Today, I wanna talk about something I got into recently, something kinda fancy, but not really – trying to copy those super expensive Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clocks, you know, the ones that look like they belong in a museum. Specifically, I got hooked on the Atmos Marqueterie, which I saw at a specialty store. The whole thing started when I was just walking around, and there it was, this beautiful clock just sitting there. I thought, “Why not try making one myself?”
Getting Started
First off, I needed to know what I was dealing with. I did a little digging and found out that these Atmos clocks are pretty wild. They run on temperature changes! I don’t know why but, I also learned that a complete service for one of these clocks costs around �275, and they can be returned within 10-14 days. That’s crazy! And get this, they were first made in the 1930s, and the design hasn’t changed much since. The older ones, from the 50s and 60s, can go for about $800-$1,000 used. These are just the general conditions ones, some that might still be running. Insane, right? I also checked out some online auction sites to get an idea of what people are paying for them.
The Real Challenge
So, I knew copying the whole temperature thing was way out of my league. But the look of the Atmos Marqueterie, that I could try. This model was announced back on January 15, 1936, but it took until mid-1939 to get it into full production. It’s a classic for a reason. They’ve made over 500,000 of these things. I focused on the woodwork because that’s what really makes it stand out. I grabbed some wood, some tools, and started planning. It was a lot of trial and error, trying to get the patterns right. I messed up a few times, but hey, that’s part of the process.
Putting It Together
After a lot of cutting and sanding, I started to see something that kinda looked like the real deal. I used a regular clock mechanism I picked up, not the fancy Atmos one, obviously. The woodworking part was the most time-consuming. Each piece had to be just right, or it wouldn’t fit with the others. It was like a big, complicated puzzle.
The Final Touches
Once I had the wood part done, I put the clock mechanism in. Seeing it all come together was pretty cool. It wasn’t perfect, not like the ones in the specialty stores, but it was mine. And it actually worked! I even looked into some similar items like the Imitation Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Reverso and the Imitation Jaeger-LeCoultre JLC Reverso Tribute Chronograph. It’s interesting to see where you can buy these imitations, especially the Monoface Tribute at specialty stores. I realized that these watches are way out of my budget, which made me appreciate my project even more.
What I Learned
- Patience is key: This project took way longer than I thought it would.
- Details matter: The small stuff, like the finish on the wood, makes a big difference.
- It’s okay to mess up: I had to redo parts a few times, and that’s fine.
In the end, I realized that creating something like this is more than just copying a design. It’s about the process, the learning, and the satisfaction of making something with your own hands. Plus, I got a pretty neat-looking clock out of it. Would I do it again? Maybe. But for now, I’m just happy with what I’ve got. And hey, if you’re thinking about trying something like this, go for it. Just be ready to put in some time and effort. It’s worth it.
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