Alright, folks, gather ’round and let me tell you about my latest project. I decided to try my hand at remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. Yeah, that fancy “Classic Style” one. It looked like a fun challenge, and I’ve always been a tinkerer, so I thought, why not?
First thing I did was to stare at a whole bunch of pictures of this watch online. I mean, I looked at it from every angle I could find. This Patek Philippe Calatrava “Clous de Paris” Ref. 6119G-001, they say it pays tribute to older models. It is said that the 6119 takes its cues from past Calatrava models. I tried to get a feel for its size, the way the light hits the dial, all those little details. This thing is 39mm wide and 8.08mm thick, which is pretty slim as far as I learned.
Then, I started gathering my materials. I’m not made of money, so I wasn’t about to use real gold or anything. I opted for some more affordable alternatives that still looked the part. And also learned that this artistry is employed to craft exquisite enameled wristwatches, glorious dome table clocks, and collectible pocket watches featuring marquetry, or enameled or gem-set cases and dials. But It’s simply not possible to get one from the shop. So I chose to remake one.
The trickiest part was definitely the watch face. That “Clous de Paris” pattern, it’s not something you can just slap together. I had to really take my time, making sure each little hobnail was just right. It took a lot of patience, and a few failed attempts, but I eventually got something I was happy with.
The movement was another beast altogether. I’m no watchmaker, so I decided to use a pre-made movement that was similar in size and function to the real deal. Fitting it into the case was a bit of a puzzle, but I managed to get it all snug and secure.
Once I had the main components sorted, it was time to put it all together. This was probably the most satisfying part. Seeing all the individual pieces come together to form a working watch, it was a real thrill. I even managed to find a nice leather strap that matched the original pretty well.
And that’s it! A new Calatrava 6119G-001 is created! I learned a lot from making this, and it has inspired me to try out other models.
- Step 1: Stare at pictures. Lots of them.
- Step 2: Gather materials. No real gold for this guy.
- Step 3: Wrestle with the watch face. That pattern is a doozy.
- Step 4: Find a movement that fits. No watchmaker skills here.
- Step 5: Put it all together. Like a beautiful puzzle.
- Step 6: Find a nice strap. Leather is the way to go.
Now, I’m not saying my remake is as good as the real Patek Philippe. Far from it. But it was a fun project, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And it tells the time, which is the whole point, right? This whole experience got me thinking, maybe I’ll try my hand at another watch remake soon. Any suggestions?
What I learned
This whole thing was a real learning experience. I learned a lot about watches, about craftsmanship, and about my own patience. Also learned that Patek Philippe has created the new 6119 as an amalgam of various past references while striving to make the watch as modern as possible. It’s not easy to make something that looks simple, you know? There’s a lot of thought and skill that goes into these things. And the price is also shocking, they say it’s a good investment. But I don’t think I can grow time on a watch, haha. So I’m just happy with my little homemade version.
So, if you ever thought about remaking a watch, just go for it. You might surprise yourself. It’s not about making something perfect, it’s about the process, the challenge, and the satisfaction of creating something with your own two hands.
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