Okay, folks, let me tell you about this little project I got myself into. I decided to try my hand at remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo, specifically the 7042/100G-010 model. Yeah, that fancy, diamond-studded beauty. I know, I know, it’s a pretty ambitious project, but hey, why not? Let me walk you through how I went about it.
First off, I started by gathering as much info as I could. I’m talking about pictures, specs, anything I could find online about this watch. You know, just getting a feel for what I was up against. This watch is 18K white gold, with a case size of 31mm 34.8mm, and it’s covered in diamonds. It’s a real looker.
Then, I had to think about the materials. Now, I’m not using real gold or diamonds, obviously. I went for some more budget-friendly options, but that still looked the part. I found some nice white gold alternatives and some sparkly stones that could pass for the real deal. I made the case first and ensure the size is appropriate, about 31mm 34.8mm.
Next up was the movement. This watch uses a manually-winding mechanical movement. I did some digging and found a movement that would fit the bill. It wasn’t the exact one Patek Philippe uses, but it was close enough for my purposes. I put the movement inside the case made in the previous step.
After that, it was time to tackle the dial. The original has this beautiful diamond-paved dial, so I wanted to recreate that look. I took my time setting each stone carefully, trying to mimic the pattern of the real thing. It was tedious work, but seeing it come together was pretty rewarding. The dial looked shining and I’m quite satisfied with it.
Then came the strap. I found a nice leather strap that matched the style of the original. I chose black leather and it looked really good. Attaching it to the case was a bit fiddly, but I got there in the end. I assembled the strap, case and dial together to form a basic shape.
Finally, I did some finishing touches. Polishing the case, making sure everything was aligned properly, you know, the details. And there you have it, my very own Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010 remake.
It’s not perfect, of course, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It was a fun challenge, and I learned a lot along the way. I tried my best to make it look like the real deal, at least from a distance. I mean, up close, you can tell it’s not a real Patek Philippe, but it still looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. It’s definitely a conversation starter, and I’ve had a few people ask me where I got it, which is always a good sign.
So, that’s the story of my Gondolo remake. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed the process. And who knows, maybe I’ll try my hand at another watch in the future. What do you guys think? Any suggestions for my next project? Let me know in the comments!
- 18K White Gold Case: The case is made of 18K white gold, which is a precious metal that is known for its durability and luster.
- Diamond-Paved Dial: The dial is paved with diamonds, which add a touch of luxury and elegance to the watch.
- Baguette Diamonds: The bezel and lugs are set with baguette diamonds, which are rectangular-shaped diamonds that are known for their brilliance.
- Manually-Winding Mechanical Movement: The watch is powered by a manually-winding mechanical movement, which means that it needs to be wound by hand every day.
- 31mm 34.8mm Case Size: The case has a diameter of 31mm and a height of 34.8mm, which is a relatively small size for a men’s watch.
I gotta say, for a homemade project, it turned out pretty slick. It’s not an exact replica, but it captures the vibe of the original pretty well. And hey, it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg, which is always a plus.
So there you have it – my adventure in remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo. It was a blast, and I hope you enjoyed hearing about it. Maybe it’ll inspire some of you to try your own hand at something like this. Until next time, stay curious and keep making!
And, of course, no project is without its lessons. This one taught me a lot about patience, attention to detail, and the satisfaction of bringing a vision to life. Sure, it’s not the same as owning a real Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010, but it’s a pretty cool feeling to know I made something that resembles one with my own two hands.
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