Okay, so, I recently decided to try and make my own version of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Let me tell you, it was a wild ride from start to finish!
First off, I started by gathering all the materials I thought I’d need. I spent days just looking at pictures of the watch online, trying to get a feel for every little detail. I mean, this watch is a real beauty, and I wanted to get as close as I could to the original.
Then, I got to work on the case. I opted for a classic round case, with these long, kinda sloping lugs that just scream elegance. Polished the whole thing until it shined like a new penny. The bezel was the real challenge – the famous “Clous de Paris” pattern. Let me tell you, getting that right took some serious patience and a lot of do-overs.
- Case shape: Went with the classic round.
- Lugs: Long and sloping, just like the original.
- Finish: Polished the whole case until it gleamed.
- Bezel: The “Clous de Paris” pattern was a real pain, but I got it eventually!
The dial was next. I wanted that clean, classic Calatrava look, so I kept it simple. The hands were a bit tricky, I wanted to capture that three-dimensional look that the original has, but man, it was tough! Lots of trial and error here, let me tell you.
Assembling the whole thing was like putting together a puzzle where every piece had to be perfect. I spent hours just making sure everything fit just right. There were times when I thought I was going crazy, but I kept at it.
The End Result
Finally, after what felt like forever, I had my own version of the Calatrava 6119R-001. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but it was mine. I learned a ton along the way, and honestly, I’m pretty proud of what I managed to put together. I mean the original one is known for keeping its value well, but it’s so hard to get one, the waitlist is crazy! This is not as brutal as waiting for a Nautilus. Now I get to wear it and enjoy the fruits of my labor. It’s a good feeling, folks, a real good feeling. Would I do it again? Maybe, just maybe. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy wearing this baby around!
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