Alright, let’s talk about my latest project, it’s a doozy. I decided to try my hand at remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, the one that’s all blinged out with diamonds. Why? ‘Cause why not? I’ve always been into watches, and this one’s a real looker.
So, first things first, I needed to get a good look at this watch. I scoured the internet, and let me tell you, there are a ton of pictures of this thing. This Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010 is one popular piece. Found some good details, like it’s made of 18k white gold, which, you know, isn’t cheap. I just found the original watch body and began to search for a suitable manufacturer to remake it. The case is set with baguette diamonds. I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle?
I started with the case, because, well, it’s the most noticeable part. This watch has a kind of rectangular shape, which Patek Philippe calls “cushion-shaped.” I found a similar-looking watch case online that was also made of white gold. I thought it would be a good starting point to get the shape right. The most difficult part was the diamonds, I mean, they were all over the place, on the bezel, on the lugs… Took a while, but I got a similar look by purchasing some similar diamond and setting them the same way as the original watch. I think I did a pretty good job. At the least, the arrangement is almost identical.
Crafting the Movement
Next up was the movement. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I know a thing or two about how these things work. This watch has a hand-wound movement, which is called the caliber 215 PS. I did some digging and found a movement that was pretty similar. It wasn’t exact, but it had the same basic functions. I carefully took it apart and put it back together, just to make sure I knew how it worked. Then I put the movement into the case. Took some time to make sure it fit right, but eventually, I got it in there.
Finally, I put on the strap. This watch has a pretty standard leather strap. I’m not sure what kind of leather, but it looks fancy. I bought a white gold clasp and made a white gold watchband similar to the original one.
The Final Product
And there you have it, my very own Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty proud of it. It took a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of patience. But in the end, I think it was worth it. It’s a beautiful watch, and it’s something that I made with my own two hands.
So, what do you think? Not bad for a first try, right? I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe I’ll try to make a tourbillon next. Or maybe something even more complicated. Who knows? The sky’s the limit!
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