Okay, so, let’s talk about this watch project I’ve been messing around with. I wanted to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227J-001, you know, the one with the 39 mm yellow gold case. It’s a real classic, super simple and clean, the kind of watch that just screams good taste without being all flashy.
Started this whole thing by just staring at pictures of the original, trying to get a feel for it. I mean, the pictures online showed me what the watch looked like, and I tried to write down the numbers and words on it so I could find similar parts, like the 39mm case in yellow gold. Then, I started hunting down parts. Finding a case that was the right size and had that same kind of simple look was a bit of a chore, not gonna lie. But after a bit of digging, I managed to find one that was pretty darn close.
Next up was the movement. Now, I’m not exactly a watchmaker, so I wasn’t about to build one from scratch. I did some reading up on the original, saw that it uses something called a “caliber 324 S C,” which I learned is made of 217 parts and beats at 28,800 vph. I found a similar automatic movement. I know the watch is known for using Patek Philippe caliber 324 S C, I tried to learn more about this from the internet, and the 217 parts, the movement had to be reliable, obviously, but also not too bulky. Getting the hands to fit right took a bit of fiddling, but eventually, I got there.
The dial was another adventure. I wanted that clean, simple look of the original Calatrava, so I went with a plain white one. Getting the markers and the logo just right was a bit of a pain, to be honest. Lots of trial and error, but hey, that’s half the fun, right?
- First, got the case, 39mm, yellow gold, just like the real deal.
- Then, the movement. Found a nice automatic one, not too chunky.
- Dial, plain white, simple and clean. Markers were a bit tricky.
- Hands, had to fiddle a bit to get them to fit, but they look good now.
- Strap, just a simple leather one. Classic.
Putting it all together was, well, let’s just say it was a learning experience. Lots of tiny screws and delicate parts. Definitely tested my patience a few times. But, after a lot of careful work, and maybe a few curse words, I finally had it all assembled.
And you know what? It actually looks pretty good! It’s not a perfect replica, obviously. The original is way out of my budget. The price is around $29,500 – $40. But it captures the spirit of the Calatrava, that simple elegance. And the best part? I made it myself. It’s not about having a fancy name on it, but about the process, the challenge, and the satisfaction of seeing it all come together.
It’s been a fun ride, this whole watch project. Learned a lot, messed up a few times, but ended up with something I’m pretty proud of. And who knows, maybe this is just the start. Maybe I’ll try my hand at another classic sometime. We’ll see!
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