Alright, so I’ve always been a bit of a watch nerd, right? And the Patek Philippe Calatrava, man, that’s always been one of those “dream watches” for me. The craftsmanship, the history, all that jazz. It’s just a beautiful piece of machinery. Recently, I thought, “Why not try to remake one?” So, I decided to try my hand at remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, and let me tell you, it was quite the adventure!
First off, I started by gathering as much info as I could about this watch. Scouring the internet, reading forums, and staring at pictures until my eyes hurt. You know, the usual stuff. I learned that this Calatrava 6119R-001, it’s like a car model or somethin’. It’s got a manual winding, which means you gotta wind it yourself – no batteries here! I found out that the real deal has a “guilloched hobnail pattern” also known as “Clous de Paris”, you see on the bezel. And this ain’t no cheap watch either, the original goes for over 30 grand! I also noticed some folks online saying that getting on a waitlist for one of these bad boys could take up to a year!
Once I felt like I had a decent grasp on what I was dealing with, I started planning out my remake. Now, I know it ain’t gonna be a real Patek, but I wanted to get it as close as possible. That meant figuring out the right materials, tools, and techniques.
The first thing I tackled was the case. I decided to use a lower grade stainless steel, since, you know, I’m not a millionaire. I found a supplier online that had some decent-looking blanks, and I ordered a few to practice with. Shaping the case was tricky. It’s not just a simple circle, you know? There are curves, and angles, and it all has to be just right. I spent hours filing, sanding, and polishing, and it was definitely a learning process. Lots of trial and error, let me tell you.
Next up was the dial. I knew that the original Calatrava 6119R-001 use a hand-wound movement, caliber 30-255 PS, with 65-hour power reserve. Now, I’m not making a replica of the movement, but I wanted the dial to look the part. I found some brass sheets that I could work with, and I carefully cut out the shape of the dial. Then came the hard part – adding the details, like the hour markers and the Patek Philippe logo. I tried a few different methods, like engraving and etching, before I finally settled on a technique that looked decent.
The hands were another challenge. I ended up making them out of thin pieces of metal, shaping them with tiny files and pliers. It was painstaking work, and I definitely messed up a few times. But eventually, I got a set of hands that I was pretty happy with.
Putting it all together was like solving a puzzle. I had to be super careful not to scratch or damage anything. I used a cheap, no-name movement I found online, since I wasn’t trying to fool anyone into thinking this was a real Patek.
The final touch was the strap. I found a decent leather strap that looked pretty close to the original. I attached it to the case, and boom – my very own, handmade (and very much not authentic) Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. When I took a step back and looked at the finished product, I gotta say, I was pretty proud of myself. This is the result of over a year of my hard work, learning, and a lot of patience.
Now, I know it’s not perfect. There are flaws here and there, and it’s definitely not going to fool any watch experts. But to me, it’s a reminder that with enough time, effort, and a whole lot of YouTube tutorials, you can make just about anything.
So, what’s next? Well, I’m thinking about tackling another watch project. Maybe a vintage Rolex or an Omega. Who knows! The possibilities are endless. It’s like that feeling you get when you’re a kid building with Legos, but way more complicated and satisfying. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I say go for it! It’s a great way to learn new skills, challenge yourself, and end up with something pretty cool that you made with your own two hands. Just be prepared to put in the time, and don’t expect to get it right on the first try.
Peace out, and happy making!
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