Man, I’ve been itching to get my hands on a classic dress watch for a while now. Something simple, you know? Something clean and elegant. So, I finally decided to go for it and remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. Yeah, the “original order” version, which is kind of a big deal in the watch world, I guess.
First off, I spent a good chunk of time looking at pictures and any info I could find about the original 5227R-001. This thing is 39mm wide and about 9.24mm thick. Not too big, not too small. It is the perfect size, I think. It’s got this rose gold case that’s just beautiful, and a simple ivory dial with gold hands. Classy, right?
Then came the fun part – finding all the parts. I managed to source a 39mm rose gold case that looked pretty darn close to the original. The thickness was almost spot on, at around 9mm. I was worried it might look bulky, but once I put it together, it felt just right.
The dial was next. I found an ivory-colored one that matched the original’s vibe. Getting those Dauphine hands in gold was a bit of a challenge, but I eventually found a set that fit perfectly. There’s a little date window at the 3 o’clock position, which is a nice touch. I made sure to get that detail right, too.
The movement inside the original is a caliber 324, which is a self-winding one. I found a similar movement, not the exact same, but one that does the job and keeps good time. Getting it all assembled was like putting together a really expensive puzzle.
I’m not gonna lie, it took some patience and a lot of double-checking to get everything lined up. But seeing the finished product was totally worth it. It looks so close to the real deal, it’s crazy!
Here’s what I ended up with:
- Case: 39mm rose gold, about 9mm thick, which is really close to the original 9.24mm.
- Dial: Ivory, just like the original, with gold Dauphine hands.
- Movement: A self-winding movement that’s similar to the original caliber 324.
- Date window: Yep, got that at 3 o’clock.
It feels great on the wrist, not too heavy, not too light. And it looks amazing, if I do say so myself. I wore it to a friend’s wedding last weekend, and got a few compliments. Felt pretty good, I’m not gonna lie.
This whole project was a blast. It’s like, I took something that’s usually way out of my reach, and made it my own. And now I’ve got a beautiful watch that I can wear every day, or on special occasions. It’s a great feeling, knowing I put it all together myself. It is really a great feeling. I mean, this is the kind of watch that people save up for, and dream about owning. And here I am, wearing one that I essentially built myself!
So, yeah, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. It was a fun ride, and I learned a lot along the way. If you’re into watches and have some time on your hands, I highly recommend giving something like this a try. It’s a super rewarding experience.
I think it is worth it
I mean, it is a really good deal. You get that high-end look and feel, without the crazy price tag. Plus, you get the satisfaction of building it yourself, which is a pretty cool bonus. And you know, this thing is probably gonna hold its value pretty well, just like the original. So, if you ever decide to sell it, you might even make a little profit. Not bad, right?
If you are into this kind of stuff, it is definitely worth checking out. Just do your research, find a good source for the parts, and take your time putting it all together. Trust me, the end result is totally worth it.
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