Alright, so I decided to remake the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. Sounds crazy, right? But I was itching for a challenge, and this beauty seemed like the perfect project. I’ve always been fascinated by these luxury watches, and the “Begin Your Own Tradition” line really spoke to me. It is 25 years since they launched that campaign, by the way, time flies!
First, I started by gathering all the info I could find. I combed through every bit of detail about the Calatrava 6119R-001, especially since Patek Philippe just had that Watch Art TM Tokyo 2023 exhibition, there was a lot to catch up on. This watch is part of their Grand Complications collection, and it’s a big deal. They introduced a two-tone version recently, which is pretty cool. And you know they just launched a new collection after 25 years? They made the face square! I guess good things take time.
Then, I moved on to the design. I mean, this is a complicated piece. I learned that the rebirth of their chiming watches was in 1989, a special year because it was their 150th anniversary. I sketched out every detail, trying to get it as close to the original as possible. The rose gold case, the unique dial – it all had to be perfect.
Next up, I had to figure out the materials. I opted for high-quality metals that mimic the look of rose gold. Finding the right materials was tough. I visited so many stores, and even checked out some authorized retailers, although they are only officially listed on their website, just to get an idea of the quality. It was like a treasure hunt!
Once I had the materials, I began the crafting process. This was the hardest part. I spent countless hours shaping, polishing, and assembling each part. There were moments of frustration, sure, but I kept pushing. I remembered reading about how they only use authorized dealers listed on their site, which made me think about the importance of precision and authenticity.
After what felt like forever, I finally assembled the watch. Seeing it all come together was incredible. It wasn’t just a watch; it was a piece of art. I even thought about that limited-edition catalog they published for the Tokyo 2023 exhibition. It highlights 180 historical pieces, and I felt like I was touching a piece of that history.
In the end, I managed to create a pretty decent remake of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 6119R-001. It’s not the real deal, of course, but it’s a testament to what you can achieve with passion and hard work. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!
- Started with research
- Designed the watch
- Sourced materials
- Crafted each part
- Assembled the watch
So, that’s my story of remaking a Patek Philippe watch. It was a wild ride, but totally worth it. Hope you enjoyed hearing about it!
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