Hey everyone, today I’m going to share my experience of remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G-001. It’s a real classic, and I’ve always wanted to try my hand at recreating one. So, let’s dive in!
First off, I started by doing a ton of research. I mean, you can’t just jump into something like this without knowing what you’re doing. I looked up everything I could find about the Calatrava 5226G-001, especially focusing on how long it typically takes to make one. Turns out, it’s about a year or more. This really set the stage for me. It made me appreciate the craftsmanship involved.
I gathered all the materials, which was a challenge in itself. Getting the right kind of 18K white gold for the 40mm case was no joke! I wanted to get as close as possible to the real thing, so I spent a lot of time sourcing the right quality materials. That includes obtaining a Patek Philippe box just like the original one.
After that, I began working on the case. It took some time, but I carefully shaped the white gold, trying to get that perfect round shape that the Calatrava is known for. I must say, it wasn’t easy, but I wanted to take my time and not rush things.
The next step was the dial. This part was really intricate. I spent hours just looking at pictures of the original, trying to figure out how to best replicate the texture and the layout of the markers. This involved some trial and error. I tried a few different techniques before I settled on one that looked decent enough.
The hands were another challenge. They’re so delicate, and getting them to look right took me several attempts. I messed up a few times, but that’s part of the process. Getting the shape and the movement right was tough, but super rewarding when I finally nailed it.
- Designing: I made some rough sketches and plans.
- Crafting the case: This took some serious elbow grease.
- Making the dial: Lots of trial and error here.
- Assembling the hands: So tiny, so frustrating, but so satisfying!
Finally, I put it all together. Seeing all the parts come together was such a thrill. It’s not perfect, and it’s definitely not a real Patek Philippe, but it’s my take on it, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out.
This whole process took me a good while, longer than I initially expected. But I learned a lot along the way. It’s one thing to read about these watches, but making one, even a remake, gives you a whole new level of appreciation for the real deal. I heard that the waiting time for a new Patek Philippe could be up to 8 years for some models, now I can understand why there is always such a long waiting list.
My Thoughts
This was a fun project. It was tough, no doubt, but totally worth it. Would I do it again? Maybe. It’s a lot of work, but there’s something really satisfying about creating something like this with your own hands. If you’re into watches and looking for a challenging project, I’d say give it a shot. Just be prepared to put in the time and effort!
Alright, that’s it for my Calatrava 5226G-001 remake journey. Hope you guys enjoyed the ride. Let me know what you think in the comments, and stay tuned for more projects!
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