Okay, here’s my take on remaking the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R, classic style.
Man, I’ve always been a huge fan of watches, especially those classy, timeless pieces. The Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse has always caught my eye – that simple yet elegant design is just chef’s kiss. So, I thought, why not try to recreate it myself? I mean, how hard could it be, right? (Spoiler alert: pretty darn hard.)
First things first, I needed to get a good look at the real deal. I spent hours online, scouring through pictures and videos of the 5738R. I was studying every detail, the curves of the case, the way the light hits the dial, the subtle details on the hands and markers. My browser history was basically just a shrine to Patek Philippe at that point.
Next up, I needed to gather my materials. I decided to go with a rose gold-colored case since I love that warm tone. Finding the right case was a bit of a challenge, to be honest. I ordered a few different ones online, trying to find one that had the right shape and size. I even tried to find some on these online market places, you know the type, where you can find used stuff, but nothing was really quite right. So I went with a new one.
- Sourcing the Case: This was tough. I wanted that perfect elliptical shape, and it wasn’t easy to find. Ended up settling on one after a lot of searching.
- Dial Dilemma: I initially wanted a sunburst blue dial, like some of the original 5738Rs, but finding a good quality replica was a nightmare. I opted for a simpler black dial in the end.
- Movement Mayhem: Let’s be real, I wasn’t about to put a genuine Patek movement in this thing. I found a decent automatic movement that would do the trick. It wasn’t super cheap, but it was way more affordable than the real thing.
- Hands and Markers: These were surprisingly tricky to source. I wanted that classic, minimalist look. I scoured online shops until I found some that were close enough.
Once I had all the parts, the real fun began: assembly. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’m pretty handy. I watched a bunch of videos online to get an idea of how to put everything together. Let me tell you, it was fiddly work! Those tiny screws and delicate parts tested my patience, big time. I messed up a few times, dropped a few screws, and even almost broke the crystal once. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, the watch started to take shape.
After many, many hours of work (and a few choice words), I finally had my own version of the Golden Ellipse. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But I was pretty damn proud of it. It felt good to wear something I had created with my own two hands. It doesn’t have the “Patek Phillipe Watch.” logo, but hey, it’s my own.
My Golden Ellipse – The Final Result
It’s not an exact replica, and it certainly doesn’t have the prestige of a real Patek, but it’s mine, and I love it. It’s a reminder that even if you can’t afford the real deal, you can still create something beautiful and unique with a bit of effort and creativity.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a challenging but rewarding experience. Maybe next time, I’ll try a different model, who knows? The world of watches is vast and full of inspiration. This is just one watch of many that I love and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.
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