Alright, folks, gather ’round. Today, I’m gonna share my little project of remaking the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, specifically the 5738R model. You know, the classic one. I’ve always been a fan of its simple, elegant design. So, I thought, why not try to recreate it myself? It was a real doozy, let me tell you.
First off, I started by collecting as much info as I could find about this watch. Scouring the internet, reading reviews, and staring at every picture I could get my hands on. I really wanted to understand the watch inside and out before even starting.
Next, I began sketching out the design. I’m no artist, but I did my best to capture the shape and proportions of the Golden Ellipse. It’s all about that unique elliptical case, right? It was tricky to get it just right, but after a few tries, I was pretty happy with my sketches.
Getting to Work
With the design down, I started thinking about the materials. The original 5738R is made of rose gold, but I decided to go with stainless steel for my remake. It’s more affordable and easier to work with. Plus, I figured I could always give it a rose gold finish later if I wanted to. I picked up a sheet of stainless steel and got to work cutting out the basic shape of the case. It was tough going, but I managed to get it done.
- Gathering info: Scoured the web, read reviews, studied images.
- Sketching: Drew out the elliptical design, focusing on shape and proportions.
- Choosing materials: Opted for stainless steel instead of rose gold.
- Cutting the case: Cut the basic shape from a sheet of stainless steel.
After that, it was time to start shaping the case. This was the hardest part, no doubt. I used a variety of tools – files, sandpaper, a Dremel – to gradually refine the shape. It was a slow and painstaking process, but I was determined to get it right. And man, when I finally had the case shaped the way I wanted, it was such a satisfying feeling.
Then came the dial. I decided to keep it simple, just like the original. I found a nice piece of black enamel and cut it to fit the case. Then, I used some gold paint to create the hour markers and the Patek Philippe logo. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
The Finishing Touches
For the movement, I used a simple quartz movement I found online. It’s not as fancy as the automatic movement in the real 5738R, but it gets the job done. And hey, it keeps pretty good time! I carefully installed the movement into the case, attached the dial, and then added the hands.
- Shaping the case: Used files, sandpaper, and a Dremel for refinement.
- Creating the dial: Cut black enamel, painted gold markers and logo.
- Choosing the movement: Opted for a simple, reliable quartz movement.
- Assembly: Installed movement, attached dial and hands.
Finally, I added a nice leather strap I picked up. And there it was – my very own homemade Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse. It took a lot of time and effort, but I was really proud of how it turned out. It’s not a perfect replica, but it captures the spirit of the original, and that’s what matters to me.
The Final Product
I wore it around for a few days, and I gotta say, it felt pretty good to have it on my wrist. It’s a real conversation starter, too. People were always asking me about it, and I was happy to tell them the story of how I made it. It’s not every day you see a homemade watch, right?
So, that’s the story of my little project. It was a fun challenge, and I learned a lot along the way. Maybe it’ll inspire some of you to try your hand at making your own watch. Who knows, you might surprise yourself with what you can create!
Click to consult