Okay, so I’ve been eyeballing this Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001 for a while now. It’s a real beauty, but man, that price tag! So, I thought, why not try to remake one myself? A little ambitious, maybe, but hey, I was up for a challenge.
Getting Started
First thing I did was research. I looked up everything I could find about the Calatrava, especially the 6119G-001. I read articles, watched videos, and stared at pictures until my eyes hurt. I mean, this watch is fancy, with its “Clous de Paris” bezel and those 3D hands. It looks simple, but there’s a lot going on there.
Gathering Supplies
Next, I needed to get my hands on some parts. This was tricky because, obviously, I wasn’t using real Patek Philippe parts. I had to find stuff that looked similar and would work together. I spent hours searching online and in local watch repair shops. It was like a treasure hunt, but for watch parts.
The Process
Once I had all my supplies, it was time to start building. I started with the movement, which is like the engine of the watch. I took it apart, cleaned it, and put it back together. Then, I worked on the case, trying to get that “Clous de Paris” pattern on the bezel. It was tough, let me tell you. I messed up a few times and had to start over, but I eventually got something that looked decent.
- Disassembled the movement, cleaned it, and reassembled.
- Attempted to recreate the “Clous de Paris” pattern on a substitute bezel.
- Attached the hands and dial, ensuring they were properly aligned.
- Fitted the movement into the case and secured it.
- Tested the watch for functionality and timekeeping accuracy.
After that, I put on the dial and the hands. This was delicate work. One wrong move and I could scratch the dial or bend the hands. But I took my time, and it turned out okay. Finally, I put the whole thing together and added a strap.
The Result
My remake of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001 isn’t perfect. Far from it. But you know what? I’m still pretty proud of it. It was a fun project, and I learned a ton about watches. Plus, now I have a cool-looking watch that I made myself. It is not a watch for everyone, that is for sure. But I think these Calatrava watches are super collectible. I’m glad I did it and think this 6119 version has that cool factor that makes me want to wear it every day.
If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I say go for it. Just be prepared to be patient, to make mistakes, and to spend some time and money. But it’s worth it in the end.
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