Okay, so, I’ve been itching to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001 for a while now. You know, it’s one of those watches that just screams class and style. But the price tag? Oof, let’s just say it’s a bit out of my league. So, I thought, why not try to remake one myself?
I started by doing some serious digging online. Reading reviews, comparing prices from different places, all that jazz. Found out that this Calatrava, along with a couple of others like the Nautilus and the Aquanaut, are pretty much the holy grail of watches. But like, they’re not just handing these things out. I mean, some folks say they’ve been on a waiting list for, get this, 8 years! 8 years for a watch! That’s like, a whole lifetime in watch years. Luckily, the Calatrava isn’t quite as bad, maybe just a year or so. Still a long time, though.
Getting Down to Business
First things first, I needed to get a good look at the watch. I spent hours just staring at pictures, zooming in, trying to memorize every little detail. The Clous de Paris bezel, the hands, the dial – everything. This watch has a certain vibe, you know? It’s not just a watch; it’s a statement.
Then came the fun part – finding the parts. I scoured the internet, looking for anything and everything that could help me put this thing together. I’m talking about movements, cases, dials, hands, the whole nine yards. It was like a treasure hunt, but with way more frustration and dead ends.
- Movement: Finding a movement that was similar was tough. I ended up settling for a decent automatic movement that at least kept time accurately. It wasn’t a Patek movement, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers.
- Case: The case was another challenge. I wanted that rose gold look, but finding a case that was the right size and had the same finish was a nightmare. Eventually, I found a decent replica case that looked close enough.
- Dial and Hands: This was probably the easiest part. There are plenty of replica dials and hands out there that look pretty convincing. I managed to find a set that matched the 6119R-001 pretty closely.
Putting It All Together
Once I had all the parts, it was time to put this baby together. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. I’m no watchmaker, that’s for sure. But I’m stubborn, and I was determined to make this work. I watched countless videos, read articles, and even reached out to some watch enthusiasts online for help. It was a steep learning curve, but I was slowly getting the hang of it.
There were definitely some hiccups along the way. I messed up a few times, scratched a couple of parts, and even broke a tiny screw at one point. But I kept at it, learning from my mistakes and getting better with each attempt.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I had a working watch. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. And you know what? It looked pretty darn good. I wore it around for a few days, and I have to say, I was pretty proud of myself.
Was it worth it? I don’t know. It was definitely a lot of work, and it wasn’t exactly cheap either. But I learned a lot, and I had a lot of fun doing it. Plus, now I have a watch that looks like a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001, without having to sell a kidney to afford it. So, yeah, I’d say it was worth it. It is a watch that worth to wear daily.
Click to consult