Hey everyone, today I’m going to share my experience of remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. This all started when I saw this beautiful watch online, and I just had to have it. I mean, who wouldn’t want a Patek Philippe, right? But the price tag, around $29,802, was way out of my league. So, I thought, why not try to remake it myself?
First thing I did was gather all the information I could find about this watch. The Gondolo 7041R-001, produced in 2020, comes with its original box and papers. It’s a ladies’ watch, and the design is just timeless. It runs on a Patek Philippe Caliber 215 PS, which beats at 28,800 vph, has 18 jewels, and a power reserve of about 44 hours. Plus, it’s water-resistant up to 30 meters. But again all of this is just from my research, and I needed to find something similar for my remake.
Finding the Right Parts
The next step was finding parts that could match the originals. This was tough. I spent hours online looking for movements that could come close to the Caliber 215 PS. I also needed to find a case, dial, and hands that looked similar to the Gondolo. I found a few promising movements, but getting them to work together was another challenge. I had to use some other parts that were not from the original watch, but they were close enough.
Putting It Together
Then came the assembly. I’m not a professional watchmaker, so this was a real test of my patience and skills. There were moments when I thought I’d mess it up completely. I started by placing the movement into the case, which was nerve-wracking. Then, I attached the dial and hands, making sure everything aligned perfectly. I even tried to replicate the water resistance, but I’m not sure I got it to 30 meters.
The Finishing Touches
After putting it all together, I had to make sure it actually worked. It took some adjustments, but finally, the watch started ticking. It wasn’t as smooth as the original Patek Philippe, but it was working. I added a strap that looked similar to the one on the Gondolo, and there it was, my very own remade Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001.
The Result
In the end, my version of the Gondolo wasn’t perfect. It didn’t have the same prestige or the exact same quality, but it looked pretty close. And the best part? It didn’t cost me nearly $30,000. It was a fun and challenging project, and I learned a lot about watches along the way. It’s not a real Patek Philippe, but it’s my Patek Philippe, and that’s good enough for me.
- Total time spent: A few weeks, on and off.
- Cost: Much less than the original, but still a bit of an investment.
- Satisfaction: Priceless!
So, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. It was a wild ride, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. If you’re thinking of doing something similar, just be prepared for a challenge and have a lot of patience. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely rewarding!
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