Alright, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001 for a while now. Thing is, these watches are not exactly easy to come by, and the price tag? Forget about it. That’s when I decided, “Why not try to make one myself?”
First off, I started digging around for info on this watch. Turns out, the original Calatrava came out way back in 1932, designed by a guy named David Penney. It was a big deal for Patek Philippe. This 5227R-001 model I’m after is just sleek, with its curved lugs and thin body. And get this – it’s only 9.24 mm thick, but it still has a sapphire-crystal case back and a dust cover. That’s some serious craftsmanship right there.
So, I began gathering the parts. I knew I needed a self-winding caliber 324 movement since that’s what powers the real deal. I found a decent one that wouldn’t break the bank. Then there’s the dial – had to be ivory lacquered, with gold hands and a date window at 3 o’clock.
- Movement: Got my hands on a self-winding caliber 324.
- Dial: Found an ivory lacquered one that looked pretty spot-on.
- Hands: Gold Dauphine hands, just like the original.
- Case: This was tricky. I needed a rose gold case, about 9.24 mm thin.
Putting it all together was a whole other story. I had to be super careful not to mess anything up. I started with the movement, making sure it was running smoothly. Then I attached the dial and the hands. The date window was a bit of a pain, but I got it lined up right in the end.
The case was the hardest part. I had to make sure it was thin enough but still sturdy. I managed to find a rose gold case that was close to the original’s size. Getting the sapphire-crystal case back and the dust cover to fit just right took some time and a lot of patience.
The Final Touches
After what felt like forever, I finally had all the pieces in place. I took a step back to look at my work, and man, it was pretty close to the real thing! Of course, it wasn’t perfect, there were a few minor flaws here and there, but I was still proud of what I had accomplished.
Wearing it around, I got a few compliments. Some people even thought it was a genuine Patek Philippe! I’m not trying to fool anyone, though. It’s just cool to have something that looks like a high-end watch without having to spend a fortune. Plus, I learned a ton about watchmaking in the process.
It’s kind of funny, the original 5227R-001 is so exclusive, there’s usually a waiting list to get one. I guess I took a shortcut, huh? But hey, at least I can say I made my own version of a classic timepiece. It’s not just about the look, it’s about the experience of building something with your own two hands.
I guess I have managed to get a handmade version. Not perfect, but still a great looking watch.
I hope my experience will help you get your loved watch as well.
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