Alright, guys, let’s dive into something I’ve been messing around with lately – trying to remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001, you know, the one you see in the official flagship store. It’s a real beauty, but the waitlist is nuts, like 9 months to a year.
So, I started by digging up everything I could find about this watch. I mean, pictures, specs, any info I could get my hands on. Turns out, this thing is a 39mm white gold beast with a charcoal gray dial, and it’s got this cool hobnail pattern on the bezel.
I got to work sketching. I’m no artist, but I wanted to get a feel for the watch’s dimensions and that fancy bezel. It’s called a “Clous de Paris” pattern, by the way. Pretty intricate stuff. Then, I grabbed some basic watchmaking tools. Nothing too fancy, just enough to take apart some old watches and see how they tick. I even bought a cheap watch that had a similar size case, just to practice on.
The dial was the next big hurdle. Charcoal gray isn’t exactly a common color, so I experimented with different paints and finishes. Took a few tries, but I finally got something that looked pretty close. It has small seconds at the bottom, so I made sure to include that as well.
- Finding the right material for the case was tough. White gold is expensive, guys. So, I opted for a cheaper metal that I could plate later. It’s not the same, but it’s a start.
- The hands were another challenge. They’re “dauphine-style,” which means they’re kind of pointy and elegant. I ended up shaping them out of some thin metal sheets. Not perfect, but hey, I’m learning.
- Putting it all together was a real test of patience. I had to be super careful not to scratch anything, especially that dial I worked so hard on.
After a few weeks of tinkering, I finally had something that resembled the Calatrava 6119G-001. It’s not a perfect replica, not by a long shot, but it looks pretty decent, if I do say so myself. The hobnail pattern is a bit rough, and the hands aren’t as refined, but it captures the overall vibe of the watch. It also features a manually wound movement, because what is a classic watch without some classic mechanisms?
The Result
Is it worth trying to remake a Patek Philippe? Probably not, unless you’re really into the process, like I am. But it’s been a fun project, and I’ve learned a ton about watchmaking. The original is a masterpiece, but maybe one day I’ll save up and get the real deal. The price is high, but I believe I can make it. For now, I’m pretty happy with my little homemade version. It’s a good conversation starter, and it reminds me that sometimes, the journey is more rewarding than the destination.
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