Alright, let’s dive into this project. I’ve always been fascinated by classic watches, and the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R has been on my radar for a while. The clean, elegant design is just something else. So, I decided to try and remake one myself.
First off, I started by gathering all the info I could find about the watch. I read that its design is based on the “golden section” – some ancient Greek math stuff. Apparently, this ratio, 1 / 1.6181, is the foundation of many great artworks. Sounds cool, right? I dug up some pictures and specs online. It’s about 34.5 x 39.5 mm, made of 18k rose gold, and usually comes with a black alligator leather strap.
Next, I needed to get the materials. I couldn’t afford real rose gold, of course, so I opted for a rose gold-colored alloy instead. It’s not the same, but it gives a similar vibe. For the strap, I found some faux leather that looked pretty decent. I mean I can not use the real leather, right?
The hardest part was shaping the case. I used some basic metalworking tools, a file, a small hammer, and a lot of patience. I sketched out the elliptical shape on the alloy and carefully started to cut and file it down. It took a few tries to get it right. I’m not a professional, so it’s not perfect, but I’m happy with how it turned out. I kept comparing it to the pictures I found to make sure I was on the right track. Oh, I even know that the 3770 model is a hybrid between the Nautilus and the Golden Ellipse, and it has these distinctive “ears.” Mine doesn’t have those, but it still captures the essence of the design, I guess.
For the dial, I kept it simple. I found a plain, dark-colored material and cut it to fit inside the case. I marked the hours with tiny pieces of the same rose gold-colored alloy. It’s not super precise, but it looks alright from a distance. And, about the price, from a website I find that a real one of these can go for around $27,821. Crazy, right? Mine obviously didn’t cost that much, but it still feels special to me.
- Research: Looked up everything about the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R.
- Materials: Got a rose gold-colored alloy and faux leather.
- Shaping: Cut and filed the alloy to create the elliptical case.
- Dial: Made a simple dial with hour markers from the alloy.
- Assembly: Put it all together, added the faux leather strap.
Here’s a quick rundown of the steps I took:
In the end, I spent a good chunk of time on this project, but I’m pretty proud of the result. It’s not a perfect replica, but it captures the spirit of the Golden Ellipse. Plus, it’s a unique piece that I made with my own hands. I even wore it to a friend’s party, and while no one mistook it for a real Patek Philippe, they all thought it was a cool project, and some even asked where I bought it. That felt pretty good, not gonna lie. It’s a conversation starter, that’s for sure. This whole experience has given me a new appreciation for watchmaking. It’s a lot harder than it looks! I might try another watch project in the future, who knows? Maybe something with a bit more detail next time.
Click to consult