Alright, so, today I’m gonna talk about my little project: remaking a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, specifically the 5738R model. You know, the one that’s a bit of a modern take on the classic design. It was a tough one, I gotta say. I think this design comes from the “golden section,” which is a number like 1 to 1.6181. Old Greek mathematicians came up with it.
I started out by getting a good look at the real deal. I spent hours looking at pictures online, especially on those watch-selling websites – you know the ones. I noticed this 5738R model is a tribute to the original Golden Ellipse but with some new stuff. It has this rose gold case which is pretty cool. Also, I found that the Golden Ellipse had some super-accurate quartz movements before, like the 3770. It’s like a mix between the Nautilus and the Golden Ellipse with those “ears” on the side, similar to the Nautilus.
Then came the tricky part: trying to replicate that unique elliptical shape. I messed around with some design software, trying to get the proportions just right. It was a lot of trial and error, a lot of tweaking this and that. It’s not just an oval, you see, it’s got this specific ratio that makes it look so elegant. They say it’s inspired by some “golden ratio” from ancient times, which I thought was pretty neat. This watch is like a piece of history – from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even now in 2024, it’s still trendy.
Next, I had to pick the materials. I wanted to get as close as possible to that rose gold look without, you know, spending a fortune. So, I went with a decent rose gold-colored alloy. It wasn’t easy finding one that had the right shine and feel, but I think I got pretty close. I tried to find a used one from 2022 that’s in good condition, with the original box and papers, because why not?
The dial was another challenge. The original has this beautiful, minimalist design, and I wanted to capture that simplicity. I ended up using a simple, dark-colored face and some basic gold-tone markers. It’s not exactly the same, but it gives off a similar vibe, I think.
- First, I started messing with the shape.
- Second, I looked for materials that looked like rose gold.
- Third, I made a simple dial that looks like the original.
- Fourth, I put it all together.
Putting it all together was the most satisfying part. Seeing all the pieces come together and actually look like a watch was a great feeling. I even managed to get a decent automatic movement for it, which was a nice touch. It’s not a Patek Philippe movement, obviously, but it does the job.
The Result
In the end, I think I managed to create a pretty decent homage to the Golden Ellipse 5738R. It’s not perfect, of course, but it’s got the spirit of the original, and it was a lot of fun to make. I learned a ton about watch design and a bit about ancient math, too, which was a bonus. Plus, I’ve got a unique watch that I can wear and say I made myself. Not bad for a little side project, huh?
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