Alright, folks, gather ’round. Today, I’m gonna share my little adventure of remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Now, I ain’t no fancy watchmaker, just a guy who likes to tinker and see how things work. So, bear with me if I don’t use all them highfalutin terms.
First off, I got my hands on some pictures and information about this watch. It’s called the Calatrava 6119G-001. They say it’s a classic, and folks sure do love it. It’s all white gold and has this charcoal gray dial that just looks sharp. I’m talkin’ 39mm size, 18k white gold, and a hand-wound movement. Classy, right?
So, I started by studying the pictures, trying to get a feel for the size and shape of each part. I drew some rough sketches, noting down the dimensions as best as I could. The original is about 8.08mm thick, so I knew I had to be precise with my measurements.
Next, I needed materials. Now, I ain’t made of money, so I couldn’t use real white gold. I opted for some stainless steel instead. It’s durable, and it has a nice shine when polished. I also got myself some basic watchmaking tools – you know, screwdrivers, tweezers, a loupe, that sort of thing.
The case was the first big challenge. I used a small lathe to shape the steel into the basic form. It was a slow process, measuring and cutting, measuring and cutting. I probably spent a good few days just getting the case right. Then came the polishing. I wanted it to have that smooth, shiny look like the original, so I spent hours polishing it with different grades of sandpaper and polishing compounds.
- Draw sketches and note dimensions.
- Gather stainless steel and watchmaking tools.
- Shape the steel into the case using a lathe.
- Polish the case until smooth and shiny.
The dial was another beast altogether. I decided to use a thin sheet of metal and paint it charcoal gray. The tricky part was the hour markers. I ended up using tiny strips of metal, carefully gluing them onto the dial. It was painstaking work, but I think it turned out pretty good.
- Paint a thin sheet of metal charcoal gray for the dial.
- Glue tiny strips of metal for hour markers.
For the movement, well, I’m not gonna lie, I cheated a bit. I found an old mechanical watch movement online and used that. It wasn’t the same as the Patek Philippe one, but it was close enough for my purposes. I took it apart, cleaned it, and oiled it to make sure it was running smoothly.
Finally, I assembled everything. Putting the movement into the case, attaching the dial, and fixing the hands. It was a delicate process, but seeing it all come together was a real thrill.
- Use an old mechanical watch movement.
- Clean and oil the movement.
- Assemble the watch, putting the movement into the case.
- Attach the dial and fix the hands.
Now, it ain’t a perfect replica, not by a long shot. But it looks pretty darn close to the real deal, at least to my untrained eye. And the best part? I made it myself. It’s a reminder that with a little patience and a lot of elbow grease, you can create something pretty special.
So, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava. It was a fun project, and I learned a heck of a lot along the way. If you’re ever thinking about tackling a project like this, I say go for it. Just be prepared to get your hands dirty and maybe swear a little. Or a lot.
What I learned
It took me time, but I learned a lot during the process of making. From shaping the case to assembling the movement, I gained hands-on experience in watchmaking. I also learned the importance of patience and precision in crafting a timepiece. Despite not using real white gold, I discovered that stainless steel could achieve a similar aesthetic. Most importantly, I realized that with dedication and effort, anyone can create something remarkable.
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