I’ve been meaning to share my latest project with you all – something I’m pretty excited about. I recently got my hands on the parts to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava, specifically the 5227R-001 model. I know, I know, it’s a pretty ambitious project, but hey, why not?
So, first things first, I needed to gather all the necessary components. I did some digging around and managed to find the basics. We’re talking about an 18kt rose gold case, which, let me tell you, isn’t easy to come by, especially when you’re trying to source it yourself. And it has to be exactly 39mm – not too big, not too small.
- Case: 18kt rose gold, 39mm in diameter. Fixed bezel, also in 18kt rose gold.
- Strap: Brown alligator leather. Sounds a bit wild, but it’s classy, trust me.
- Dial: Ivory colored, with rose gold-tone dauphine-style hands. Had to look up what “dauphine” meant – it’s a type of hand style, pretty sleek.
- Markers: Index hour markers, and dot minute markers around the edge.
- Movement: This was the tricky part. I aimed for something similar to the Patek Philippe caliber 324 S C. It beats at 28,800 vph, which is some technical stuff I’m still wrapping my head around.
- Date window: At the 3 o’clock position. A must-have.
Getting the case right was a bit of a headache. I spent hours, maybe even days, making sure the dimensions and the polish were spot on. The ivory dial was another challenge. Matching the color and getting those rose gold hands and markers to sit just right took a lot of patience.
The movement, oh boy. That was a whole different beast. Replicating the Patek Philippe caliber 324 S C was no joke. I ended up spending quite a bit of time tinkering with the tiny parts, trying to get that smooth 28,800 vph beat. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough for me.
Then came the strap. I went with an alligator leather strap, brown, which is kinda fancy. It was a bit of a hassle to attach it properly, but after some trial and error, I managed to get it secured. The watch is about 39mm, which is a good size. It doesn’t feel like you’ve got a dinner plate strapped to your wrist. There’s also a date window at 3 o’clock, which is always useful.
After assembling everything, it was time for the moment of truth. Seeing the watch come to life, ticking away, was incredibly satisfying. It’s not a genuine Patek Philippe, of course, but it’s a pretty decent remake if I do say so myself.
In the end, this project was a wild ride. It was challenging, frustrating at times, but also incredibly rewarding. I learned a ton about watchmaking, and I’m pretty proud of what I managed to put together. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and that’s what matters. Now I’m looking for something new to start, maybe a whole different brand.