Today, I wanna talk about remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001, a real classic style watch. It’s a pretty fancy piece, you know, the kind that makes you feel like a million bucks.
Getting Started
First thing I did was look up a bunch of info on this watch. Found out it’s got this automatic movement, the Calibre 240, which apparently can run for 48 hours straight without winding. That’s pretty cool. And it’s got a sapphire crystal that’s supposed to be scratch-resistant, a screw-down crown, and a see-through back so you can see all the inner workings. The case is round, 38 mm across, and 8.3 mm thick. It’s also water-resistant up to 30 meters, but I wouldn’t go swimming with it, just in case.
Planning the Remake
So, I figured I needed to find parts that matched all these specs. I spent a good chunk of time browsing online stores. The original watch is pretty pricey, like over a hundred grand. You can find it used for around $83,000, but that’s still way out of my budget. So, I looked for parts that looked similar but didn’t cost an arm and a leg.
Finding the Parts
- Movement: I found a decent automatic movement that looked a bit like the Calibre 240. It wasn’t the real deal, but it did the job.
- Case: This was tricky. I wanted something that looked like the original, with that platinum vibe. I ended up getting a stainless steel case with a similar shape and size.
- Crystal: Getting a sapphire crystal wasn’t too hard. There are plenty of those around.
- Crown: I found a screw-down crown that fit the case, so that was sorted.
- Dial: This was the hardest part. The original has this fancy engraved dial. I settled for a plain black dial, but I might try to get it engraved later.
- Strap: I got a simple leather strap with a tang clasp, just like the original.
Putting It Together
This was the fun part. I carefully assembled all the parts, making sure everything fit together nicely. It took a while, and I had to be really patient, but it was worth it. It was pretty satisfying to see it all come together.
The Final Result
The finished watch looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. It’s not an exact replica, of course, but it captures the spirit of the original. It’s got that classic look, and it feels great on the wrist. And the best part is, it didn’t cost me a fortune. It’s not perfect, and I’m sure a real watch expert could spot the differences in a second, but I’m happy with it. It’s a nice little project that I’m proud of, and it’s a watch I can wear without worrying about scratching a $100,000 timepiece. I might even try to improve it later, maybe add some engravings or find a better movement. Who knows?