Alright, let’s talk about this Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. I’ve been wanting to remake one of these for a while, it’s a real beauty, but who can afford the real deal? Not me, that’s for sure. So, I started with the basics. I got my hands on some blueprints and close-up photos. I studied these things for days, making notes, figuring out what makes this watch tick, literally.
Then, I went shopping. Not for the whole watch, of course, just parts. I looked for movements that seemed like they’d fit the bill. It’s a manual winding, not one of those automatic ones, so that narrowed it down. I bought some cheap watch hands online and started filing and shaping them. It took forever, but I think I got them pretty close to the original 6119R-001 hands. It’s not perfect, but it’s good enough for this project. This thing has 164 parts inside, can you believe it? I kept track of the essentials. Also, picked up some rose gold-colored plating supplies, I figured I would need that later on.
- Bought generic watch hands and started filing.
- Got some movements that might work.
- Found some rose gold-colored plating.
Next, I tackled the case. This was a tricky one. The real 6119R-001 is made of rose gold. I opted for a stainless steel case, similar in size – 39mm, they say it is. It’s bigger than the older Calatravas, I read. I spent hours polishing it, trying to get that shine that the real deal has. It was boring, but when I put the movement inside, things started to look promising. This Patek Philippe has this fancy “Clous de Paris” thing on the bezel. I tried to mimic that with some tools, but let’s just say it’s more of an “inspired by” than an exact replica. Whatever, it adds character. I also applied that rose gold-colored plating I got earlier, and it turned out pretty decent, if I may say so myself.
Putting the movement in the case was a nail-biter. I was so afraid of breaking something. But with a lot of patience, and a few breaks to calm my nerves, I managed to get it in there. I attached the dial, which I had printed based on my blueprint studies – another win! Then came the hands. I carefully placed them on, and let me tell you, seeing them tick was one of the most satisfying moments of this whole project. I am proud of it.
The Final Touches
Finally, I added a leather strap I had lying around. It’s not the fancy alligator one that comes with the real Patek Philippe Calatrava, but it does the job. I put the watch on my wrist, and honestly, it felt amazing. It’s not a real Patek, but it’s mine, and I built it from scratch. I wore it around for a few days, just to see how it felt. It keeps time pretty well, and I’ve gotten a few compliments on it. People are surprised when I tell them I made it myself. They always ask, “Is it worth it?” And I say, for the fun of the project, and the satisfaction of wearing something you made, absolutely.
So, that’s the story of my 6119R-001 remake. It was a challenge, but a fun one. It’s not perfect, but it’s a reminder that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy a beautiful timepiece. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can create something pretty special yourself. This whole experience got me thinking about making another one, maybe a different model this time. We’ll see. I’ve been looking at this other model, the Reference 96, maybe that’ll be my next challenge, but that’s another story, for another day.
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