Alright, folks, gather ’round. Today, I’m gonna walk you through my latest project: remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Yeah, you heard that right. That classy piece of wrist candy that usually goes for, what, around 28 grand? I decided, “Why not make one myself?”
So, first things first, I did a bit of digging. Found out this beauty came out in 2021, and it’s a follow-up to the original Calatrava Reference 96 from way back in 1932. This 6119R-001, it’s got a 39mm rose gold case, a manual winding 30‑255 PS caliber inside, and it can keep ticking for 65 hours without a wind. Pretty neat, huh?
Now, I started by sketching out the design. I mean, I stared at pictures of the original for hours. I tried to grab as many 6119R-001 details as possible. Its diameter is 39mm and the height is 8.08mm. Then, the case. Rose gold is the real deal, but I went with a similar-looking alloy to keep things, you know, affordable. It turned out pretty decent, if I do say so myself. Got that nice, warm tone and everything.
- Drawing: I spent a good few days just drawing and redrawing.
- Case: Finding the right material was a pain, but I managed.
- Movement: This was the tricky part. I decided to modify an existing mechanism.
The movement was the real challenge. I’m not exactly a watchmaker, but I’ve tinkered with a few in my time. This 30‑255 PS caliber, it’s a whole other level. I ended up taking apart an old watch I had lying around and using some of its parts. Took a lot of trial and error, let me tell you. But eventually, I got something that sorta, kinda works like the real deal. It ain’t perfect, but it ticks!
Putting it all together was like assembling a really complicated puzzle. Tiny screws, delicate hands, the whole shebang. I even tried to copy that sapphire crystal case back. I used a piece of clear plastic, cut it to size, and polished it up. Looks pretty good from a distance, haha.
Final Touches
After weeks of work, my 6119R-001 was finally done. It doesn’t have the “30 m water-resistant” function. Does it look exactly like the original? Nah. But does it resemble it? I’d say so. It’s got that classic Calatrava vibe, the rose gold color, and a movement that actually works. I even managed to engrave “Patek Philippe” on it, just for kicks. It’s not perfect, but hey, it’s mine.
Would I wear it out? Probably not. It’s more of a showpiece, a testament to what you can do with a bit of time, patience, and a whole lot of stubbornness. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. “Oh, this old thing? Yeah, I just whipped it up in my spare time.”
So, there you have it. My journey to remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. It was a wild ride, but I learned a ton, and I ended up with a pretty cool watch. Would I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I might pick something a little less complicated. Or maybe not. Who knows? That’s the fun of it, right?
I’ve gotta say, the whole process was a blast. Frustrating at times, sure, but ultimately rewarding. I always find these things interesting. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I say go for it. Just be prepared to lose a few nights of sleep and maybe a bit of your sanity along the way. But hey, that’s half the fun, isn’t it?
Alright, that’s it for this project. Stay tuned for more crazy adventures in the world of making stuff. Peace out!
Click to consult