Alright, let’s talk about my recent project – remaking the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R, the one they made for specialty stores. This wasn’t just any watch; it was the one they dropped to celebrate the model’s 50th anniversary, all in pink gold with that sleek ebony black sunburst dial. It’s a beauty, no doubt.
So, I started by digging up everything I could find about this watch. Pictures, articles, you name it. I scoured forums and auction sites, basically anywhere that had info on the 5738R. It took a bit of work to find it because of it being a rare watch.
Next, I had to figure out the materials. The original is in rose gold, which is not exactly something you pick up at your local craft store. I spent a good chunk of time researching different types of rose gold plating and what would give me that authentic look without breaking the bank. It was surprisingly hard to find it, I went through so many stores online and offline.
- The dial was another challenge. That sunburst effect is pretty unique. I tried a couple of different techniques, from hand-painting to using some pretty fine brushes. Ended up using a combination of techniques to get it just right.
- The hands and markers on the dial are super delicate. I practiced making these about a million times, I swear. It’s all about getting the proportions perfect.
Putting it all together was like assembling a puzzle where you don’t even know if you have all the pieces. I had to be super careful, especially with the movement. I used a standard movement but modified it slightly to fit the elliptical case. And I do mean slightly. One wrong move and I could’ve messed up the whole thing.
Honestly, there were a few times I thought about giving up. Like when I ruined the first dial I made. Or when I spent days trying to get the gold plating to look just right. But I kept at it, because, well, I’m stubborn like that. And I really wanted to see this project through.
Finally, after weeks of work, it was done. And let me tell you, holding that finished watch in my hand was an amazing feeling. It’s not a perfect replica, of course. There are tiny differences here and there. But it captures the spirit of the original, and that’s what I was going for.
The Result
So, yeah, that’s the story of how I remade the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R. It was a wild ride, full of ups and downs. Would I do it again? Maybe. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy wearing this beauty on my wrist. It’s a reminder that with enough patience and effort, you can create something truly special. A good end I would say.
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