expensive.
I started by looking up everything I could about this watch. They call it “emblematic”. I learned about its size, the materials, and how it was made. I even dug into the history of Patek Philippe and the Calatrava line. It was a lot of information to take in, but it was cool.
Then came the hard part – trying to remake the darn thing. I knew I couldn’t make an exact copy. I don’t have the fancy tools or the materials they use. So, I decided to focus on the look and feel of the watch, especially that guilloched hobnail pattern called “Clous de Paris”.
I started with the case. I found some cheap metal and tried to shape it like the Calatrava. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely didn’t look as polished as the original, but I managed to get a decent shape. Then I tried to recreate that “Clous de Paris” pattern. Man, that was tough! I used some simple tools I had lying around, and after a lot of trial and error, I got something that kinda looked like it. It wasn’t perfect, but hey, I was pretty proud of it.
Next, I worked on the dial. I printed out a picture of the Calatrava’s dial and tried to copy it as best as I could. I used some paint and a tiny brush, and I think it turned out okay. Again, not perfect, but recognizable. It’s not shiny and polished though.
For the movement, well, I just used a cheap quartz movement I bought online. I know, I know, it’s not the same as the fancy mechanical movement in the real Calatrava, but it tells the time, and that’s what matters, right?
Finally, I put everything together. It was a bit fiddly, but I managed to get it all assembled. And you know what? It actually looked pretty good! It wasn’t a Patek Philippe, but it was my version of a Calatrava, and I was proud of it.
So, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. It was a fun, challenging project, and I learned a lot along the way. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine.
- Started by researching the watch.
- Tried to remake the case and the “Clous de Paris” pattern.
- Worked on the dial, copying the original design.
- Used a cheap quartz movement.
- Assembled everything and ended up with a decent-looking watch.
If you’re thinking about trying something like this, go for it! Just be prepared for a challenge, and don’t expect to make a perfect replica. But hey, that’s part of the fun, right?
Click to consult