So, I got this idea stuck in my head about remaking a fancy watch, the Patek Philippe PP Calatrava 6119R-001. You know, the one you see in their official flagship store. I mean, these Patek Philippe folks have been doing this for over 180 years. That’s way longer than I’ve been around, for sure. And this Calatrava thing, it’s a remake of an even older watch, the Reference 96. Crazy, right?
First things first, I started digging into what makes this watch tick. I learned that it’s got 164 tiny parts inside. 164! Can you believe that? And the real ones, they take about nine months to make the basic models, and up to two years for the really complex ones. They’re not exactly mass-produced, these things. This 6119R-001 model, it’s like the modern version of that old-timer.
Then I got to thinking, how hard could it be to remake one? So, I jumped right in. I gathered all the information I could find. Pictures, articles, you name it. I even found out that the real deal costs over $30,000! And even on the used market, it’s still like $26,000. People are waiting like 9 months to a year to get their hands on one from the factory. These things hold their value pretty well. Some even say it’s a good investment.
The Challenge
Then came the hard part – actually trying to remake the darn thing. Now, I knew I couldn’t make an exact replica. I’m not Patek Philippe, after all. But I wanted to capture the essence of it, you know? That classic style. I spent days just staring at pictures, trying to figure out the proportions, the details.
- I started sketching, trying to get the shape of the case right.
- Then I moved on to the dial, the hands, all those little details.
- I tried different materials, different techniques.
Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. There were times I wanted to throw in the towel. But I kept at it. I made a bunch of prototypes, each one a little closer to what I had in mind.
Finally Getting There
Finally, after a lot of trial and error, I had something I was proud of. It wasn’t a Patek Philippe, not by a long shot. But it was my take on it, my own little tribute to that classic design. It was a long and bumpy road, but in the end, I felt like I had accomplished something special. I may not have made a perfect replica, but I learned a heck of a lot along the way. And I ended up with a pretty cool watch, if I do say so myself.
But yeah, if you are gonna buy one of these Remake Patek Philippe PP Calatrava 6119R-001. I will say it is not an easy thing. And I don’t know it is worth it. This Remake Patek Philippe PP Calatrava 6119G-001 is not easy to make. Maybe someone will say it is the best affordable thing. But, it is really hard to do it.
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