Alright, so I’ve been tinkering with this watch project for a while now, and I thought I’d share the whole shebang with y’all. I decided to try my hand at remaking the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227R-001. Yeah, that classic style one.
First off, I started by gathering all the bits and pieces. This thing’s got a case diameter of 39 mm and it’s about 9.24 mm thick. Not too big, not too small, just right in the sweet spot, you know? I made sure to get a case that could handle a little splash, rated up to 30 meters underwater. You never know when you might accidentally drop it in the sink or something.
Then, I moved on to the guts of the watch. This is where it gets interesting. I managed to find a movement that’s pretty thin, only 2.55 mm. And let me tell you, fitting all those 164 parts into such a tiny space was a real test of patience. I remember back in the day, they released the Reference 96 in 1932, which was also from Patek Philippe. This one’s a bit more modern, though. It’s self-winding, so you don’t need to mess with it much. Plus, it’s got a shock absorber, which is great if you’re as clumsy as I am.
Next, I focused on the case back. I got a sapphire crystal one, so you can see all the tiny gears and stuff working together. It’s pretty neat. And get this – it’s got a dust cover that’s hinged, but you can barely see it. It’s like a little secret door for your watch.
Putting It All Together
- Started by carefully assembling the movement, piece by tiny piece.
- Attached the movement to the dial, which was a plain and simple one, not all flashy.
- Placed the whole thing into the case and secured it.
- Added the hands and the strap.
- Checked and double-checked that everything was running smoothly.
After a lot of trial and error, and maybe a few choice words here and there, I finally got it all put together. And I gotta say, it turned out pretty darn good. It’s got that classic look, simple and clean, not covered in bling like some of those other watches you see around.
I’ve been wearing it around for a few weeks now, and it’s been keeping time like a champ. Some folks like to collect these, like stamps or something. I just like making them. It is fun.
So, if you’re ever thinking about trying to make your own watch, I say go for it. It’s a real challenge, but it’s worth it in the end. Just be prepared to spend some time on it, and don’t be afraid to mess up a few times. That’s how you learn, right?
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