So, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a classic watch, something timeless, you know? I finally decided to take the plunge and recreate the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. It’s a beauty, with that Clous de Paris, or hobnail, pattern on the bezel.
First off, I spent days just staring at pictures of this watch. I mean, it’s a 39mm white gold case, which is a bit bigger than the older versions. I started to find some real white gold that’s just the right size, 39mm. It was not easy, but I finally found something that would work.
Then came the real challenge. I got my hands on some top-notch materials. The movement, gotta be manual winding, just like the original. I found it. It was not easy to do it! I can tell you, that I spent hours in my workshop, and finally got it done! It’s so rewarding to do it yourself.
Next up, those hour markers. They’re faceted and applied, made of white gold, of course. And the hands, gotta be dauphine-style. Took me a while to get those right, but I managed. I carefully applied the hour markers and those beautiful hands. Man, it’s looking good!
I’ll admit, I messed up a couple of times. One time, I nearly ruined the whole thing when I was trying to get the hands. But hey, that’s part of the process, right? You learn from your mistakes. I did some research and figured out what I was doing wrong. Had to order another one, but it was worth it. It cost me a lot, but well, you can’t put a price on perfection.
And then, the moment of truth. I put everything together, wound it up, and there it was. A pretty decent remake of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. It is just like a dream comes true! I put all my heart and all my effort into it.
I even wore it out to a dinner with some friends. They couldn’t believe I made it myself. A friend even offered to buy it off me, but nah, this one’s a keeper. It’s not just a watch; it’s a piece of art that I made with my own hands.
Honestly, this whole experience has been incredible. It’s not just about having a nice watch at the end. It’s about the journey, the process, the challenge. I did it by myself! I made it! Would I do it again? Absolutely. In fact, I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe a rose gold version, who knows?
- Sourcing the Materials: Getting my hands on the right white gold and movement was a challenge.
- Detailing: Applying those faceted hour markers and getting the dauphine-style hands just right took some serious patience.
- Assembly: Putting it all together was the most nerve-wracking part.
- The Result: Seeing it complete and on my wrist was an incredible feeling! It’s amazing and fantastic!
So, yeah, that’s my story. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s more than just a hobby; it’s a passion. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll even start selling these bad boys. But for now, I’m just enjoying the process and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful with my own two hands.
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