Today, I want to talk about my recent project – remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. I’ve always been fascinated by the elegance of the Calatrava, and I thought, why not try to make one myself?
I started by looking at a bunch of pictures and info about the watch. I found out that it has a 39mm diameter and is 8.08mm thick, made of rose gold. Apparently, the real deal goes for around $24,000 on average, but you can find them anywhere from $11,000 to $84,000. And the movement inside? It’s got 212 parts and 30 jewels. The original watch case is fully polished, and honestly, it looks really slick.
So, with all this in mind, I started to gather my materials. I got some rose gold-plated metal to try and match the look. It’s not real rose gold, but it’s got that same warm, classy vibe.
Next, I printed out a detailed drawing of the watch case and started to shape the metal. It took a while, but I used the drawing as a guide to get the size and shape just right. I wanted that classic, round look, so I spent a lot of time polishing the metal. It was a bit of a pain, but I kept at it until it had that shiny finish I was looking for. Also, I started working on the movement. I found a movement with a similar size and used my old tools to modify it. I added some extra gears and parts to make it look more like the original. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough for me.
Then, I focused on making the dial and hands. I printed out a picture of the dial and used it as a template. For the hands, I used some thin metal sheets and carefully cut them into the right shapes. It was a bit tricky, but I managed to get them looking pretty good. The case back was another challenge. The real one has a hinged dust cover, which is pretty unique. I tried to mimic this by creating a separate piece that could be attached to the back. It’s not as fancy as the original, but it gives a similar effect. I cut out the crystal from a piece of acrylic. It’s not as scratch-resistant as sapphire, but it does the job and looks clear.
- Case: Rose gold-plated metal, 39mm diameter, 8.08mm thick.
- Movement: Modified with 212 parts and 30 jewels.
- Dial and Hands: Custom-made to match the original design.
- Case Back: Hinged dust cover replica.
- Crystal: Acrylic, cut to fit.
Putting it all together was the most satisfying part. I carefully assembled the movement, dial, and hands inside the case. It took some patience, but seeing it all come together was awesome. I secured the movement inside the case, placed the dial on top, and attached the hands. Then, I added the case back and the crystal. It felt like a real accomplishment to see the finished product.
The final result isn’t exactly like the original Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001, but I’m pretty proud of it. It’s got that same classic look, and it was a blast to make. It’s definitely a conversation starter, and I love showing it off to my friends.
This project was a lot of fun, and I learned so much along the way. It’s not just about making a watch; it’s about the journey and the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands. I hope this inspires you to take on a project of your own, no matter how big or small. You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve!
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