Okay, so, today I’m gonna talk about remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001, which I found in an online store. Man, this watch is a beauty. The real one’s, like, over 80 grand on the pre-owned market, which is way out of my league. But hey, that didn’t stop me from trying to recreate it, right?
First off, I started digging into what makes this watch tick. I found out it’s a pretty classic design, called the Calatrava, designed by David Penney, and it came out way back in 1932. This particular model, the 5088/100P, it’s a platinum one, with a 38mm case and this awesome hand-engraved black enamel dial. Looks super classy. It’s also a limited edition, only 10 pieces were made in 2015, which makes it even more special.
Getting Down to Business
So, how did I go about remaking this? Well, I started by finding a decent watch case that’s similar in size, around 38mm. Platinum was out of the question – too pricey. I settled for a stainless steel one instead. It’s not the same, but it’s got that shiny look, you know?
The dial was the trickiest part. The original has this intricate hand-engraved design with black enamel. I’m no artist, so I had to get creative. I found some high-quality images of the dial online and started playing around with them. I ended up using a laser engraver to get a similar pattern on a piece of metal. Then I painted it black, trying to mimic that enamel look. It’s not perfect, but it does give that textured, hand-crafted vibe.
Movement Matters
Now, the movement. The real 5088/100P has an ultra-thin self-winding mechanical movement. I couldn’t get my hands on anything like that, so I opted for a reliable quartz movement. It’s not the same, but it keeps time well, and it’s way more affordable. Plus, it’s slim enough to fit in the case I got.
- Sourcing the Case: Found a stainless steel case, 38mm, looked close enough.
- Dial Design: Used a laser engraver to mimic the hand-engraved pattern, painted it black.
- Movement: Settled for a quartz movement, reliable and affordable.
Putting It All Together
Once I had all the parts, it was time to assemble. This was the fun part! I carefully placed the dial in the case, then added the movement. I found some hands that matched the original design, thin and elegant. Finally, I attached a nice black leather strap, similar to what you’d find on the real deal. The official website lists it as a black leather strap, so I picked something close.
The Final Result
And there you have it, my homemade Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001. It’s not a perfect replica, but it captures the essence of the original. It’s got that classic look, the detailed dial, and it feels pretty good on the wrist. Plus, it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. I learned so much in this process, and I’m pretty happy that I could make a watch that looks as good as this one, despite the original price being way out of my budget.
So, yeah, that’s my little watchmaking adventure. It was a fun project, and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. Maybe next time, I’ll try to tackle an even more complicated watch. Who knows? But for now, I’m gonna enjoy wearing my “Patek” and maybe tricking a few people along the way. Just kidding… or am I?
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