Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get into this whole watch remake thing for a while now. I finally took the plunge and decided to try my hand at remaking a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227G-010. I know, I know, it’s a pretty ambitious project, but hey, go big or go home, right?
First, I started by grabbing all the info I could find about this watch. It is kind of automatic, so you don’t gotta wind it up every day, which is nice. I also found out that the real deal has “750” on the case-back for 18k gold and “950” for platinum ones. And, apparently, Patek Philippe never puts the serial number on the outside, only on the inside.
Then started looking for parts. I looked online to see if I could find a decent base. Man, finding a good mechanical watch for cheap is tough! Let alone a dress one! I did see something about a Hamilton Intra-Matic that looked similar, but it wasn’t quite the same.
Next, I started getting the materials I needed. I opted for a less expensive metal since, you know, I’m not exactly rolling in dough. I made sure I got something that looked similar, even though it wasn’t actual 18k gold.
Then came the tricky part – putting it all together. I carefully took apart the base watch and started swapping out parts. The dial was a challenge, not gonna lie. I tried to replicate the classic Calatrava look as best as I could.
After hours of work, I finally got it all assembled. I even tried to engrave some hallmarks on the back, like the “750” mark, even though my version isn’t gold. I figured it added a touch of authenticity, even if it was just for show. I didn’t bother with a serial number on the outside, of course, since I learned that’s a dead giveaway for a fake Patek.
Results
- Appearance: Honestly, it turned out better than I expected. It’s definitely got that Calatrava vibe.
- Functionality: It actually keeps time! Not too shabby for my first try.
- Accuracy: Okay, it’s not going to win any awards for precision, but it’s close enough for everyday wear.
All in all, I’m pretty proud of how this remake turned out. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. It’s definitely not a real Patek Philippe, but it’s a decent homage, if I do say so myself. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real thing, but for now, this little project will do just fine.
Click to consult