Today, I tried to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227G-010, that classic style really got me. I mean, it’s a luxury watch, you know? Exceptional craftsmanship, a status symbol, the whole deal. But would I wear it every day? Probably not.
So, I started digging around. First thing, I noticed in 2022 Patek Philippe made a new watch, the 5226G. It’s kind of like the 5227, both are white gold. But the 5226G, it’s a bit bigger, 40 millimeters, and it doesn’t have that hunter case back, so it feels thinner.
Then I looked at the Calatrava 5227G-010 specifically. That “Clous de Paris” bezel, the hands, it all gives it a bolder look than the older models. Makes you want to wear it more often, not just for fancy occasions.
I got curious about how long people wait for these watches. Turns out, it can be up to 8 years for some models, like the Nautilus! Crazy, right?
My Remake Process
- Gathering References: I spent hours looking at pictures of the 5227G-010. I mean, really studying them. Front, back, sides, close-ups of the details. The more the better.
- Finding Similar Materials: White gold is not cheap, obviously. So I had to find something that looked similar but wouldn’t break the bank. Found some decent white gold plated pieces that could work.
- The Dial: This was tough. Recreating that textured dial, the hands, it’s all so precise. I tried a few different techniques, using some small tools, and eventually, I got something that looked okay. Not perfect, but close enough.
- Putting it Together: This was the fun part, but also stressful. Getting all the pieces to fit just right, making sure the movement worked… it took a few tries, I messed up a couple of times, but finally, I had something that resembled the 5227G-010.
I even found some info about the used prices online, it seems the year of production is 2019. Some sites list them as “good” condition, but no original box, just the papers. You can even buy a 5227G-010 watch online.
The whole project was a great learning experience. Would my remake fool an expert? No way. But it was fun to try, and I learned a lot about what goes into making a watch like this. It also made me appreciate the real deal even more.
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