Today, I got this crazy idea to try and remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Yeah, the fancy one. I saw a picture of it, and man, it looked slick. I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, I started digging around the internet, you know, just to get a feel for what this watch is all about.
First off, I learned that the Calatrava is a pretty big deal in the watch world. They’ve been making these things since way back in 1932. This particular model, the 6119G-001, it’s got this 39mm case made of 18-carat white gold, and it’s only about 8.08mm thick. Pretty slim, right? It’s water-resistant up to 30 meters, which is cool, but I’m not planning on swimming with it, haha.
I started with gathering materials, and let me tell you, finding something that looks like white gold was a challenge. I ended up using some polished stainless steel that I had lying around. It’s not the real deal, but it kinda gives off that shiny vibe.
Next up, the dial. Now, this was tricky. The real one has these faceted applied white gold hour-markers and dauphine-style hands. I tried using some thin metal strips and shaped them as best as I could. It wasn’t easy, and they definitely don’t look as fancy as the real ones, but hey, it’s something.
- Gather materials: Found some polished stainless steel for the case.
- Shape the case: Tried to mimic the 39mm diameter and 8.08mm thickness.
- Create the dial: Used thin metal strips for hour-markers and hands.
- Assemble the parts: Put everything together, which was a real test of patience.
Putting it all together was a whole other story. I used some basic watchmaking tools I had, but let me tell you, it was a test of patience. The tiny parts, the delicate movements…it was a real challenge. But after a few hours, I managed to assemble something that resembles a watch.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, the end result is far from the real Patek Philippe 6119G-001. It doesn’t have that perfect look, and it definitely doesn’t have the same intricate movement inside. But you know what? It was a fun project. I learned a lot about watchmaking, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for these luxury watches.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was tough, but also pretty rewarding. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I’d say go for it. Just be prepared for a challenge, and don’t expect to create a masterpiece on your first try. It’s all about the journey, right?
Anyway, that’s my little adventure in trying to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava. Hope you enjoyed hearing about it. Maybe I’ll try another watch next time. Who knows?
Click to consult