Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project. This time I got my hands dirty remaking a classic – the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’ve always been fascinated by the craftsmanship of these high-end pieces. So, I thought, why not try and recreate one myself? Here’s how it went down.
Getting Started
First off, I did a ton of research. I mean, you can’t just jump into a project like this without knowing what you’re dealing with. I learned that the Golden Ellipse’s design is based on the “golden section,” this ancient Greek mathematical principle that’s apparently the bee’s knees of aesthetic proportions. It’s all about this 1 / 1.6181 ratio that’s supposed to be super pleasing to the eye. Apparently, it’s in a bunch of famous art and architecture. Who knew?
Anyway, I dug up everything I could find on the 5738R. This bad boy is 8.8mm thick and 44.2mm lug-to-lug, pretty sleek if you ask me. The original also uses the automatic caliber 240 movement, known for being super thin, which allows the whole watch to be only 6mm thick. I watched a review, read some articles, and even tried to find some blueprints – no luck there, but I got a pretty good idea of what I was aiming for.
Design Phase
Once I had a solid understanding of the watch, I started sketching. I used some basic design software to try and capture that famous golden ratio in my own way. It was tougher than I thought! Getting those proportions just right was a real head-scratcher. I must’ve redrawn the thing a hundred times. It’s crazy how much work goes into making something look so simple and elegant.
Building the Prototype
This is where things got interesting. I decided to 3D print the case and some of the internal parts. Let me tell you, 3D printing is a godsend for stuff like this. It’s not perfect, and the material is obviously not the same as the rose gold Patek uses, but it gave me a good feel for the size and shape of the watch. I even managed to print a mock-up of the caliber 240 movement, just to see how it would fit.
Fitting everything together was like doing a puzzle. I had to sand down some parts, make adjustments here and there, and pray that it all came together. It was a bit rough around the edges, but hey, it was my first try. And seeing that elliptical shape come to life was pretty darn satisfying.
The Dial and Hands
For the dial, I wanted to mimic that classic sunburst finish. I experimented with different paints and techniques, and I think I got pretty close. I used some thin metal sheets for the hands and painted them to match the overall aesthetic. This part was super fiddly. I used this really thin metal sheet, cut it to shape, and painted it a nice, shiny gold. It’s not perfect, but it definitely gave it that Patek Philippe vibe.
Final Touches
Once everything was assembled, I added a simple leather strap. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it completed the look. I gotta say, holding the finished product in my hand was a pretty awesome feeling. It’s not a real Patek, obviously, but it’s a testament to what you can do with a little bit of research, some creativity, and a whole lot of patience.
What I Learned
- The golden ratio is no joke. Getting those proportions right is crucial for capturing the essence of the Golden Ellipse.
- 3D printing is amazing for prototyping. It’s not the same as working with precious metals, but it’s a great way to test out designs and get a feel for the final product.
- Watchmaking is an art. I have a newfound respect for the people who do this for a living. It takes a ton of skill, precision, and patience.
- Patek Philippe’s are popular. This was a fun project, this style is classic. I saw it everywhere from the 60s, 70s, 80s, to now in 2024.
So, there you have it – my adventure in remaking the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R. It was a challenging but rewarding experience. Would I do it again? Maybe. Would I ever attempt to make a working replica? Definitely not. But hey, I learned a lot, and that’s what matters, right?
What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever tried anything like this or if you’re just a fan of these classic watches. Peace out!
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