So, I got this wild hair to try and remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Yeah, that super classy watch everyone’s drooling over. I’ve always been a sucker for that vintage vibe, so I figured, why not give it a shot?
First things first, I spent days just staring at pictures of this beauty online, print them out, and stick to the wall. I mean, I was practically living and breathing this watch. I checked out every detail, the hands, the numbers, that slick case – everything.
Then came the fun part – getting the materials. Now, I ain’t made of money, so I wasn’t exactly using the same stuff Patek Philippe uses, but I tried to find things that looked and felt right. I did a lot of digging online, reading forums, and even hitting up some local watch repair shops for advice. The strap was a whole project on its own. I wanted to get that Calatrava Cross and the Patek Philippe logo on there just like the real deal, I spent a lot of time looking for the suitable one.
- Sourcing parts: This was a real scavenger hunt. I ordered some parts online, others I had to make myself, which was a whole other adventure.
- Figuring out the movement: I’m no watchmaker, but I got my hands on a decent movement that was somewhat similar to the original.
- Putting it all together: This was the real test. Lots of tiny screws, delicate parts, and a whole lot of patience needed here.
After a ton of trial and error, and let me tell you, there were many frustrating moments. I started putting these together, I was sweating bullets. Some parts were so tiny, I almost lost them a couple of times. I finally had something that looked like a watch. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but it was my take on the Calatrava 6119G-001. I even managed to get a serial number on the case back, just for kicks. Of course, if you’re a pro, you can spot that mine is not the real one. I heard that the original one is super complicated, maybe has twenty complications.
Honestly, this whole thing was way harder than I thought it would be. It took me way longer than I expected, like, maybe a few months, I lost track of time. But you know what? I learned a ton about watches, and it was a pretty cool feeling to wear something I made with my own two hands. I also read some news on the Internet that said the original one is a big investment, maybe can skyrocket the price due to its iconic design, whatever it is, I just made it for fun.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It’s definitely not a project for the faint of heart. But if you’re into watches and you’ve got a lot of time and patience, it’s a pretty rewarding experience. Plus, you end up with a unique timepiece that’s all your own. Although it ain’t cheap to make it, it is a good experience.
Click to consult