Alright, folks, gather ’round. Today, I’m gonna walk you through my little project of remaking the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R. Yeah, you heard that right. It was a tough challenge, but hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge, right?
So, first off, I got this wild idea when I was surfing the internet. This watch, the Golden Ellipse, it’s not just any watch. It’s based on something called the “golden section” some old Greek math stuff. The ratio is like 1 to 1.6181, and they say it’s in a bunch of famous art and buildings. That is so cool! I definitely want it.
I started by gathering all the info I could find on this beauty. Pictures, specs, any detail I could get my hands on. Then came the fun part – or the headache, depending on how you look at it – breaking down the watch into its parts. I sketched and planned, trying to figure out how to bring this design to life. You know, this watch’s design is special. They say it’s a mix of the Nautilus and the Golden Ellipse, with these “ears” on the shape. I needed to get that right.
Then it’s time to do it!
-
Design and Planning: First, I sketched out the watch’s case. I paid close attention to the elliptical shape and those signature “ears.” Getting the dimensions just right was a pain, but crucial. I used the golden ratio, 1:1.6181, to make sure the proportions were spot on.
-
Selecting Materials: I wanted this remake to feel premium, I chose high-quality gold-like material for the case, I couldn’t find the right leather at first, but I settled on a decent one that looked the part.
-
Creating the Case: This was the hardest part. I used a mix of tools I found in my garage. I shaped the metal carefully, trying to get that perfect ellipse. It took a few tries, honestly. I messed up a couple of times, but eventually, I got it right. The “ears” were tricky, but I managed to mold them to match the original design.
-
Dial and Hands: For the dial, I used a sunburst pattern, just like the original. I printed it out on special paper and stuck it onto a thin metal base. The hands were delicate. I cut them out from thin sheets of metal, painted them, and fixed them onto the dial. This required a steady hand, let me tell you.
-
Movement: I had an old quartz movement lying around. Not as fancy as the original’s 3770, but it does the job. I had to tweak it a bit to fit the case, but it worked out in the end.
-
Assembly: Putting it all together was like solving a puzzle. I carefully placed the dial inside the case, secured the movement, and attached the strap. Seeing it all come together was satisfying.
After countless hours of work, multiple failed attempts, and a lot of patience, I finally had my own version of the Golden Ellipse 5738R. It wasn’t easy, and it’s definitely not perfect, but I’m proud of what I accomplished. It’s a unique piece, and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the journey it took to get there.
And that’s my story, folks. It’s not just about making a watch; it’s about the process, the learning, and the sheer joy of creating something with your own two hands. Hope you enjoyed this little adventure of mine!
Click to consult