Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with watches for a while, and I got this idea to try and remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G-001. Not the real deal, of course, but a decent copy. This whole thing started when I saw the actual watch at the Watches & Wonders 2022 thing. Man, that piece is something else with its syringe hands and that textured dial. It’s just a classy look, you know?
First off, I dove deep into what makes this watch tick, literally. I found out it’s powered by an automatic Caliber 26-330 S C movement. Fancy, right? I read somewhere that the real ones have this “750” mark for 18k gold and “950” for platinum. Plus, the serial numbers are a big deal. They’re usually on the case back, but if it’s a see-through back, the number’s inside. I made a note of all this.
I started gathering materials, keeping in mind the white gold look of the original. I didn’t go for real gold or anything, but something that looked the part. I also paid attention to the little details, like how the real ones have the Calatrava Cross and the Patek Philippe logo on the straps. I tried to mimic that on mine.
- First, I sketched out the design, focusing on getting the look of that textured dial right.
- Then, I worked on the case, making sure it had that same vibe as the 5226G-001.
- After that, I focused on the hands. Those syringe hands are pretty unique, so I spent a good chunk of time getting them to look right.
- The strap was next. I made sure it had the Calatrava Cross and the brand logo, just like the real deal.
Putting it all together was tricky. I had to be super careful with the movement. It’s not a real Caliber 26-330 S C, but I wanted it to at least look the part. I spent hours just making sure everything fit right and worked okay.
The Final Touches
After assembling everything, I stepped back to look at my work. It wasn’t perfect, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. It looked a lot like the 5226G-001, at least to me. I even added those hallmark imitations, just for kicks.
This project was a lot of fun and I learned a ton about watches. I mean, I know it’s not the same as owning a real Patek Philippe, but it’s cool to have made something that looks like one. Plus, it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg, which is always a bonus, it’s a good start, I guess.
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