Hey everyone, today I want to talk about something a bit different – my journey to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001, the one you see on their official store. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’ve always been fascinated by these things. So, I decided to give it a shot, just for fun and to see if I could do it.
First off, I started digging around for info on this watch. What I found was pretty interesting. The Calatrava 5227R-001, it’s a real beauty. It’s got this classic round case, super polished, 39mm across and about 9.24 mm thick. There was also a version which is 8.08 mm thick. Looks pretty sleek, right? It’s no wonder these Calatrava watches, especially the vintage ones, are like gold dust for collectors. I mean, this model was first introduced in 1932, how cool is that?
Then I got into the nitty-gritty. This watch has an automatic self-winding movement, using the caliber 324 movement. And get this – it’s got 29 jewels and even a shock absorber. Fancy, huh? The price tag on these bad boys? Well, let’s just say it’s up there. The real ones go for around $41,710, but you can find them for about $29 on some websites. I was not sure if the cheaper ones were genuine. I guess it can be different in different countries.
My DIY Adventure
So, here’s where my adventure began. I got myself some basic watchmaking tools. Nothing too fancy, just enough to take apart an old watch I had lying around. I figured I’d start with something less precious before I even thought about touching anything resembling a Patek Philippe. It was tough, I won’t lie. Those tiny screws and gears? It’s like working with ants! But, after a few tries, I got the hang of it.
- Gathering Parts: I started looking for parts that looked like they belonged in a Calatrava. It was a bit of a treasure hunt. I found some decent-looking hands and a dial that sort of matched the style.
- Movement: This was the tricky part. I couldn’t get a real caliber 324, obviously. But I found a similar automatic movement that would fit the bill. It wasn’t 29 jewels, more like 17, but hey, it ticked!
- Case: I found a 39mm round case online. It wasn’t Patek quality, but it had that polished look I was going for.
- Assembly: Putting it all together was like a puzzle. I spent hours, with tweezers and a magnifying glass, trying to get everything in place. My respect for watchmakers went through the roof during this stage, I tell you.
After what felt like forever, I finally had something that looked like a watch. It wasn’t a Patek Philippe, not by a long shot. But it was mine, and I made it. It even told the time – though I wouldn’t bet on its accuracy.
The End Result
So, there you have it. My homemade “Patek Philippe” watch. It’s not going to fool anyone, especially not a collector, but it’s a cool conversation piece. And it taught me a lot about watches and the crazy amount of work that goes into making them. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was fun, frustrating, and rewarding all at the same time. But for now, I think I’ll stick to just admiring the real Patek Philippe watches from a distance.
Thanks for reading about my little project. It’s not every day you try to remake a classic, right? Let me know what you think, and if any of you have ever tried something like this, I’d love to hear about it!
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