So, I got this wild idea to try and remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Yeah, I know, it’s a crazy expensive watch, way out of my league. But I’ve always loved the look of it, especially that “Clous de Paris” pattern on the bezel. It’s just so classy, you know?
First off, I spent a good chunk of time just staring at pictures of the 6119R-001 online. I wanted to really get a feel for it, the details, the way the light hits that rose gold. People say it’s 39mm, bigger than the older ones. Fancy stuff. I even watched some videos of folks showing it off, talking about how it’s the “new hot thing.” They say the price of these things just keeps going up. Crazy, right?
Then came the fun part – figuring out how to actually do this. I knew I couldn’t make an exact copy. I’m no watchmaker, and I definitely don’t have access to the same materials. But I figured I could get something that captured the spirit of the Calatrava, something that looked good on my wrist.
- I started by finding a basic watch case that was about the right size and shape. Something simple, not too flashy.
- The dial was next. I found a plain white one that looked similar to the Calatrava’s. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough for me.
- Now for the tricky part – that “Clous de Paris” thing. I knew I couldn’t replicate it exactly, so I had to get creative. I experimented with a few different things like a metal punch tool.
- Then put the whole thing together. I had to be really careful not to scratch anything.
After all that work I got a result I can say I’m pretty happy with it. It’s not a Patek Philippe, but it’s got that classic vibe that I was going for. And hey, it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg!
It’s all about the feeling
I learned a lot from this little project. It’s not about having the most expensive watch, it’s about appreciating the design and the craftsmanship. And sometimes, you can get that same feeling without breaking the bank. If you’re thinking about buying one of these remake watches, maybe try making one yourself! It’s a fun challenge, and you might surprise yourself with what you can create.