I’ve always been a watch guy. Not like a crazy collector or anything, but I appreciate a good timepiece. So, I decided to try my hand at remaking a classic – the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, specifically the version you see in their specialty stores. This wasn’t about making a perfect replica, but more about understanding the craftsmanship and, honestly, just seeing if I could do it.
First, I gathered a bunch of pictures and videos. I spent hours just looking at the 6119R, especially close-ups of the dial, the case, the movement – everything. I wanted to get a real feel for its proportions and details.
Then came the hard part – finding the right parts. I wasn’t going to use actual Patek parts, obviously. That would defeat the whole purpose (and my bank account). Instead, I looked for parts that had a similar vibe. I spent days browsing online forums, watch part suppliers, and even some shady back-alley websites (just kidding… mostly).
- Case: I found a rose gold-plated case that had a similar shape and size. It wasn’t an exact match, but it had that same elegant, understated look.
- Dial: This was tricky. The 6119R has a beautiful, textured dial. I ended up settling for a simple, clean dial with a similar color.
- Hands: I got lucky here. I found a set of hands that were almost identical to the ones on the 6119R.
- Movement: I used a decent automatic movement. Nothing fancy, but reliable and kept good time.
Once I had all the parts, it was time to assemble the watch. This was where things got really interesting. I have some experience tinkering with watches, but this was a whole new level. I had to be super careful not to scratch anything, especially the case and dial.
Putting it all together took a few evenings. There were definitely some frustrating moments. Like when I dropped a tiny screw and spent an hour searching for it on the floor. Or when I almost ruined the dial trying to get the hands on straight.
But, eventually, I got there. And you know what? It actually looked pretty good! It wasn’t a Patek, of course, but it had that same classic, elegant feel. And the fact that I had put it together myself made it even more special.
What I learned:
Honestly the biggest takeaway from this project was a deeper appreciation for the people who make these watches for a living. The level of precision and patience required is just insane. I also learned a lot about the different parts of a watch and how they all work together. It’s a fascinating world, and I’m glad I got to dip my toes in it.
This whole thing was a fun experiment. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely a challenge, but a rewarding one. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I say go for it! Just be prepared to spend a lot of time and maybe lose a few screws along the way.
Click to consult