Alright, folks, gather around! Today, I’m gonna share my little adventure in remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Yeah, you heard that right. That classy piece of wrist candy that usually costs an arm and a leg. Let me tell you, it was a wild ride.
So, first things first, I got my hands on some basic watchmaking tools. Nothing fancy, just the essentials. Then, I started researching the heck out of this watch. I mean, I dug deep. Found out this beauty was released in 2021 and it’s got this super thin manual winding caliber 30-255 PS. Fancy, right?
Disassembling and Studying
Next, I took apart a cheap watch, just to get a feel for the insides. It’s like practicing on a dummy before the real deal. I carefully took out the movement, the dial, the hands, everything. It was nerve-wracking, but I got the hang of it.
- The Movement: That’s the heart of the watch. This Patek has a 30-255 PS, which is a manual winder. I had to find a similar one, not the exact same, ’cause that’s impossible, but something close.
- The Dial: The 6119R has that iconic hobnail pattern, they call it “Clous de Paris.” I spent days trying to replicate that pattern on a plain dial. It was tough, but I think I nailed it!
- The Case: It’s 39mm in diameter and only 8.08mm thick. Rose gold, too. I found a similar case online, not real gold, of course, but it looked the part.
The Hard Part: Assembling
Putting it all together was the real challenge. I started with the movement, then the dial, and finally the hands. It took a lot of patience, and a few mess-ups, but I finally got it. The first time I wound it up and saw it ticking, I felt like a real watchmaker!
Finishing Touches
The original has a sapphire crystal case back, so you can see the movement. I managed to get a similar case back, so it looks pretty legit. And the strap, I found a nice leather one that matches the style.
Now, I’m not saying my remake is as good as the real thing. It’s not a genuine Patek Philippe, and it doesn’t have all the intricate details and the crazy history of the original that came out in 1932. But for a homemade project, I’m pretty darn proud of it. It looks good on my wrist, and it tells the time. What more could you ask for?
So, there you have it. My journey in remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. It was a fun project, and I learned a ton about watches. Maybe I’ll try another model next time. Who knows?