Today I’m gonna tell you about the time I tried to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava, specifically the 5227R-001 model. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I like to get my hands dirty, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?”
First off, I started looking around online, trying to figure out what this watch was all about. I saw some folks talking about the price of the real deal on some website called Chrono24. Sounded like those Patek Philippe Calatrava watches are real expensive. This 5227R-001 model is one of those, and remaking one is way cheaper, since the real ones are for the rich folks. But I thought it had a nice, classic style, so I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
I gathered all the info I could find. This watch is not too big, about 27 mm in diameter and 3.3 mm thick. Has 212 parts and 30 jewels. Seems like there have been a bunch of these Calatrava watches over the years, and people like to collect them.
The first thing I did was try to get the parts. I found some suppliers online that sell watch parts for remakes. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. Finding the right pieces that looked like the real thing was a real pain. I went through a few different suppliers until I had everything I needed, or close enough, anyway.
Then came the fun part – putting it all together. I got my tools out, laid everything on my workbench, and started assembling. It was like putting together a really complicated puzzle. Each part, all 212 of them, had to fit just right. I had to be super careful not to mess anything up. My hands were shaking a bit, I’ll admit. It was tough, but I kept at it.
I started with the movement. The original uses a Caliber 26-330 S C self-winding mechanical movement. I found a similar one, not the exact same, but it did the job. I put the gears and springs together, making sure everything was in its place. It was slow going, but I managed to get it working. Then I had to put the movement in the case. The case I got was a pretty good match to the 5227R-001, 27 mm wide and all. I fit the movement inside, nice and snug.
Next up was the strap. The original has a shiny alligator strap with square scales. I found a similar-looking strap, not real alligator, but it looked close enough. I attached it to the case, and it was starting to look like a real watch.
The Finishing Touches
- Dial: I got a dial that matched the original as close as I could. It was white, simple, and clean, just like the real one.
- Hands: The hands were tricky. They had to be just the right shape and size. I found some that were close, and after a bit of fiddling, they fit perfectly.
- Crystal: The crystal is the glass on top of the watch face. I made sure to get one that was clear and scratch-resistant. It fit right on top, completing the look.
After hours of work, I finally had something that looked like a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. It wasn’t perfect, and I definitely wouldn’t try to pass it off as the real thing. But it was a fun project, and I learned a lot about watches along the way. It felt good to see all those parts come together and make something that actually worked. The feeling when I saw the watch ticking away, it was great. It looked pretty good on my wrist, if I do say so myself.
So, if you’re thinking about trying something like this, just know it’s a lot of work. But if you’re patient and like a good challenge, it’s definitely worth it. Just don’t go around trying to fool anyone, okay? Enjoy the process, and be proud of what you make. And remember, this is just my experience – yours might be different!
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