Okay, so I recently got it into my head that I wanted to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava, specifically the 6119G-001. You know, that classic, elegant design? I’ve always admired it, but let’s be real, the price tag is way out of my league. So, I figured, why not try to make my own version? It seemed like a fun challenge, and I’ve been getting more into watchmaking as a hobby lately.
First things first, I spent a ton of time just staring at pictures of the 6119G-001 online. I found some decent quality images and even a few videos showcasing it from every angle. I started sketching out the design, trying to get the proportions just right. The Calatrava is known for its slim profile, around 8mm thick, and it’s not a huge watch either, with a diameter of about 39mm. I wanted to get those details down as accurately as possible.
Then came the really tricky part – figuring out how to actually build it. This wasn’t just about slapping some parts together. This watch has some special components. I hit the forums, watched a bunch of YouTube tutorials, and even reached out to a few watchmaker friends I’ve met online for advice. I started gathering the tools and materials I needed, piece by piece. It was slow going, and definitely a learning curve. The movement was particularly difficult to imitate. I did some digging on the Caliber 30-255 PS, which is a pretty new movement. This thing is a beast, but obviously, I couldn’t just buy one.
Building the case was relatively straightforward. I found a supplier online that had a case that was pretty close to the Calatrava’s in terms of dimensions and shape. I had to do some modifications, though. I used a small file and some sandpaper to refine the edges and get that smooth, polished look. The crown was a bit of a pain, but I managed to find one that looked similar enough after browsing through countless online stores. I learned to polish it.
- The dial was where things got interesting. I decided to print my own. I found a high-resolution image of the 6119G-001 dial, played around with it in Photoshop to get the sizing right, and then printed it on some high-quality paper. It took a few tries to get the colors and clarity just right. After that, I carefully cut it out and glued it onto a blank dial I had sourced. It was definitely a moment of truth, and it actually turned out way better than I expected!
- For the hands, I found some generic ones online that were similar in style to the Calatrava’s. I had to shorten them a bit using some wire cutters and a file, but they worked out pretty well.
- The movement was the biggest hurdle, obviously. I couldn’t replicate the Caliber 30-255 PS, so I opted for a readily available automatic movement that I found online. It’s not as slim or as fancy, but it gets the job done. Fitting it into the case and getting everything aligned was a real test of patience. I spent hours on this, and there were definitely moments where I thought I was in over my head. But I kept at it, and eventually, I managed to get it all working.
Putting it all together was like assembling a very intricate puzzle. I used a pair of tweezers, a tiny screwdriver, and a whole lot of patience. Seeing the hands start to move for the first time was an amazing feeling. It felt like it took me an eternity, but the feeling was worth it.
The final product isn’t a perfect replica, of course. It’s not going to fool any watch experts, and it’s definitely not water-resistant to 30 meters like the real deal. But it looks pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. It’s got that classic Calatrava vibe, and it’s something I built with my own two hands. And honestly, that’s what matters most to me. I learned a lot from this project, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into making a real Patek Philippe. This watch represents that for me.
I’m not going to claim it’s a replacement for the real thing, I don’t think it will be considered a great investment like a real Nautilus, Aquanaut, Calatrava, or Grand Complications are, but this project was never about that. It was about the challenge, the learning experience, and the satisfaction of creating something I wanted to own. And in that sense, it’s a complete success. I did it!
I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe I’ll try tackling a different model, or maybe I’ll even try designing my own watch from scratch. Who knows? The possibilities are endless, and I’m excited to see where this hobby takes me.
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