Alright, guys, let’s talk about my latest project. I’ve been itching to remake a classic, and what better than the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001? This thing is a beauty, and I wanted to see if I could recreate it with the original order specs.
So, first thing I did was dive deep into research. I mean, you can’t just jump into these things, right? I needed to get a feel for what makes this watch tick, literally. From what I found, this bad boy boasts a manual winding caliber 30-255 PS and a pretty impressive 65-hour power reserve. And let’s not forget, it’s not cheap, normally going for around 30 grand!
Getting Started
First step: getting the parts. This was probably the trickiest part, to be honest. I needed to source parts that matched the original specifications as closely as possible. I spent hours looking for them. Finding an 18k rose gold case was a real pain, but I finally found one. Same goes for the tang buckle – it had to be 18k rose gold, just like the original.
The Assembly
Once I had all the parts, the real fun began. I started by assembling the movement. Now, I’m no expert watchmaker, but I’ve tinkered with a few in my time. Putting together the caliber 30-255 PS was a challenge, I won’t lie. Each tiny little piece had to be placed just right. It took me a couple of tries, and a lot of patience, but I finally got it ticking.
Next up, the case. Getting the movement into the rose gold case without scratching it was a bit nerve-wracking. But with a steady hand and a lot of care, I managed to fit it in perfectly. Then came the dial and the hands – that part was relatively straightforward. I had to make sure everything aligned just right, though. The devil’s in the details, as they say.
The Strap
Then came the strap. I had managed to find a beautiful leather strap that matched the original. Attaching it to the case was a bit fiddly, but nothing too crazy. Once the strap was on, the watch really started to look the part.
The Final Touches
With everything assembled, it was time for the final touches. I spent a good few hours just inspecting the watch, making sure everything was perfect. I even compared it to pictures of the original 6119R-001, just to see how close I’d gotten. The hobnail pattern, also known as Clous de Paris, on the bezel was something I was particularly proud of – it’s such a distinctive feature of this model.
Final Result
And there you have it. After all that work, the watch was finally complete. It’s not an exact replica, of course, but I think I managed to capture the spirit of the original. It’s got that classic Calatrava look, with the rose gold case and the elegant dial. And the best part? It actually works! I’ve been wearing it around, and it keeps time like a dream.
- Did I spend way too much time on this? Probably.
- Was it worth it? Absolutely.
I might not sell it for 30 grand, but it’s a piece I’m really proud of. I’ve heard some people have to wait 9 months up to a year to get their hands on a real Calatrava. It took me a while to do this remake, but hey, at least I didn’t have to wait that long! It’s a fun hobby, and this Patek Philippe project has definitely been one of my favorites. Now, what should I remake next…?
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