Okay, so I got this idea to remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. It’s a classic, and I’ve always been a fan of its style. So I thought, why not try to recreate it myself? I started by gathering all the information I could find about this watch.
First, I looked up the reference number and the serial number. Turns out, these two work together to give you the full story of the watch. The reference number, 6119G-001 in this case, tells you the exact model and its features, while the serial number makes it unique, telling you about its production details. I made a note of that.
Then, I studied the design. This Calatrava model is known for its “Clous de Paris” bezel – it’s a fancy, decorative pattern. The hands are three-dimensional, which gives the watch a bolder look than the older models. I spent some time sketching these details, trying to get them just right. The 6119G has this modern, slate-gray dial, which is vertically brushed. It looked really sharp in the pictures, so I tried to replicate that texture in my drawings. The case diameter is 39mm, a good size I think, not too big or too small.
Movement
- Next, I dug into the movement.
- The heart of this watch is the Caliber 30-255.
- I learned that Patek Philippe’s naming system for movements is pretty straightforward.
- I made a rough model of the movement based on the pictures and information I found.
Finding an original 6119G-001 was tough, almost impossible. I looked around, checked some watch forums, and even contacted some collectors, but no luck. So, I decided to work with what I had – pictures, descriptions, and some technical data.
The materials were the next challenge. The original is made of 18kt white gold and has a black alligator leather strap. I couldn’t get my hands on real white gold or an alligator strap, so I opted for more accessible materials that could mimic the look. I found a decent stainless steel that I could polish to resemble white gold and a regular black leather strap that looked similar enough.
I started working on the case. I used the stainless steel and tried to shape it according to the measurements of the original watch. It was tough, I must say. Getting that 39mm diameter just right and shaping the bezel with the Clous de Paris pattern was a real test of patience. I messed up a couple of times, but hey, that’s part of the process, right? I used some basic tools for shaping and polishing the metal.
The dial was another beast. I chose a gray material and tried to give it that vertically brushed look. It wasn’t perfect, but it did resemble the original’s slate-gray dial. I used silver-tone paint for the hands and index hour markers, and I made tiny markers around the outer rim for the minutes. I tried to keep it as symmetrical as possible, just like the real deal.
For the movement, since I couldn’t replicate the Caliber 30-255, I used a simple, off-the-shelf movement. It’s not as fancy, but it gets the job done. I assembled the parts carefully, making sure everything fit together.
Finally, I put everything together. I attached the dial to the movement, placed it inside the case, and added the strap. Seeing the finished watch was really satisfying. It wasn’t a perfect replica, but it did capture the essence of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001.
This whole project was a great learning experience. It wasn’t just about recreating a watch; it was about understanding the craftsmanship and the details that go into making such a classic timepiece. Would I do it again? Absolutely! It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it.
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