Alright, let me tell you about this little project I got myself into. I decided to try and remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. You know, that fancy white gold one. I saw it online, looking all slick and polished, and I thought, “Why not?”
So, I started by looking up everything I could about this watch. Found out it’s got this “Clous de Paris” thing on the bezel. Looks complicated, but I’m not one to back down from a challenge. Got some pictures, some specs, learned it’s a manual winding type and this particular model is from 2021.
I gathered all the materials I could find that were similar to what they used. I mean, I wasn’t about to use real white gold, but I found something that looked pretty close. Then, I got to work on the case. It was tough, I won’t lie. Trying to get that shape just right took a few tries. But I kept at it, shaping and polishing until it started to resemble the real deal.
- First, I worked on the case, which was a real pain, trying to get that shape right.
- Then, the dial. That was another headache, with all those tiny details.
- The hands were super tricky too, so small and delicate.
The movement was a whole other beast. I managed to find a simple movement that would fit inside. It’s not as fancy as the one in the real Patek, but it does the job. It’s a manual one, just like the original, so that’s something.
The real challenge was that “Clous de Paris” pattern. I tried a few different methods to recreate it, and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. I ended up using some tools and techniques that I think got pretty close. It’s not perfect, but it’s got that textured look.
Putting It All Together
After a lot of trial and error, I finally had all the pieces ready. I carefully assembled everything, making sure it all fit together nicely. Seeing it come together was a real thrill. And there it was, my very own handmade Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001.
It’s not the real thing, of course. But I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It was a lot of work, a lot of learning, and a lot of fun. Plus, I got to tell people I made my own Patek Philippe. How cool is that?
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