So, I’ve been eyeballing the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001 for a while now. That white gold, it’s just… chef’s kiss. But the waitlist? Forget about it. Some folks are saying it’s like waiting for rain in the desert. A year, maybe more, just to get your hands on one. And let’s be real, the price tag is a bit hefty, too.
That’s when I thought, “Why not try to remake one myself?” I mean, I’m pretty handy, and I’ve always enjoyed a good challenge. Plus, I’ve seen some pretty decent remakes out there, so I figured it was worth a shot. This wouldn’t be like those perfect copies you see some places selling. This was more about the fun of the project, and the learning.
I started by gathering as much info as I could find. Pictures, specs, anything that would help me get a better sense of the watch’s design and dimensions. I spent hours online just looking at this thing. This was a lot of staring at other people’s watches. I found some folks who had done similar projects, remaking other Patek models like the Nautilus or the Gondolo, which was super helpful. The Nautilus, people say they wait eight years for those! Eight years! Mine would be done much sooner, for sure.
Next, I had to find the right materials. Obviously, I wasn’t going to use real white gold, that would defeat the whole purpose. I opted for some more affordable alternatives that still looked and felt pretty good. It was a bit of a trial-and-error process, but eventually, I found what I was looking for. Lots of comparing, let me tell you.
Then came the hard part – actually putting the thing together. I had to find a watch mechanism that would work, one that’s kinda like the real one. I found a decent one, not perfect, but it worked! Then I started with the case, carefully shaping it to match the original as closely as possible. Then the dial, the hands, the strap – every detail was meticulously crafted. I messed up a few times, no doubt. Had to redo a couple of parts, but hey, that’s part of the process. A lot of it was just me, at my table, late at night, trying to get things just right.
Here’s a breakdown of the major steps I took:
- Sourcing the Movement: I found a decent automatic movement online that had a similar look and feel to the original. Not the real thing, but close enough for my purposes.
- Crafting the Case: This was the most challenging part. I used a combination of metal and some other stuff to shape the case, then polished it to a nice shine.
- Making the Dial: I found a pre-made dial that was pretty close to the Calatrava’s, then added the hour markers and other details myself.
- Assembling the Hands: I had to source these separately, and let me tell you, finding the right size and style was a pain.
- Choosing the Strap: I went with a simple leather strap that matched the overall aesthetic of the watch. It is just a leather strap, simple.
After weeks of work, my remake of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001 was finally complete. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. There are definitely some imperfections, and it’s nowhere near the quality of the real thing. But you know what? I’m really proud of it. I made it with my own two hands. I wore it out the other day, and someone even asked me about it! They thought it was real for a second!
It is Mine
It was a fun and challenging project, and I learned a ton along the way. And who knows, maybe this is just the beginning. Maybe I’ll try remaking other watches in the future. It was a lot of work, but it was so much fun. This one’s a keeper, though. A reminder of what you can do with a little bit of time and effort. And it didn’t take a year to get, that’s for sure!
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