Okay, here is a sharing post about my experience imitating a Richard Mille RM 07-01 Carbon TPT Classic Style watch:
Alright, let’s talk about watches. I’ve always been a watch guy, but those high-end ones? Forget about it, way out of my league. But hey, a guy can dream, right? So, I got this wild idea to try and make my own version of a Richard Mille. Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy. But I was like, “Why not?” I picked the RM 07-01 Carbon TPT Classic Style because it looked cool, and I figured it would be a fun project. This was a few months back, by the way.
First, I did some digging online. I needed to know what this watch was all about. Turns out, the real one has this special Carbon TPT case. It’s like, super strong and light. I also learned that the size is 45.66 x 31.4mm – pretty specific, huh? I jotted down all these details, like a detective or something.
Next, I started gathering materials. Now, I couldn’t get my hands on actual Carbon TPT. That stuff is probably top-secret or something. So, I went with some regular carbon fiber sheets. I thought, “Close enough, right?”
Here’s how I tackled the project:
- Case Construction:
I found some carbon fiber sheets online. Then I drew the shape of the RM 07-01 case on them, using the dimensions I found earlier. I had to be super careful, you know? It is like cutting out paper dolls, but way more intense. I got a friend help me operate the machine to get the shape I needed.
- Dial Design:
The real RM 07-01 has a transparent dial. I thought that was pretty neat, so I wanted to mimic that. I found some clear plastic sheets and cut them into the shape of the dial. It was tricky, but I managed. Then, I used some tiny, tiny tools to draw the watch markings on it. My hands were cramping, but it was worth it, I guess.
- Movement Magic:
Okay, this was the hardest part. I’m no watchmaker, so I just bought a cheap quartz movement online. I figured, as long as it tells time, that’s good enough for me. Fitting it into the case was a challenge. It took some tinkering, but I eventually got it in there.
- Strap Struggles:
For the strap, I just used a black rubber strap I already had. I had to cut it to fit the case, which was a bit of a pain. But hey, it worked out in the end.
- Final Touches:
Once everything was assembled, I added some finishing touches. I used some paint to make the markings on the dial pop. I also polished the carbon fiber case to give it a bit of a shine. But the real one is not so shiny. So I did not work too much on this.
I spent a good chunk of my weekends on this project, maybe three or four. My wife thought I was nuts, spending so much time on it. But you know how it is when you get into something. Time just flies. I had to learn how to use some new tools, which was kinda cool. My hands were sore for days after cutting and shaping that carbon fiber. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy.
Finally, I put it all together. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. It didn’t look exactly like the real RM 07-01, but it kinda, sorta resembled it. I even wore it out a couple of times. My friends got a good laugh out of it. They were like, “Dude, is that a Richard Mille?” I’d just grin and say, “Something like that.”
The Outcome
So, there you have it. My little watch project. It was a fun ride, I gotta say. I learned a bunch of stuff, got to work with my hands, and ended up with a funky-looking watch. Would I do it again? Maybe, maybe not. It was a lot of work, but it was definitely an experience. Plus, now I’ve got a cool story to tell, right? And who knows, maybe this is just the start. Maybe I’ll try making other watch models. Or maybe I’ll just stick to buying regular watches. We’ll see, I guess.
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