Today I want to share how I remade a classic style inspired by the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. This was something I had been curious about for a while, and I decided to see how far I could go in recreating the timeless elegance of this watch with my own hands. Here’s exactly how it went down:
Step 1: Researching the Details
I started by looking at as many pictures and videos of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001 as I could find. The first thing that caught my attention was the simplicity of the round case, the refined “Clous de Paris” bezel, and the warmth of the rose gold. I noted the dial design – clean white with contrasting thin black Roman numerals and the small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. I also made sure to study the exact case dimensions: a 39mm diameter and the slim profile, which gives the watch its classy look.
Step 2: Gathering the Materials
To start, I needed to find materials that could capture the look and feel of the original. I went to a local supplier and bought:
- A 39mm blank stainless steel watch case (since real gold was out of my budget, I planned to use gold-colored plating later).
- A flat white watch dial that I could modify to add Roman numerals.
- A small second subdial sticker to mimic the 6 o’clock placement.
- A set of thin black hands to recreate the classic style.
- Watchmaking tools like tweezers, adhesive, and a magnifying loupe.
For the strap, I bought a brown leather band to match the elegant yet understated vibe of the original.
Step 3: Modifying the Case
The blank stainless steel case came with a plain bezel, so I had to replicate the “Clous de Paris” pattern. To do this, I used a metal engraving pen. I carefully marked and etched small square patterns around the bezel – this took hours, and I had to redo it a couple of times because the lines weren’t even. Once I was satisfied, I used a gold-colored spray plating kit to coat the case and give it that rose gold appearance. After letting it dry for 24 hours, the result looked surprisingly close to the real deal.
Step 4: Designing the Dial
The dial was probably the trickiest part. I printed thin Roman numerals on a transparent decal sheet and carefully transferred them to the white dial using adhesive. The key was aligning everything perfectly to avoid it looking messy. For the small seconds subdial, I used a pre-made sticker and placed it over the bottom center of the dial. I finished by spraying a thin layer of protective coating to seal everything in place.
Step 5: Assembling the Watch
With the case and dial ready, I assembled the pieces together. First, I inserted the movement into the case and aligned the dial on top. Then, I attached the black hands, using tweezers to set the hour, minute, and small seconds hands precisely. This was probably the most nerve-wracking part because even a tiny misalignment would throw off the entire look. Once the hands were in place, I closed the case back and gave everything a final polish.
Step 6: Adding the Strap
The brown leather strap was easy to attach, but I took my time to ensure the spring bars were securely fitted. I chose a strap with a subtle stitching detail to give it a slightly modern touch without deviating too much from the classic style.
Step 7: The Final Touches
Before calling it done, I inspected the entire watch under bright light to catch any dust or imperfections. I noticed a tiny smudge on the dial, so I opened the case again and cleaned it carefully. Once everything looked perfect, I set the time and wore it on my wrist. The weight felt solid, and the overall appearance was shockingly close to the original 6119R-001.
What I Learned
Remaking a watch like this taught me so much about patience and attention to detail. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind luxury watches like Patek Philippe. While my version will never match the quality or prestige of the real thing, I’m proud of how it turned out and how closely it captures the spirit of the original.
If I were to do it again, I’d invest in better tools and maybe look into professional plating options for a more authentic finish. But for now, this project was a satisfying and rewarding experience!
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