Okay, here is my sharing of the whole process of remaking the Patek Philippe PP Gondolo 7041R-001, based on the example you gave, hope you like it:
Alright, so I’ve been eyeing this Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001 for a while now. It’s a real beauty, but man, that price tag! We’re talking almost $30,000. Yeah, you heard that right. So, what’s a guy to do? I decided to get my hands dirty and try to remake one myself.
First things first, I needed to really study this watch. I found some listings online, saying things like “Patek Philippe Gondolo 2024 New 7041R – Gondolo Silver Dial 18K Rose Gold 30 x 33.8 mm.” Okay, good to know. It’s a new model, silver dial, 18k rose gold, and the case is 30 by 33.8 mm. Got it. Oh, and these listings also mentioned “original box” and “original papers,” which, of course, I wouldn’t have, but it’s all good.
Then I found another website that sells authentic ones at “discounted prices.” They also “take in trades, sell new AND used.” Nice, but still way out of my budget. I just need the specs and details for my little project.
Another page I stumbled upon mentioned “Patek Philippe Gondolo in 18k rose gold with original cream diamond set dial. 30 mm case size.” Cream diamond set dial, huh? Fancy. Also in stock, apparently. But again, I’m not buying, just gathering intel.
Getting Started
So, with all this info in my head, I started sketching. I’m no artist, but I tried my best to draw out the watch face, the case, the hands, everything. It looked like a mess, but it was a start. Then, I started looking for materials. 18k rose gold was definitely out of the question. I found some cheaper alternatives that could look similar. For the dial, I experimented with different materials until I found something that looked like the “cream diamond set” from the original.
Building the Watch
This was the hardest part. I had to shape the case, which was a nightmare. I used some tools I had lying around, but it was tough to get that 30 by 33.8 mm size just right. After a lot of trial and error, and a few failed attempts, I finally got something that resembled the Gondolo’s case. The dial was easier. I managed to set some fake diamonds into my cream-colored material, and it actually looked pretty good. Putting the pieces together was a real pain. I watched some videos online, but it’s not the same when you’re doing it yourself.
The Final Result
After weeks of work, I finally had something that looked like the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. It wasn’t perfect, not even close. But it was mine, and I made it myself. It felt good to wear it, even though it didn’t have the original papers or the original box. It was a reminder of what you can achieve with a bit of effort and a lot of patience.
- Materials Used:
- Cheap alternative to rose gold
- Cream-colored material for the dial
- Fake diamonds
- Basic watch movement mechanism
- Tools Used:
- Various shaping tools
- Small pliers and screwdrivers
- Glue
So, that’s my story. I took on the challenge of remaking a nearly $30,000 watch, and I did it. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn’t perfect, but it was a fun project. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll save up enough to buy the real deal. Until then, I’ll proudly wear my homemade Gondolo.
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