Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s a beautiful watch. But the price tag, oh boy, it’s something else. Retail is over $30,000, and even on the secondary market, it’s still up there. But I wasn’t giving up that easily. I figured, why not try to remake it myself?
I started by looking up everything I could find about the watch. The 6119G is part of the famous Calatrava line, and it’s got this “Clous de Paris” thing on the bezel, which is like a fancy pattern. Apparently, they made the watch a bit bigger than the older models. The official info also mentioned it had a detailed dial and a hand-stitched leather strap. So, that’s where I got my starting point.
Sourcing the Parts
First, I needed to find parts that looked like the real deal. I spent hours online, looking for a watch case that was the right size and had a similar feel to the Patek. I found one that was pretty close, though it didn’t have that “Clous de Paris” pattern. Then came the dial. I wanted that clean, classic look, so I searched for a dial that matched the 6119G’s style. It was tough, but I finally found one that looked pretty good. I also managed to source a decent movement which would work great and some hands that looked similar enough.
The strap was another challenge. Patek uses these really nice leather straps, and I wanted something that felt just as premium. I ended up getting a good quality leather strap that I thought would do the trick, which was hand-stitched and looked pretty similar to the original one. I also made sure to buy all the watchmaking tools I didn’t already have. These included precision screwdrivers, tweezers, loupes and cleaning supplies.
Putting It Together
Once I had all the parts, it was time to put them together. I started by carefully removing the case back of the watch I bought. I took out the movement that came with it and set it aside. Then I put the new dial onto the new movement. I made sure it was perfectly centered. It was a bit tricky because everything is so small, but I got it in the end. I attached the new hands to the movement, which was probably the most nerve-wracking part. One wrong move and I could’ve messed it up. But I took my time, and they went on fine.
Next, I placed the movement with the dial and hands back into the watch case. I made sure everything was aligned and then put the case back on. I screwed it in tightly to make sure it was secure. Finally, I attached the new leather strap. It fit perfectly and looked really good with the watch.
The Final Product
After all that work, I finally had my own version of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Of course, it’s not the real thing, but it looks pretty close. And it feels great to wear something that I put together myself. Plus, I saved a ton of money. I mean, I’m not a professional watchmaker, but I think I did a decent job. The watch keeps time well, and the strap is really comfortable.
Here’s what I learned from this whole project:
- Patience is key: This whole thing took a lot of time and patience. Finding the right parts, putting them together, it all required a steady hand and a lot of patience.
- It’s all in the details: The little things, like the pattern on the bezel and the quality of the strap, make a big difference in how the watch looks and feels.
- It’s rewarding: Even though it’s not a real Patek, it’s still a beautiful watch, and I’m proud of what I made.
So, yeah, that’s my story of remaking a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. If you’re into watches and have some time on your hands, maybe give it a try. You might surprise yourself with what you can create!
Click to consult