Alright, folks, let’s talk about this whole Patek Philippe Calatrava 5088/100P-001 thing. I started getting into watches a while back, and this Patek Philippe, man, it’s something else. It’s called the Calatrava, model number 5088/100P-001. Beautiful watch, but the price tag? Over 100 grand at retail! On the secondary market, you’re still looking at over 80, no way I could drop that kind of cash on a watch.
So, I started digging. I found out that these Calatrava models are made of platinum. Fancy, right? And they have this sapphire-crystal back, so you can see all the little gears and stuff moving inside. This one has a movement called Caliber 240. I did consider waiting. I learned that the waitlist for a Calatrava can be around 9 months to a year. For a remake? Forget about it.
Then, I started thinking, “What if I could get something that looked like the Patek Philippe without, you know, going broke?” That’s when I went down the remake rabbit hole. I searched high and low, reading forums, and comparing pictures. It seemed possible, maybe, just maybe, I could pull this off.
I contacted a bunch of places that make remakes and learned what to look for. Finally, I found one that looked pretty darn close to the real deal. I pulled the trigger and ordered it. When it arrived, I was actually impressed. It’s got some weight to it, feels solid. The engraving looked similar, and that black dial is sharp. The engravings on the one I got are hand-done, which is pretty cool.
Here’s what I did next:
- I studied a bunch of close-up photos of real 5088/100P-001s. I mean, I really looked at the details, the engravings, the way the light hits the dial, everything.
- Then, I compared those photos to the remake. I looked at them side-by-side, trying to spot any differences.
- I even took it to a local watch guy, not a Patek Philippe dealer, obviously, but a guy who knows his stuff. I asked for his opinion, how close it looked, and what stood out as different.
Look, it’s not a real Patek Philippe. Let’s be honest. But for the price? It’s a solid watch, and it scratches that itch for the Calatrava style. It makes me happy wearing it, and that’s what counts, right?
Final Thoughts
If you’re like me, and you love that classic Patek Philippe look, but your wallet’s not quite ready for that kind of commitment, this remake route might be something to explore. This 5088/100P-001 remake, it’s a pretty good option for us regular folks.
I’ll keep wearing mine and see how it holds up. Maybe I’ll do an update later on. For now, I’m enjoying the look and feel of this thing. It’s a reminder that sometimes, you can get the style you want without breaking the bank.
Click to consult