Today, I want to share my recent adventure of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. This watch, it’s a real beauty, but getting my hands on the original? Forget about it! So, I took matters into my own hands.
First off, I spent days just staring at pictures of this watch. I mean, this Gondolo 7042/100G-010, it’s not just a watch; it’s a piece of art. The original has this 18k white gold case, about 31mm by 34.8mm, which is pretty unique. And the diamonds? 251 of them, all over the bezel and lugs, weighing around 0.73 carats. It’s like wearing a tiny galaxy on your wrist.
I started by sourcing the materials. Now, I couldn’t get 18k white gold, so I settled for 316 stainless steel, the best one I could get my hands on. I figured, it’s sturdy, and with the right polishing, it can look pretty darn close to the real deal.
- Sourcing the Steel: I called up a few suppliers, found one who could get me decent quality 316 stainless steel.
- Shaping the Case: This was tricky. The Gondolo has a cushion-shaped case, which is not something you see every day. I had to use some pictures and even some drawings of other “form” watches from Patek Philippe. I did a lot of grinding and shaping to get that perfect cushion shape.
- The Dial: The dial on the original is a stunner, paved with diamonds. For my version, I decided to go with a bright black dial. I mean, diamonds are a bit out of my league, and the black dial really makes the watch pop.
The hands were another challenge. I wanted them to be as close to the original as possible. After a lot of trial and error, I managed to craft some hands that looked pretty decent. They weren’t perfect, but they had that same elegant vibe.
Now, for the movement. The original Gondolo 7042/100G-010 has a hand-wound mechanical movement. I obviously couldn’t replicate that, so I went with a reliable quartz movement. It’s not the same, but it keeps time well, and that’s what matters, right?
Putting it all together was like assembling a complex puzzle. I had to be super careful, especially when setting the dial and the hands. One wrong move, and it could all go south.
The Final Touches
After assembling everything, I spent hours polishing the case. I wanted that stainless steel to shine, to mimic the luster of white gold as much as possible. Then, I added a simple, black leather strap. It complemented the watch perfectly.
In the end, did I create a perfect replica of the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010? Nope. But, did I make a watch that I’m proud of? Absolutely! It’s a tribute to the original, a piece that captures its essence, at least in my eyes. And honestly, wearing it gives me a little thrill. It’s a reminder that sometimes, you can create something special, even if it’s not the real thing.
This whole project, it wasn’t just about making a watch. It was about the process, the learning, and the satisfaction of creating something with my own two hands. And that, my friends, is priceless.
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