Alright, let’s talk about this watch project I’ve been working on. I’ve always been a fan of those fancy Patek Philippe watches, especially that Calatrava 6119G-001. That thing is a beauty, but way out of my budget. So, I thought, why not try to remake it? It might not be the real thing, but it’s a fun challenge.
First, I needed to get an idea of the design and components of the watch. I looked up the Patek Philippe collection and did some research online to find the watch. That’s all the information I need, simple.
Disassembling and Measuring:
- I started by taking apart a spare watch I had lying around. I know, it’s not a Patek Philippe, but it’s got the basic parts I need. Carefully, I removed the case back, the crown, and the movement.
- Once I had the movement out, I took a bunch of measurements. The diameter, the thickness, the position of the hands—everything. I jotted down all these numbers because they’re gonna be crucial later.
Finding Similar Parts:
- Now, I know I won’t find the exact same parts as a Patek Philippe. But I can get close, right? I started searching online for parts that matched the measurements I took.
- I found a movement that was pretty similar in size. It’s not a fancy Swiss movement, but it’ll do the job. Then I looked for hands that looked like the ones on the Calatrava. Found some decent ones after a bit of digging.
- The case was a bit trickier. I ended up using a case from another old watch I had. It’s not the same shape, but it’s close enough. I had to do some filing and sanding to make the movement fit properly.
Putting It All Together:
- With all the parts ready, it was time to assemble the watch. I started by putting the movement into the case. Then, I carefully attached the hands. This part was a bit nerve-wracking because the hands are so tiny.
- Next, I put the dial on. I actually printed out a picture of the Calatrava dial and glued it onto a blank dial I had. It’s not perfect, but it looks pretty good from a distance.
- Finally, I put the case back on and attached a new strap. I chose a leather strap because that’s what the Calatrava has.
The Final Result:
So, there it is—my homemade version of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. It’s not a perfect replica, but it’s got the same basic look and feel. And you know what? I’m pretty proud of it. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a ton of money to enjoy a nice watch. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of creativity and some elbow grease.
It was a fun project, and I learned a lot about watchmaking along the way. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford a real Patek Philippe, but for now, this little project will do just fine. It’s a conversation starter, that’s for sure. People always ask me about it, and I get to tell them the whole story of how I made it. Pretty cool, right?
Anyway, that’s my watchmaking adventure. Hope you enjoyed hearing about it. If you’re thinking about trying something similar, go for it! It’s a rewarding experience, even if your watch isn’t perfect. Just be patient, take your time, and have fun with it.
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