So, I’ve been messing around with this idea to remake a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, specifically the 5738R model you see in specialty stores. It’s a real beauty, and I wanted to see if I could capture some of that magic.
I started by just staring at a bunch of pictures of the watch online. Man, that thing is pretty. The shape is not quite a circle, not quite a rectangle, something in between, they called it “ovoid” on the internet. And it’s all based on this “golden section” thing, some ratio the old Greek guys came up with. It’s supposed to be, like, the perfect proportion or something. So, I spent hours just staring at pictures from different angles.
Then, I tried to capture the basic shape. It’s trickier than it looks! It’s not just about getting the curves right, but also the way the light hits it. I sketched, erased, sketched some more. I even made a few physical models out of cardboard, just to get a feel for the dimensions.
Once I had the basic form down, I started thinking about the materials. I don’t have access to rose gold or fancy stuff, so I decided to use some brass I had lying around. I cut and shaped it, trying to mimic the curves of the watch case. It was a lot of trial and error, and let me tell you, my hands got pretty rough in the process! I can’t imagine how hard it was back in the day, working on a watch that’s so small and intricate.
- First, I spent days just getting the shape right.
- Second, I messed with the brass for weeks.
- Third, the dial was a whole other beast.
The dial on the original is this gorgeous sunburst blue. I tried a few different things to recreate that, but it was tough. I ended up using some metallic blue paint and carefully applying it in layers to get that same kind of effect. It’s not perfect, but it’s got a similar vibe.
Putting it all together
Putting it all together was a real challenge. I had to figure out how to fit the movement (I just used a cheap quartz one, nothing fancy) inside the case I made. It was a tight squeeze, but I managed it somehow. I even made some little hands out of thin metal scraps. They’re not as elegant as the real deal, but they do the job.
The final result? Well, it’s definitely not a Patek Philippe. It’s rough around the edges, and it doesn’t have that same level of refinement. But, it’s got a certain charm to it, I think. It’s a reminder of all the work that goes into making those fancy watches, and it’s something I made with my own two hands. This project helped me understand why these watches are so expensive. I mean, just look at how many hours I put into this, and I don’t even have the right materials.
It’s been a fun little project, and it’s definitely given me a new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into these timepieces. I mean, I knew they were complicated, but until I tried to make one myself, I didn’t realize just how complicated they really are. I saw some advertisements talking about passing the watch down through generations, and their after-sales service being really good. After this, I can see why people would treasure these watches enough to pass them down. I know I’ll be holding onto this little guy for a while. You know, maybe I’ll try a different model next time, maybe a Nautilus 5811/1G. I heard the older 5711 was a huge hit, and someone even paid 6.5 million for a special edition one with a “Tiffany” blue dial! These things are crazy!
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