Alright, folks, gather ’round, let me tell you about my little project. So, I’ve always had my eye on those fancy watches, especially that Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Man, that thing is a beauty! But, let’s be real, it’s way out of my league, price-wise. I saw somewhere it was listed for like $31,000? Yeah, no thanks.
But I’m a resourceful guy, and I thought, “Why not try to remake it myself?” I mean, how hard could it be, right? Famous last words, I know. Anyway, I started doing some digging. First I looked for Official flagship stores near Montreal, only boutiques and dealers listed on * are officially authorized to sell Patek. I’m not going to buy the real thing. I just want to make one myself.
I scoured the internet for any info I could find on this watch. I learned it’s made of white gold, which sounds expensive, and it’s got this classic, clean look that I really dig. The official name is Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001, a real mouthful, and it’s not cheap, even on those watch-trading websites.
Get Materials
First, I got the materials, tried to find something that looks like white gold. I found some stuff online that looked similar. I also needed a watch movement, I found one that’s close enough to the real one. Diameter is 31mm, Thickness is 2.55mm, a bit bigger than the real one, but it’s acceptable.
The Build Process
- First thing I did was took measurements of everything. I needed to make sure my remake was the same size as the real deal. I think the original is 39mm, so I made sure mine was too.
- Then I start to make the watch case. This was tough. I’m not a metalworker, but I did my best to shape the material to look like the 6119G-001 case. Lots of trial and error here, folks.
- After I had a case I was kind of happy with, I start working on the dial. This is the face of the watch, and it’s got those little hour markers and the Patek Philippe name. I used a fine-tipped marker and a steady hand. It took forever!
- Next, I put the movement into the case. This was fiddly work, but I managed to get it in there without breaking anything. I was sweating bullets, I can tell you that.
- Finally, I attached the straps. I found some leather straps online that looked pretty close to the original. They weren’t cheap, but hey, I was already in too deep to quit now.
It took me a few weeks, working on and off, but I finally finished my remake. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. The case is a little wonky, the dial isn’t as crisp as the real one, and I’m sure a real watchmaker would laugh at my work. But you know what? I’m proud of it. I made it with my own two hands, and it’s a decent-looking watch, if I do say so myself.
So, there you have it. My adventure in remaking a Patek Philippe. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. Would I do it again? Probably not. But hey, at least I can say I tried, right? And now I’ve got a unique watch that’s kind of like a Patek Philippe, but also kind of not. It’s my little conversation starter, and I wear it with pride.
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