Hey everyone, today I’m gonna show you how I remade the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G-001. This watch is a real beauty, classic style, you know? So, let’s get into it.
First off, I spent a good chunk of time just staring at pictures of the original 5226G-001. I mean, really looking at it. They first made a similar one, the Reference 96, way back in 1932, so there’s a lot of history there. I browsed a bunch of websites to see what people were saying about it and to compare prices. Gotta know what you’re dealing with, right?
Then, I started gathering my materials. This watch has a white gold case, so I made sure I got some good quality stuff. I am not going to use the real white gold though. It is too expensive. I needed to make sure I had all the right tools too. You can’t just throw something like this together with any old stuff, you need precision.
Next, I started working on the watch face. The 5226G-001 has a really clean, simple dial. Hours, minutes. I carefully crafted each part, trying to match the original as closely as possible. It’s all about the little details.
- I started by sketching out the design on paper, just to get a feel for the proportions.
- Then, I moved on to the computer and used some software to create a more precise model.
- Once I was happy with the digital design, I started working with the actual materials.
The movement is the heart of the watch. I went with a self-winding Caliber 26-330 S C, which is similar to what the original uses. Putting it all together was a real challenge. Tiny screws, delicate parts, you gotta have steady hands for this kind of work. And don’t rush the process, I am not good at this.
Finally, after many hours and a few hiccups along the way, I had my own version of the 5226G-001. It is not perfect, some details are not that good, but I’m pretty proud of it. It’s not the real deal, of course, but it captures the essence of that classic Patek Philippe style. I can not make it exactly the same, it is just a remake.
I wore it around for a few days, just to see how it felt. It’s a great feeling to wear something you’ve made yourself, especially when it’s inspired by such a legendary watch. And I have to say, I’m really happy with how it turned out.
So, that’s my journey of remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G-001. It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it. Hope you enjoyed the ride!
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