Okay, let’s talk about how I remade the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, the classic style. It was quite a journey, let me tell you.
First off, I started by gathering all the information I could about this watch. I mean, this isn’t just any watch; it’s a Patek Philippe, and a Calatrava at that. I looked up everything about the original – the size, the materials, the movement, everything. I found out that the original has a diameter of 39mm and it’s about 8.08mm thick. It’s water-resistant up to 30 meters, and has a sapphire crystal case back. That’s the kind of stuff I needed to know.
Then, I got down to the nitty-gritty. I needed to replicate that iconic “Clous de Paris” hobnail pattern on the bezel. This was not easy, folks. It’s a guilloché pattern, which basically means it’s engraved with a really intricate, repetitive design. I spent hours just practicing this pattern, trying to get it right. The original pattern has some nice features. I need to remake it as much as I can.
- First of all, I drew the sketch based on the picture.
- Secondly, I made a mold and tried the pattern.
- Then, I refined the details time after time.
After that, I moved on to the case. I decided to go with rose gold, just like the original 6119R. I measured and shaped the case, making sure the dimensions were spot on – 39mm in diameter, 8.08mm in height. It was slow work, but I was determined to get it as close to the original as possible.
The dial was another challenge. I wanted to recreate that classic, clean look of the Calatrava. I carefully applied the hour markers and the hands, keeping everything symmetrical and balanced. I also made sure the date window was in the right place, just like the original.
For the movement, I opted for a reliable automatic movement. I know it’s not the same as the original Patek Philippe movement, but hey, I’m not a master watchmaker. I assembled the movement and fitted it into the case, making sure everything was running smoothly.
Finally, I added a leather strap. I chose a nice, dark brown leather that I thought complemented the rose gold case nicely. I attached the strap, and there it was – my very own remade Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001.
It wasn’t perfect, of course. There were a few imperfections here and there. Also I changed the back case so that I can see the movement inside. But overall, I was pretty happy with how it turned out. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it to see the finished product. I wore it around for a while, and it felt great to have a piece of watchmaking history on my wrist, even if it was just a remake.
So, that’s the story of how I remade the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. Hope you enjoyed hearing about it!
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