Let me tell you, today was quite the day. I decided to roll up my sleeves and remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001, and boy, was it a journey. I’ve always been fascinated by these watches, especially this model. I mean, just look at it – it’s a piece of art!
So, where did I start? Well, I gathered all the information I could find. I learned that this beauty has a 38 mm platinum case, and it’s only 8.3 mm thick. That’s pretty darn slim for such an intricate piece. The dial is hand-engraved and covered with black enamel. I did a little digging, and it turns out this model is a current production model as of September 2024. The retail price is something around $105,820, but on the pre-owned market, it goes for about $83,995.
Getting into the nitty-gritty, I started with the case. Replicating that platinum feel wasn’t easy. I had to get the weight and the shine just right. I spent hours shaping and polishing the case to get that perfect look. Then came the dial. The hand-engraved part was the most challenging. I don’t have the same tools as the Patek Philippe artisans, but I did my best to mimic the intricate patterns. The black enamel was another beast altogether. It needed to be smooth and flawless, without any bubbles or imperfections.
- First, I worked on the case, shaping and polishing it to perfection.
- Then, I tackled the dial, focusing on the hand-engraved details.
- Next, I applied the black enamel, ensuring it was smooth and perfect.
The movement was something else. The Calatrava 5088/100P-001 uses the caliber 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement. It’s known for its approximately 48 hours of power reserve. Recreating this was tough. I had to make sure all the tiny parts worked together seamlessly. I’m not gonna lie; there were moments when I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew. But I kept at it, driven by the vision of the finished piece.
The Final Touches
After countless hours of work, I finally started to see my Patek Philippe Calatrava come together. The last steps were assembling all the parts and doing the final checks. I made sure the movement was running smoothly, the hands were aligned, and the enamel was shining just right. Seeing it all come together was incredibly satisfying.
I know my remake isn’t a genuine Patek Philippe. It doesn’t have the same history or the same level of craftsmanship. But for me, it’s a symbol of my passion and dedication. It’s a reminder that with enough effort and patience, you can create something beautiful.
This whole experience has been a wild ride. I’ve learned so much about watchmaking and about myself. And you know what? I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe I’ll try my hand at a Nautilus next. Who knows? The sky’s the limit!
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