So, I decided to try and make a Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001. You know, that super fancy watch from the official store? Yeah, that’s the one, all shiny and looking like a million bucks. But guess what? It actually costs a small fortune, I saw a listing for it at $30,048, and another in mint condition for $32,050! Can you believe that?
I’ve seen this watch in person, and let me tell you, it’s something else. It’s all white gold, and they say it’s real popular. They call it the 6119G-001 Calatrava, like it’s some kind of secret code or something.
First, I got down to figuring out the size. Turns out, this Calatrava 6119G-001 has a 39mm case diameter, and it’s 8.08mm thick. Pretty sleek, right? This Calatrava 6119G, though, it’s different. It’s got that old-timey look even though it’s new. I mean, they have all sorts of names for these watches – “Nautilus,” “Aquanaut,” sounds like something out of a deep-sea movie! But this one, it’s special.
Then came the fun part – getting the materials. Now, I didn’t use real white gold, obviously, but I found some good alternatives that give it that same classy look. The real one has this manually wound movement, the 30-255 PS, with a 65-hour power reserve. I worked with a similar movement that I had on hand, just to get the feel right.
Building Process
- I started with the case. Took my time shaping it, trying to get that 39mm diameter just right. It was tricky, but I managed.
- Next, the movement. I carefully took the movement that I prepared and put it inside the case. This part was like a puzzle, but I got it all fitting together.
- Then, the dial and the hands. This was where it really started to look like a watch. I chose a dial that matched the original as close as I could. And the hands, those tiny little things, were a real pain to put on, but I did it.
- Finally, the strap. I found a nice leather strap that looks just like the one on the real Calatrava. It really completes the look.
My remake isn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But it’s something I’m really proud of. It was a fun and challenging project, I learned a lot along the way, you know, about watches and how they’re put together. It’s not the same as owning a real Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119G-001, but hey, it’s a piece of my hard work, and that’s pretty cool, right?
Next time, maybe I’ll try remaking that “Nautilus” or “Aquanaut” they talk about. But for now, I’m happy with my little Calatrava. It’s a reminder that you can do anything if you put your mind to it, even if it’s just making a copy of a super expensive watch. But hey I think it is a good try! I will keep do more and more practice for that!
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