Alright, folks, gather ’round, let me tell you about this little project I’ve been working on. So, I got this idea to try and remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Yeah, I know, it’s a pretty fancy watch. But hey, I like a challenge.
First off, I started by doing some research. I looked up everything I could find about this watch. The Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, it’s a real beauty. It’s got this classic round case, entirely polished, about 39mm in diameter and 8.08mm thick. It is water-resistant to 30 m with sapphire crystal case back. Real classy stuff. And the movement inside? It’s a manual winding caliber 30-255 PS, with a 65-hour power reserve. This watch is based on an old model, the Reference 96, and let me tell you, it’s got a lot of tiny parts – 164 of them, to be exact.
Now, I knew I couldn’t make an exact replica. I mean, I’m not Patek Philippe. But I figured I could get something close, something that captures the spirit of the original. So, I started gathering my materials.
- I found some good quality metal for the case. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to shape it into something resembling that classic round shape.
- The movement was the hardest part. I used some old watch parts I had lying around, and let me tell you, it was a pain to put them all together. But after a lot of trial and error, I got something that kinda works. I mean, it tells time, which is the basic thing, right?
I also tried to replicate that “Clous de Paris” pattern, you know, that guilloched hobnail pattern on the bezel. It wasn’t perfect, but it added a nice touch, I think.
After weeks of work, I finally finished my little project. It’s not a Patek Philippe, that’s for sure. But it’s my own little version of it. It’s got its flaws, but it’s got character too.
Should you buy this watch?
Well, that depends. If you’re looking for a real Patek Philippe, this ain’t it. But if you want something unique, something handmade, with all its imperfections, then maybe this is for you. It’s like that old saying, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” And this watch, it’s been quite a journey for me.
In the end, it was a fun project. I learned a lot, and I got a pretty cool watch out of it. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And who knows, maybe it’ll inspire someone else to try and make their own watch. That’s what it’s all about, right? Sharing and inspiring.
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