Hey everyone, I just gotta share my latest project with you all. I’ve been working on remaking a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, specifically the 5738R model. Let me tell you, it’s been quite the journey!
Getting Started
First off, I started by gathering all the information I could find about this watch. I dug up every bit of detail on the 5738R. Looked at tons of pictures, read through articles that mentioned stuff like the watch being made of rose gold, having an automatic movement, and being in “very good” condition. A lot of listings were going for around $27,821 to $36,789, which is way out of my budget, haha! But it gave me a good idea of what I was aiming for.
The Design
Then, I focused on the design. This watch is famous for its elliptical case, inspired by the golden ratio. It’s 39.5mm x 34.5mm, and made of 18k rose gold. I found out the original has a deep black sunburst dial, which looked really stunning in the pictures. I also learned that the retail price of the real deal is around $38,060. I’m not trying to sell this, just wanted to make something for my self. And I read that it was made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Golden Ellipse. That’s cool, huh?
The Movement
The movement is where things got tricky. The original uses a Patek Philippe caliber 240 automatic movement. It’s got 27 jewels, 161 parts, and beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. Plus, it has a power reserve of about 48 hours. I obviously couldn’t replicate that exactly, but I found a decent automatic movement that could fit the bill and provide a similar feel.
Putting It Together
I started piecing everything together. Got a rose gold-colored case that matched the elliptical shape, made sure the dimensions were as close as possible. Then I found a black dial, tried to make it look like the sunburst effect that I saw in the photos. The hands and hour markers were a bit of a challenge, but I managed to find some that looked pretty close to the original.
The Strap
Now, the original 5738R has a metal bracelet, which was introduced to celebrate the model’s 50th anniversary. This bracelet is made of links set in rows, like those old-school chain bracelets. I tried a few different straps. Leather, metal, you name it. I wanted something that felt right and looked good with the watch’s design.
Final Touches
- Scratch-resistant crystal: I made sure to use a scratch-resistant crystal. I read that the original has one, and it’s a must-have for any decent watch.
- Adjustments: I spent a good amount of time making small adjustments. Tweaking the dial, adjusting the hands, making sure the movement was running smoothly.
- Wearing it: Finally, I got to wear it! It felt amazing to see all that hard work pay off. I’m not gonna lie, it’s not perfect, but it’s pretty darn close to what I envisioned.
So yeah, that’s my remake of the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R. It’s been a fun and challenging project. Learned a lot along the way, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. Hope you guys enjoyed hearing about it!
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