Hey everyone, it’s been a while! Today, I’m diving into something a bit different, but super exciting – at least for me. I got this wild idea to try and remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001, you know, that super classy watch they have on their official flagship store. It’s a pretty ambitious project, but hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge?
So, first things first, I spent hours just staring at pictures of this beauty online. I mean, this watch is a piece of art. It’s got this sleek, simple design that just screams elegance. I found out that the real deal costs like, $105,820! But on some used markets, it’s around $83,995. Still way out of my league, though. Anyway, this model, the 5088/100P, it’s not some limited edition thing; they’re still making it as of September 2024, that’s what I read.
I dug a bit deeper and learned that the Calatrava line goes way back. Like, to 1932! That’s the year the Stern family, who were known for making watch dials, took over Patek Philippe. They released the Reference 96 that year, designed by some guy named David Penney. And get this, they say whenever you imagine a classic watch, you’re probably picturing the Calatrava. How cool is that?
Alright, back to my project. My plan was to recreate the look of the 5088/100P, not to make an exact replica with all the fancy inner workings, of course. I started gathering materials. I found some old watch parts in my toolbox, and I ordered a few things online – nothing too pricey, just some basic stuff to get the look right.
Getting Hands-on
The first real step was taking apart an old watch I had lying around. It wasn’t a Patek Philippe, obviously, but it had a similar round shape. I carefully removed the hands, the dial, and the crystal. It was trickier than I thought, but I managed not to break anything. YouTube tutorials were a lifesaver, I’ll tell you that.
- Dismantled old watch
- Cleaned the parts
- Started sketching the dial design
Next up was the dial. This was the most challenging part. The 5088/100P has this gorgeous black dial with intricate, hand-engraved patterns. I knew I couldn’t replicate that level of detail, but I wanted to capture the essence of it. I used a plain black watch face and tried to paint a simple pattern on it. It took a few tries, and honestly, it wasn’t perfect, but it started to resemble the real thing.
Putting It All Together
With the dial done, it was time to put everything back together. I cleaned all the parts, replaced the crystal with a new one I bought, and carefully reattached the hands. The hands were a bit tricky because I had to make sure they were aligned perfectly. After a few attempts, I finally got it right.
The final touch was the strap. The original 5088/100P has a beautiful leather strap, but I opted for a simple black one I found online. It wasn’t as fancy, but it did the job. I attached the strap to the watch case, and there it was – my very own “remade” Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001.
Now, let me tell you, it’s nowhere near the real thing in terms of quality or craftsmanship. But, it looks pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot about watches in the process. Plus, now I have a unique timepiece that I can wear and say, “Yeah, I kinda made that.”
So, that’s my little adventure in watchmaking. It was a blast, and I’m already thinking about what I can tinker with next. Maybe a Rolex? Just kidding… or am I? Stay tuned, folks!
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