Alright, folks, let’s talk about watches. Not just any watch, mind you, but a fancy one, a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. I got it in my head to try and remake one of these. It is the “original order” version. You know, the classic style, rose gold, the whole nine yards. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’ve always been handy, and I figured, why not give it a shot?
First things first, I did some digging. Found out this 5227R-001 is a 39mm, which means it’s not too big, not too small. It is just right. It’s got this ivory-colored dial, which is pretty classy, and the case is made of 18K rose gold. Sounds expensive, right? It is. But we’re not here to talk about the price tag. We’re here to talk about making one.
So, I started by gathering my tools and materials. I needed a good quality movement, and let me tell you, finding one wasn’t easy. But after a bit of searching, I managed to get my hands on a decent one, self-winding, with a shock absorber, just like the real deal. I also needed a case, a dial, hands, and all the other little bits and pieces that make up a watch.
Getting the case right was tricky. I wanted it to be rose gold, like the original, but I didn’t want to spend a fortune. So, I found a good quality replica case that looked the part. It wasn’t real gold, but it had the right color and shine. Close enough, I figured.
The Dial
The dial was another challenge. I wanted that ivory color, and I wanted it to look clean and simple, just like the Patek Philippe. I ended up using a plain white dial and aging it myself. I tried a few different methods, like using tea and coffee, but ended up using a special kind of paint that gave me the exact color I was looking for.
Once I had all the parts, it was time to put it all together. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. It took a lot of patience, a steady hand, and a whole lot of trial and error. But eventually, I managed to assemble the whole thing. And you know what? It actually worked!
The Result
- Case: 39mm replica rose gold case, 9.24mm thick. Not real gold, but looks the part.
- Dial: Aged white dial, achieved the ivory color I wanted.
- Movement: Self-winding movement with a shock absorber.
- Hands: Replica hands, similar to the original design.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal for the case back, with a hinged dust cover just because I can do it.
Now, it’s not a real Patek Philippe, and I’m not trying to pass it off as one. But it looks pretty darn close, and it’s a fun project I’m proud of. It’s got that classic style, that simple, elegant look that I really like. And it keeps time just fine, which is all you can really ask for in a watch, right?
So, there you have it, my adventure in trying to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. It was a fun challenge, and I learned a lot along the way. Maybe I’ll try another one someday. But for now, I’m happy with my little creation.
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