Alright, folks, gather ’round. Today, I wanna share my little adventure of remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Yeah, that super fancy, super expensive watch that most of us can only dream of owning. I’ve been eyeing this beauty for a while now. It’s the “cream of the crop,” as they say. And let me tell you, the design, the craftsmanship, it’s all top-notch. I mean, it’s a Patek Philippe, what do you expect?
So, I thought to myself, “Why not try to remake it?” It sounded like a fun challenge, and I was itching to get my hands dirty. I started by gathering all the info I could find. Pictures, specs, you name it. This watch, the 6119G-001, it’s made of White Gold, and it’s got this “Clous de Paris” bezel that’s just gorgeous. It’s a bit bigger than the older models, which I like. Makes it feel more modern, you know?
The first thing I did was study the design. I mean, really study it. Every curve, every detail. The 6119G-001 has these three-dimensional hands that give it a bolder look. And the size, 39mm, it’s just right. Not too big, not too small. Just perfect for everyday wear. That is what Patek Philippe did, and I think it makes sense. I sketched it out, made some rough models, just to get a feel for the proportions.
- I started with the case. It is very tiny. I used some scrap metal I had lying around, nothing fancy. It took a few tries to get the shape right. This is probably the hardest part.
- Then came the bezel. That Clous de Paris pattern, it’s a real pain to recreate, let me tell you. But I found a way to do it, using some simple tools and a lot of patience. I did not expect there would be such difficulties.
- The dial was next. I wanted to keep it as close to the original as possible. Simple, elegant, with those classic Patek Philippe markers.
- The hands were tricky. They’re so delicate, so precise. I used some thin metal sheets and carefully shaped them. That needs a lot of practice.
Putting it all together was like solving a puzzle. Each piece had to fit perfectly. And the movement, well, I couldn’t exactly make a Patek Philippe movement from scratch, could I? That’s way beyond my skills. I opted for a simple, reliable movement that I could get my hands on. I just hope it can last for a long time.
The Result
After weeks of work, I finally had my remake. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. But it’s mine. I wear it with pride, knowing that I put my heart and soul into it. It’s a conversation starter, that’s for sure. People ask me about it, and I get to tell them the whole story. I feel really proud of it. And you know what? This whole process, it taught me a lot. About watchmaking, about design, and about myself. This is the best part, I think.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. In fact, I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe another Patek, or maybe something completely different. Who knows? The possibilities are endless. And I will keep trying and making progress.
I heard that Patek Philippe is very hard to get. You may need to be on a waiting list for around 1 year, some models even up to 8 years! Well, I am not going to wait. Making my own watch sounds cool. I do not have to wait for that long.
So, that’s my story, folks. I hope you enjoyed it. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll inspire you to take on your own creative challenge. Remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about the journey, the learning, and the satisfaction of creating something with your own two hands. This is the most valuable thing in this project.
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