So, I recently took on the project of remaking a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. You know, the one you see in those fancy stores? Yeah, that one. I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” I’ve always been a hands-on kind of guy, and the idea of recreating something so intricate really got me going.
First thing I did was I looked everywhere to find some resources about this watch. I found out that the original has a diameter of 27 mm and is 3.3 mm thick. It’s made up of 212 parts and has 30 jewels. Those details are important, man. So, I marked all of these down in my notebook, making sure I didn’t miss anything.
Then I started looking at the movement. This watch uses a self-winding caliber 324 movement. Sounds complicated, right? It’s constructed with 29 jewels and has this shock absorber mechanism. I spent hours just studying how this thing works, watching videos, reading articles, whatever I could get my hands on. I sketched out the movement in my notebook and felt like I was really getting somewhere.
- Movement: Self-winding caliber 324
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Thickness: 3.3 mm
- Parts: 212
- Jewels: 30
After I kinda got the hang of the movement, I started sourcing parts. This was a pain, I won’t lie. I looked around for hours, comparing prices and trying to find the best deals. I found some parts that were way too expensive, like over $44,000! I mean, come on! But then I found some more reasonable deals, like around $32 for some parts. It was a mix of frustration and excitement.
Once I got my hands on the parts, I started putting it together. It was tough, really tough. But I kept at it, following my notes, and double-checking everything. I started with the movement, carefully placing each jewel and part. Then I worked on the case, the dial, and the hands. It felt like I was doing surgery or something, man. Every little piece had to be perfect.
After a lot of trial and error, and a few late nights, I finally finished it. I have to say, it was one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done. Seeing the finished watch, knowing I put it together with my own hands, was amazing. I wound it up, and it started ticking. I couldn’t believe it, it actually worked!
Results
In the end, I learned so much from this project. Not just about watches, but about patience, and paying attention to details. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but the feeling of accomplishment was worth it. I’ve even thought about doing other models, but we’ll see. For now, I’m just proud of what I’ve done. And hey, if you’re thinking about doing something like this, go for it! It’s a wild ride, but totally worth it.
Click to consult