So, I got this idea to try and remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Yeah, that really fancy watch everyone’s been talking about. I heard it’s a remake of some classic style, and it’s made of white gold. They say it’s pretty popular, going for around $30,000. It’s a lot, I know.
First thing I did was look up everything I could about this watch. I found out it’s got this round case, about 39mm across and 8.08mm thick. They really polished it up, so it shines. Inside, it’s even more complicated, with 212 parts crammed into a space that’s just 27mm wide and 3.3mm thick. That’s tiny!
I started by trying to copy the case. I got some white gold, or at least something that looks like it, and started shaping it. It took a while to get the size and the shine just right. I used a bunch of tools, some I bought, some I already had. I spent hours just polishing the thing to make it look like the pictures I saw online.
- Sourcing the Material: I found a supplier online that sells white gold.
- Shaping the Case: I used a small hammer and some files to shape the case. It was tough work.
- Polishing: I got some polishing compound and a soft cloth. I polished the case until it was super shiny.
Next up was the inside of the watch. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I figured I could try to put together something that looks like the real deal. I found some small gears and parts online. It was like a puzzle, trying to fit everything together. I didn’t get it all right, but it kinda looked like the pictures.
- Finding Parts: I searched online for tiny gears and watch parts. It was hard to find the right sizes.
- Assembling: I used tweezers and a magnifying glass to put the parts together. It was really fiddly work.
- Giving Up on Perfection: I realized I couldn’t make it perfect, so I aimed for something that looked similar.
After I put it all together, it actually looked pretty good! It wasn’t perfect, and it certainly didn’t work like a real Patek Philippe, but it was close enough for me. I wore it around for a few days, and it felt pretty cool to have made something like that myself.
What I Learned
It was a fun project, and I learned a lot about watches and how complicated they are. I don’t think I’ll be making any more watches soon, but it was a good experience. It’s amazing how much work goes into making something so small and intricate. I definitely have a new appreciation for watchmakers now.
In the end, my homemade Calatrava 6119G-001 was a decent attempt. It looked the part, more or less, and it was a fun challenge. Plus, I saved myself about $30,000, which is always a good thing! This whole thing showed me that with a bit of patience and a lot of elbow grease, you can try your hand at just about anything. And hey, even if it’s not perfect, it’s still pretty cool to say you made it yourself.
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