Okay, here’s my attempt at recreating the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R, told in a casual, blog-style format:
So, I’ve been eyeing the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse for a while now. It’s a classic, you know? Part 60s, part 70s, part 80s, and somehow totally 2024. I finally decided to pull the trigger and try to make my own version. Not the real deal, obviously, but a fun project to see if I could capture some of that magic.
Getting Started
First, I started digging around for info. I needed to find out what makes this watch tick, literally. Turns out, the new 5738/1R-001 model comes in rose gold and has this fancy chain-style bracelet. Apparently, it’s got, like, 363 parts, all polished by hand, with over 300 links in the bracelet alone! That’s insane! And the prices? The prices are crazy! I could have a brand new car for that amount, but they are too expensive, so I decided to find alternatives to make one by myself.
The Process
- Finding the Parts: This was a challenge. I started scouring the internet, looking for parts that looked similar. I needed a case, a dial, hands, and, of course, that iconic bracelet. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you.
- The Case: I found a decent rose gold-colored case online. It wasn’t Patek quality, but it had the right shape, so I polished it to make it shine like a brand new.
- The Dial: This was tricky. I ended up settling for a simple black dial. It doesn’t have that special Patek finish, but it does the job.
- The Bracelet: This was the biggest hurdle. That chain-style bracelet is a work of art, and there are lots of links that need to be assembled together. I found some individual links online and tried to put it together myself. It took forever, and it’s definitely not perfect, but it kinda, sorta resembles the real thing, at least from a distance. It was difficult and I almost gave up.
- Putting it Together: Once I had all the parts, I started assembling the watch. This was a delicate process. I had to be super careful not to scratch anything. Thank God, I made it!
The Result
After a lot of sweat and a few near-disasters, I finally finished my homemade Golden Ellipse. Does it look exactly like the real 5738R-001? Heck no! But, it was a fun project, and I learned a ton about watches in the process. Plus, I now have a unique timepiece that’s kind of special to me, even if it’s not a real Patek. It’s a conversation starter, for sure, and it makes me smile every time I look at it. That’s all that matters, right?
Would I recommend this to others? Maybe. If you’re patient and enjoy a challenge, go for it. Just don’t expect to fool any watch experts! And be prepared to spend a lot of time tinkering. But hey, if you end up with something cool at the end, it’s worth it, right?
Next up, I’m thinking of trying to remake a… just kidding! One watch project is enough for me for now. But who knows what the future holds? Maybe I’ll catch the watchmaking bug again someday!
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