Alright, let’s talk about this watch project I’ve been messing with. It’s about the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. I’ve always had a thing for nice watches, and this one, it’s a real looker. Saw it once in the official store, all shiny and, you know, just screaming luxury. But the price tag? Let’s just say it was way out of my league.
So, I started digging around. Found out this 6119G is kind of a remake. They took the old Calatrava design and gave it a modern twist. It’s a bit bigger, 39mm, white gold case, and has that classic, clean look. But getting your hands on a new one? Forget about it. Unless you’re ready to wait for who knows how long, or you’ve got some serious connections, it’s not happening. They say you can fill out some form on their website, but I heard those waiting lists are longer than a boring Sunday afternoon. Some folks wait up to 10 years!
Then there’s the used market. I did find a few 6119G-001s floating around online, like on Chrono24. Prices were still pretty high, though, you could easily find them for over 33,000 bucks. Still a no-go for me.
But here’s where it gets interesting. I stumbled upon the idea of a remake. Basically, it’s like a replica but with some attention to detail. Look, I’m not talking about those cheap knock-offs you see on the street. This is more about recreating the feel of the original, without breaking the bank.
I started gathering parts. The case was the first thing. I wanted that white gold look, but not the actual white gold price. Found a decent alternative that had the right size and feel, about 40mm in diameter and around 8.53mm thick, which felt good on the wrist. Not too bulky, you know?
The movement was tricky. The original 6119G is hand-wound, and I wanted to keep that. It’s part of the charm. Took some time, but I managed to source a movement that fit the bill. It’s not a Patek movement, obviously, but it does the job and keeps the watch ticking nicely.
The dial and hands, that’s where I really focused on getting the details right. I wanted that clean, classic Calatrava look. Found a dial that matched the original pretty closely, and the hands were a perfect match. When you look at it, it really does give off that Patek vibe.
Putting it all together was a bit of a challenge. I’m no watchmaker, but I’ve got some experience tinkering with things. It took a few tries, some patience, and a lot of YouTube tutorials, but I finally got it assembled. And let me tell you, the feeling of seeing it all come together, that was something else.
Now, I’m not saying this remake is the same as the real deal. It’s not. But it captures the essence of the 6119G-001, that classic, understated elegance. And for me, that’s what matters. I get to wear a watch that looks and feels great, without having to sell a kidney to afford it.
So, yeah, that’s my little watch project. It was a fun ride, a bit of a learning experience, and in the end, I got myself a pretty sweet timepiece. If you’re into watches and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, I’d say give it a shot. You might surprise yourself with what you can create.
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