So, I’ve been messing around with watches lately, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. Today, I wanted to share my little project of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. Yeah, that fancy one with the diamonds. I mean, who wouldn’t want that beauty on their wrist? But since I ain’t got the cash to just buy one, I thought, why not try to make something similar?
First off, I dove deep into what makes this watch tick—literally. I found out that Patek Philippe only has these super exclusive stores in Geneva, London, and Paris. Talk about feeling like a peasant. I checked the prices online, and yeah, you’re looking at over 26 grand for this baby. My wallet cried just looking at the number.
Getting Started
I started by sketching. I’m no artist, but I tried my best to get that cushion-shaped case down. This watch is all about that shape and the diamonds, man. The original has 108 diamonds around the dial. I don’t have that many, obviously, so I had to get creative.
Collecting Materials
- Case: I found some old watches at a flea market. I picked one with a somewhat similar shape. It’s not rose gold, but hey, we work with what we’ve got.
- Stones: Instead of diamonds, I went with some shiny, clear stones I found at a craft store. They sparkle, and that’s what matters, right?
- Tools: I used a basic watch repair kit, some glue, and a lot of patience.
Putting It Together
I took apart the flea market watch, which was a struggle, let me tell you. Those tiny screws are a pain. I cleaned up the case as best as I could. Then came the tricky part—setting the stones. I tried to follow the pattern of the original Gondolo, placing the stones around the dial area.
It was messy. Glue got everywhere, and I definitely messed up a few times. But after a few tries, I got something that looked kind of decent. It’s nowhere near the real deal, but it has that Gondolo vibe, you know?
The Result
It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. It’s a bit rough around the edges, and it probably won’t fool anyone who knows watches. But it’s mine. I made it, and it has that Gondolo-inspired look that I was going for. Plus, it was a fun project, and I learned a lot about watches in the process.
Would I wear it out? Maybe, maybe not. It’s more of a symbol of what you can do with a bit of creativity and a lot of time on your hands. I might not have a real Patek Philippe, but I’ve got something unique. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real thing. Until then, I’ll keep tinkering and dreaming.
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