Alright, let’s talk about how I got into this whole mess of remaking a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R. I’ve always been a watch guy, you know? But the real deal, those luxury watches, they’re way out of my league, like I will need to save money for years. Then I stumbled upon this idea of, well, making my own. Not a fake, mind you, but a remake, an homage, or tribute, whatever you want to call it.
The Beginning
It all started with the Golden Ellipse. Man, that watch is a classic, 70’s time, right? I was digging around, trying to find something similar but, like, a tenth of the price. I even considered getting an original one, but $8k to $9k? Maybe I can make one myself!
The Deep Dive
So I started researching. Looked at pictures, read about the movement, the materials, everything. I wanted to get as close as possible without, you know, actually making a counterfeit. The 5738R, that’s the one with the rose gold and the black dial.
Finding the Parts
This was the tricky part. I needed a case that looked like the Ellipse, but wasn’t a direct copy. And the movement, well, that had to be automatic, reliable, and not cost me an arm and a leg. I spent weeks looking for suppliers, comparing parts, making sure everything was just right. I ordered a bunch of stuff, some of it was a complete waste of money, but hey, you live and learn, and I will say it cost me a lot.
Putting It Together
When all the parts finally arrived, it was like Christmas morning. I cleared my workbench, got my tools ready, and started assembling. I was nervous, not gonna lie. This was my first big project, and I didn’t want to mess it up.
- First, I worked on the case. I had to polish it to get that nice, shiny finish. It took forever, and my arms were sore, but it was worth it.
- Then came the dial. I found a black one that was pretty close to the original, but I had to modify it a bit to fit the case.
- The hands were easier. I found some that were almost identical to the Patek ones, so I just had to attach them to the movement.
- Finally, the movement. This was the most delicate part. I had to be super careful not to damage anything. I took my time, followed the instructions, and eventually, it was all in place.
The Final Touches
With the watch assembled, I added a nice leather strap, and there it was. My very own Golden Ellipse remake. It wasn’t perfect, of course. There were a few minor flaws, but overall, I was really happy with how it turned out.
The Result
I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks now, and I gotta say, it feels great. It’s not a Patek, but it’s mine, and I made it with my own two hands. Plus, I saved a ton of money, and for sure, I will make my own watch again. That’s the story of my 5738R remake. It was a challenge, but a fun one. And who knows, maybe it’s just the beginning of a whole new hobby.
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