Hey everyone, it’s your old buddy back again with another project to share. This time, I went for something classy and tried my hand at remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Yeah, the classic style one. It was a wild ride, let me tell you, but I’m stoked to walk you through it.
First off, I got really interested in this watch. I did some digging and found out it’s a pretty big deal in the watch world. The 6119R, it’s got this round case, super polished, and it’s a nice size at 39mm, not too thick either at just 8.08mm. So, I started by gathering all the info I could. I mean, this watch is known for its “Clous de Paris” pattern on the bezel, which is fancy talk for a cool, textured design. I had to get that right.
I went deep into the specs – 31mm diameter for the movement, and just 2.55mm thick. It was quite the challenge to understand how it all came together in such a slim package. It took me days to just figure out where to start. I wanted to replicate that rose gold look and the silver dial, so I was sketching, planning, and thinking about how to pull this off.
Then came the hard part – actually making the thing. I spent hours trying to recreate the details, especially that guilloched hobnail pattern. It’s not just about making it look like the original; it’s about understanding the craftsmanship that went into the original Patek Philippe design. It’s not easy to make, I can tell you that. Took me a while to find the right tools, and some more time to get the hang of using them. I messed up a bunch of times, but hey, that’s how you learn, right?
Here’s what I learned during this project:
- Getting the Case Right: I spent a ton of time trying to get the 39mm case right. I used some basic materials to shape it and make it look like polished rose gold. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
- That Fancy Bezel: The Clous de Paris pattern was a tough one. I practiced a lot on scrap pieces before I got it somewhat decent. It’s all about those tiny details.
- The Dial: The silver dial was another challenge. It’s not just about the color, but the texture and the way it plays with light. I went through a few trials before I was happy with it.
- Movement: Trying to replicate that 31mm diameter and 2.55mm thick movement was, well, let’s just say I gained a whole new level of respect for watchmakers. I wasn’t making a functional movement, but just getting the look right was hard enough.
After many attempts and a lot of patience, I finally put together something that resembled the Calatrava 6119R-001. No, it’s not perfect, and it doesn’t tick, but it looks pretty darn close to the real deal, at least to my eyes. This project taught me a lot about watchmaking, about the history of the Calatrava, and about my own limits and how to push them.
Final Thoughts
This was one heck of a project. It was tough, frustrating at times, but super rewarding in the end. I got to dive deep into the world of luxury watches, learned a ton about the craft, and ended up with a piece that I’m pretty proud of. It’s not every day you get to remake a classic like the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, and I’m glad I took on the challenge. Hope you guys enjoyed this little adventure of mine. Let me know what you think, and I’m always up for suggestions on what to tackle next!