So, I saw this awesome watch online, the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227G-010, and I thought, “I want that, but my wallet doesn’t agree.” So, I decided to try and remake it myself. Yeah, sounds crazy, right? But I was determined to figure this out.
First off, I started looking up everything I could about this watch. I mean, this thing is super fancy. It’s got a 39mm case, and it’s pretty thin, only 9.24mm. I found out that the original Calatrava, the Reference 96, came out way back in 1932. I guess good design sticks around, huh?
I got really into the details. This watch I was trying to copy? It’s the 5227G-010 model, and it’s got this Caliber 324 S C movement. Sounds complicated, but it just means it’s automatic, has a date display, and a sweeping second hand. And the dial? Oh man, it’s this beautiful black lacquered dial. Really classy, you know?
Now, I had to figure out how to make something that looked like it. I started by gathering materials. I got some metal for the case. It had to be round and about 39mm across. I spent hours just trying to get the shape right. It’s not as easy as it looks. I really wanted to get that thin profile, but let me tell you, that 9.24mm is a tough one to match.
- Case: I worked on the case first, trying to get that smooth, round shape. Bending and shaping the metal was a real workout.
- Dial: For the dial, I found a piece of black material and tried to give it that lacquered look. Polishing it took forever.
- Movement: I couldn’t make a real watch movement, of course. So, I found an old, simple watch mechanism and took it apart. I just wanted the hands to move, you know?
Putting it all together was the hardest part. I tried to make it look as close to the pictures of the 5227G-010 as I could. The date window was tricky. I had to cut out a little square and make sure it looked neat.
Finally, after a lot of trial and error, I had something that resembled the Patek Philippe Calatrava. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But I did learn a ton about watches and how they’re made. It felt like a pretty big achievement, even if it’s just a homemade version.
I wore my “Calatrava” around, and yeah, it felt pretty cool. It’s not the real deal, but it’s a reminder of what you can do with some patience and a lot of elbow grease. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!
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