Today, I’m going to share a little project I recently got into – remaking a Patek Philippe Calatrava, specifically the 5227J-001 model. I’ve always been fascinated by these watches, but the real deal? Way out of my budget. So, I thought, why not try to make my own?
First things first, I had to really understand what makes this watch tick. I found out that this particular model, the 5227J-001, is pretty sought after. It’s got this classic, clean look – a 39mm case, ivory-colored dial, and it’s made of 18K yellow gold. Fancy, right? But getting your hands on one of these is like a year-long wait, at least, and the price tag? Don’t even get me started.
I did some digging online, mostly on forums and some watch-enthusiast sites. I learned that these things usually go for anywhere between $28,000 to over $40,000! Insane. I stumbled upon a site called Chrono24 or something like that. Lots of people trying to sell these watches there, but still, it was way too much for a regular guy like me.
Then, I tried to find out where they sell these things in my area. I’m around the San Francisco area, and apparently, there’s a place in Burlingame, Kern’s. They’re an authorized dealer. But I also heard about a new boutique opening up in Union Square. Still, the idea of just walking in and buying one, with my budget? Yeah, not happening.
So, I rolled up my sleeves and started my remake project. I got myself some basic watchmaking tools – nothing too fancy. I’m not a professional, just a guy with a hobby. I found some good quality materials that looked the part. I went for a stainless steel case to mimic that gold look. For the dial, I found a nice off-white material that resembles the original’s ivory color. I have a friend who is good at these things, who helped me out with the hands and stuff.
Main Part
- First step, finding a case. Not as easy as it sounds.
- Next, the dial. Tricky, but I managed.
- Then, the hands and the movement. This was the hardest part, to be honest.
- Putting it all together. This took me a couple of weekends.
The whole process took me a few weeks, working on it here and there. It was tough, I won’t lie. Getting the details right, making sure everything fit perfectly, it was a real test of patience. There were times I almost gave up, especially when I messed up the dial and had to start over. But I kept at it, driven by the thought of having my own Calatrava-like watch.
Finally, after a lot of trial and error, I had something that resembled the 5227J-001. It’s not perfect, far from it. But it’s mine, and I made it. It doesn’t have the Patek Philippe name on it, and it’s definitely not worth thousands of dollars. But when I wear it, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I wear it sometimes, mostly on special occasions. It’s a conversation starter, that’s for sure. People are curious, and I get to tell them the story of how I made my own version of a fancy watch.
So, that’s my story. It’s not just about making a watch; it’s about the journey, the challenges, and the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands. Would I recommend it? If you’re into watches and have a lot of patience, maybe. It’s definitely cheaper than buying the real thing, but it’s a lot of work. For me, it was worth it.
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