I’ve always been a huge fan of fancy watches, you know, the ones that look like they belong in a museum or on a king’s wrist. So, I’ve been itching to try my hand at remaking one of those beauties. I finally decided to go for it and remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Sounds complicated, but I was determined, to be honest.
First, I started digging around for information about this watch. I scoured the internet. I mean, this Calatrava is pretty famous in the watch world. And I found that it’s got this “Clous de Paris” thing on the bezel, which is some kind of fancy pattern. And yeah, it’s as expensive as a small house, so remaking one is definitely the cheaper option.
I learned that the original watch is 39mm wide and about 8.08mm thick. I also discovered that the average price of it is around $24,000 on the secondary market! I definitely didn’t have that kind of cash lying around, but I think I could remake one for a whole lot less.
I began by trying to find materials that looked like the real deal. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. This watch is known for its polished look, so I needed something that could shine just right. I spent days, maybe even weeks, just hunting for the right materials. I felt like a detective, but instead of looking for clues, I was looking for metal and tiny screws.
Then came the actual assembly. This was the hardest part. I used tweezers, a magnifying glass, and a whole lot of patience. I followed some guides I found online, but honestly, it was mostly trial and error. I bent so many tiny pieces of metal, and my fingers got pretty sore, but I kept going.
- First, I worked on the watch case. I shaped and polished it until it was as close to the original as I could get it.
- Next, I focused on the “Clous de Paris” pattern. I found something similar to create a similar effect.
- Then, I carefully assembled the tiny parts of the watch movement. It is so delicate. I had to be super careful.
After many, many hours of work, and maybe a few moments of wanting to give up, I finally finished it! It wasn’t perfect, of course, and it probably wouldn’t fool a watch expert, but I was proud of it. I made a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, or at least my own version of it.
My Remake Result
It shined, it ticked, and it looked pretty darn close to the pictures of the real one I’d been staring at for weeks. It was a challenging project, but also incredibly rewarding. I learned a lot about watches, about patience, and about my own ability to stick with something even when it gets tough. Now, I’ve got a fancy-looking watch on my wrist, and I made it myself. How cool is that?
Click to consult