Alright, so I saw this Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R, and I thought, “Man, I gotta have that.” But let’s be real, it’s way out of my budget. So, I decided to try and make my own version of it. I’m no watchmaker, but how hard could it be, right?
First, I needed to get an idea of what I was dealing with. I spent hours looking at pictures of the watch online. I zoomed in on every detail, trying to figure out the dimensions and how everything fit together. I even watched some videos of people taking apart similar watches, just to get a feel for the insides.
Next, I started gathering materials. I found an old, cheap watch at a thrift store that I could use for parts. I figured I could use the movement and maybe some other bits and pieces. Then, I went to a craft store and bought some thin sheets of metal, some paint, and some tiny little tools that looked like they were made for a dollhouse.
I started by taking apart the old watch. I carefully removed the movement, the hands, and anything else I thought I could reuse. It was a bit nerve-wracking, I was afraid I might break something important, but I took it slow and managed to get everything out in one piece.
Then came the hard part – making the case. I tried to copy the shape of the Golden Ellipse as best as I could. I cut the metal sheets into the right shape and started bending and shaping them. It took a lot of trial and error, and let me tell you, my fingers were sore after a while. I used some tiny pliers and a small hammer to get the shape just right. It wasn’t perfect, but it started to resemble the watch I was aiming for.
After that, I had to make the dial. This was a real challenge. I used a thin piece of metal and painted it to look like the original. I even tried to add the little hour markers, but they ended up looking a bit wonky. It wasn’t easy, and I had to redo it a couple of times before I was somewhat happy with it.
Once the dial was done, I started putting everything together. I placed the movement into the case, added the dial, and attached the hands. This was the most exciting part – seeing my creation come to life. It wasn’t exactly like the original Patek Philippe, but it was my own version, and I was pretty proud of it.
Finally, I added a strap. I used some leftover leather I had from another project, and it actually looked pretty good. It wasn’t the fancy alligator leather strap that comes with the real watch, but it did the job.
Here are some of the steps I did, in a more organized way:
- Study the original: I spent a ton of time looking at pictures and videos of the real watch.
- Gather materials: I got an old watch for parts, metal sheets, paint, and tiny tools.
- Disassemble the old watch: I carefully took apart the old watch to salvage parts.
- Make the case: I shaped the metal sheets into the Golden Ellipse shape.
- Create the dial: I painted a piece of metal to look like the original dial.
- Assemble the watch: I put the movement, dial, and hands together.
- Add a strap: I used some leftover leather to make a strap.
So, there you have it. My attempt at remaking the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738R. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely doesn’t look as good as the real thing, but it was a fun project. And hey, now I have a unique watch that no one else has!
A Recap of My Little Project
It was a journey, full of ups and downs, but in the end, I managed to create something that somewhat resembled the watch I admired. It’s not perfect, it’s a bit rough around the edges, but it’s mine. And that’s what matters.
Click to consult