Okay, folks, gather around! I have been working on a fun little project and can’t wait to share it with you all. I got this idea to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6007G-011, and I just finished it. Let me tell you, it was a heck of a ride.
So, first things first, I started digging around about the Calatrava. These watches are seriously classy. I found out that the wait time for a real one can be, like, up to 8 years! And even a Calatrava can take a year to get. I mean, I love watches, but that’s a long time to wait. So, I thought, why not try to make one myself? I’m not gonna wait, but I am going to make it.
I started by gathering all the materials. Now, the original is made of white gold, which is way out of my budget. I decided to use some more affordable materials that still looked good. I spent a lot of time looking for the right stuff. I mean, I wanted it to look decent, right? Finding the right components was a real challenge. I spent hours online, visiting local shops, and even talking to some jeweler friends. I grabbed some white gold-looking alloy, because who can afford solid gold, right?
Then came the design. The Calatrava 6007G-011 has this beautiful, clean look with a “Calatrava” styled body that is like 40mm. I had to get those details right. I sketched out the design, making sure I got the proportions and the look of the hands and the bezel just right. I wanted those baton-style hands with the luminescent coating, just like the real deal. I actually found some hands that looked pretty close, but getting them to glow in the dark took some trial and error.
Making the Watch
- The Case: I started with the case. I used the alloy I found and shaped it to match the classic Calatrava style. It took a lot of filing and polishing to get it smooth and shiny. I must say that it turned out pretty good.
- The Dial: Next, the dial. I wanted that simple, elegant look. I found a plain white dial and added the hour markers carefully. It took a few tries to get them perfectly aligned. They looked good but were hard to make perfect.
- The Hands: This was tricky. I found some hands that looked similar to the original, but I had to make them glow. I used some luminescent paint, and after a few tries, they looked pretty good in the dark. The hands were tough, but I got them to glow.
- The Movement: I used a cheap automatic movement I found online. It’s not as fancy as the real Patek Philippe movement, but it keeps time well enough. I’m not a pro, so a basic movement works.
- Assembly: Putting it all together was like solving a puzzle. I had to be really careful not to scratch anything. It took me a whole afternoon, but I finally got it all assembled. Getting everything to fit was tricky, but I did it.
After putting it all together, I had a watch that looked pretty darn close to a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6007G-011. It wasn’t perfect, but I was really proud of it. It felt great to wear something I had made with my own hands. It’s not a real Patek, but it looks good on my wrist.
This project taught me a lot about watchmaking. It’s not easy, but it’s really rewarding. I spent about $500 on parts, which is way less than the $32,000 price tag of a real Calatrava. I know it’s not the same as owning a real Patek Philippe, but it’s something special that I made myself. If you’re into watches and have some time, give it a try! You might surprise yourself with what you can create.
So there you have it. My remake of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6007G-011. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot. Plus, I have a cool-looking watch to show for it. Hope you enjoyed my little adventure. Until next time, stay curious and keep tinkering!
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