Alright, let’s talk about this watch project I just wrapped up. I decided to remake a Patek Philippe, specifically the Calatrava 6119R-001 model. Yeah, the one they call the “Clous de Paris” because of that fancy pattern.
First off, I got my hands on some decent materials. This thing is supposed to be shiny and polished, so I made sure I had some good quality metals that could give that luxurious look. It wasn’t cheap, mind you. These materials cost me quite a bit, but hey, you can’t skimp on quality when you’re trying to recreate something this fancy.
Then, I started working on the design. I studied a bunch of pictures of the real Calatrava 6119R-001, especially focusing on that “Clous de Paris” pattern. It’s this intricate, guilloched hobnail design, and it’s a real pain to get right. I spent hours just practicing getting that pattern down.
- Measured everything out. The real deal is 39mm in diameter and 8.08mm thick. I tried to stick as close to those measurements as I could.
- Worked on the movement. The original has a manual winding caliber 30-255 PS with a 65-hour power reserve. I didn’t have the exact same parts, but I got something similar that could do the job. It was a challenge, but I managed to put it together.
- Polished and finished the case. This was the fun part. Seeing it all come together, shiny and new, was pretty satisfying. I even managed to get a sapphire crystal case back on it, just like the original.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally finished it. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s got that luxurious feel, and the “Clous de Paris” pattern looks decent. I wouldn’t say it’s as good as the real thing, but for a homemade project, it’s not bad at all.
I wore it around for a few days, and honestly, it felt pretty good on my wrist. It’s definitely a conversation starter. People keep asking me if it’s a real Patek Philippe. I just laugh and tell them it’s my little project.
So yeah, that’s my story about remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. It was a lot of work, but I learned a ton, and it was a fun challenge. If you’re into watches and have some time on your hands, I’d say give it a shot. Just be prepared to spend some money and a lot of time on it!
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