Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Calatrava for a while now. That classic, clean look is just chef’s kiss. But, you know, the price tag? Oof. So, I decided to do a little project – a remake. Specifically, the 6119G-001 model. It’s a beauty.
I started by gathering all the materials, kind of like preparing ingredients before cooking. Finding the right parts was a challenge, but that was part of the fun, right? I needed to get a good white gold case, of course. Luckily, I found a seller online that made pretty good replicas. Not the real thing, but it’ll do for this project. It looked pretty similar to the real thing to my eyes. They even had a square watch in their collection, as one of their collections has one after 25 years. It’s kind of like those horror movie remakes. Like that new Luca Guadagnino thriller. I’m pretty sure they didn’t use any real stuff from the original. But hey, as long as it looks the part, right?
Then there’s the dial. I managed to find one that was almost identical to the original. It took some serious digging, and a lot of comparing photos, but I got there eventually. The hands were easier to source, surprisingly. There are a lot of watch part sellers out there. You just gotta know where to look. I even got a replica Calatrava cross for the crown. Details, people, details!
- First thing I did was take apart the case.
- Then, I carefully removed the old dial and hands.
- Next, I installed the new dial, making sure it was perfectly aligned.
- After that, I attached the new hands, one by one.
- Finally, I put the case back together.
Putting it all together was like assembling a puzzle, except way more nerve-wracking. I was so afraid of messing something up. I used my tweezers and tiny screwdrivers, holding my breath the whole time. It took me a whole afternoon, but I finally got it done. I tried to imitate the elegant look of the original Patek Philippe Calatrava, but in a square shape.
The Result
And let me tell you, it looked pretty darn good! Of course, it’s not a real Patek, but it has that same vibe. The white gold case, the clean dial, the classic hands – it all came together nicely. I even managed to get a decent leather strap for it. It’s not perfect, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. And the best part? I didn’t have to sell a kidney to afford it! Now, I can wear my “Patek” with pride, knowing I put it together myself. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s mine, and that’s all that matters. I felt really satisfied with my work, you know?
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