Hey everyone, I’m back with another little project of mine that I’m super excited to share! So, I’ve been totally obsessed with this watch, the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001. It’s a real masterpiece, but the price tag? Over $100,000! Yeah, not in my budget. So, I thought, why not try to remake it myself?
The Idea
It all started when I saw this beauty online. I was browsing through some watch forums and stumbled upon some pictures of the 5088/100P-001, and I was immediately hooked. I spent hours just staring at the details, the engraving, the overall design. It’s just so elegant and classic. But, like I said, it costs a fortune. So I started looking into how I could get something similar without, you know, selling my house.
Finding the Right People
First things first, I needed to find some skilled folks who could help me with this. I’m not exactly a watchmaker, and I definitely can’t engrave anything to save my life. I started by asking around in some online watch communities. I got a few leads, but nothing solid. Then, I remembered this local jeweler, John, who specializes in vintage watches. I’ve bought a couple of pieces from him before, so I figured he might know someone. Turns out, he did! He put me in touch with a watch dealer in Japan who had some experience with custom projects. I also found a local engraver who seemed pretty talented after looking through some of his work online.
Putting it all Together
- Contacting the Experts: I reached out to the watch dealer and the engraver. The watch dealer was a bit hesitant at first, but after a few emails back and forth, he agreed to help me source the parts I needed. The engraver was more enthusiastic, which was great.
- Sourcing the Parts: This was the trickiest part. We needed a base watch that looked similar to the Calatrava, and then all the other bits and pieces to make it look like the 5088/100P-001. The watch dealer really came through here. He managed to find a base watch that was pretty close, and all the other components, like the hands, the crown, and even a similar-looking strap.
- The Engraving Process: Once we had all the parts, it was time for the engraving. I sent the engraver a bunch of high-res photos of the original 5088/100P-001, and we discussed the design in detail. It took a few weeks, but he did an amazing job. Seriously, I was blown away by the level of detail he achieved.
- Assembly: After the engraving was done, the watch dealer helped me assemble everything. He’s a real pro, and he made sure everything was perfect. He even regulated the movement to make sure it was keeping good time.
The Final Result
And there you have it! My very own “remade” Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001. It’s not the real deal, of course, but it’s pretty darn close. And the best part? It cost me a fraction of the price of the original. It was such a fun project, and I learned so much along the way. Plus, I now have a unique timepiece that I’m really proud of. I took it to a local watch meet-up, and people were really impressed. They couldn’t believe it wasn’t the real thing! It started some great conversations, and I even made a few new friends who share my passion for watches. If any of you are thinking about doing something similar, just go for it! It’s a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it in the end.
Anyway, that’s it for now. Hope you enjoyed this little adventure of mine. Let me know what you think in the comments!
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