Alright, so I got this idea in my head to remake a Patek Philippe Calatrava, the 5226G-001 model. You know, that classic style everyone’s been talking about. First off, I started digging around to see what this watch was all about. Found out it’s a pretty big deal in the watch world, known for its simple yet classy look.
I started by sketching out the design, focusing on what makes this watch stand out. It’s got these cool-looking hands, they call them “syringe hands” because they look like needles. I drew those out carefully. Then there’s the face of the watch, which isn’t just flat – it’s textured, adding a bit of depth to it. I made sure to get that texture right in my drawings.
- Gathered all the materials I thought I’d need. Since I’m not using real white gold like the original, I had to find something that looks close enough.
- Started working on the case. The original is 40mm in diameter and 8.53mm thick, so I measured and cut my materials to match these dimensions. It wasn’t easy getting it to look just right, but after a few tries, I was pretty happy with it.
- Next up were those syringe hands. This was tough. I had to shape them so they’d look like the real deal, and let me tell you, it took some patience. But I managed to get them done.
- The dial was another challenge. I tried different techniques to get that textured look. After experimenting a bit, I found a method that worked pretty well. It’s not perfect, but it gives the dial that unique character.
- Putting it all together was the final step. I carefully assembled the case, the dial, and the hands. I also added a calfskin strap, just like the original, to complete the look.
After all that work, I finally finished my version of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5226G-001. It’s not an exact replica, but I think I captured the essence of its classic style. It’s definitely not something I’d wear every day, maybe not even for gardening or something like that. It’s more of a special occasion kind of watch.
Looking back
I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. Would I do it again? Maybe. It’s a lot of work, but seeing the finished product makes it all worth it. This whole experience just goes to show that with a bit of patience and creativity, you can create something pretty special.
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