Alright, folks, gather ’round, because today I’m gonna spill the beans on my latest project. I’ve been itching to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010, but let’s be real, that price tag is just insane. So, what’s a guy to do? Well, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try to make my own version.
First things first, I started by scouring the internet for any info I could find on this beauty. I mean, we’re talking about a rose gold case, a diamond-paved dial, the whole nine yards. It’s a stunner, no doubt about it. I checked out a bunch of online stores, like, you know, the usual suspects that sell luxury watches.
I found that the real deal is going for over 250,000 euros in some places! Seriously, who has that kind of cash just lying around? Not me, that’s for sure. But seeing those pictures and reading about the rectangular Art Deco style, I was hooked. I knew I had to have something like it.
So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’m pretty handy. I started looking into similar-looking watches that wouldn’t break the bank. My goal was to find something with a rectangular case, preferably in a gold-ish tone.
- Searched for affordable rectangular watches.
- Compared prices and styles.
- Looked for something with a similar vibe to the Gondolo.
After a lot of searching, I finally found a decent base watch. It wasn’t rose gold, but it had the right shape and a nice, clean dial. Then came the fun part – the diamonds. Obviously, I wasn’t about to use real diamonds. I went to a local craft store and found some pretty convincing fake gemstones.
Let me tell you, sticking those tiny things onto the dial was a real pain. My fingers felt like sausages, and my eyes were definitely strained. But I kept at it, carefully placing each “diamond” until the dial had that sparkly look I was going for. I didn’t follow the same pattern as in the original, but, I have to say, that dial looks amazing. I found a matching brown leather strap online, and it looked great with the case.
The Final Result
After a few days of tinkering, I finally finished my “Patek Philippe Gondolo.” Does it look exactly like the 7042/100R-010? Of course not. But does it capture the essence of that watch? I think it does. It’s got that classy, rectangular look, the sparkly dial, and it feels pretty darn good on my wrist. Plus, I made it myself, which makes it even more special.
It’s not a perfect replica, but it’s my little homage to a watch I truly admire. And hey, it didn’t cost me a quarter of a million euros, so I’d say it’s a win in my book.
So, if you’re ever dreaming of a luxury watch but your wallet is saying “no way,” don’t be afraid to get creative. You might just surprise yourself with what you can come up with. And let’s be honest, the story behind your DIY watch is way more interesting than just buying one off the shelf. Anyway, I’m pretty proud of this little project. What do you guys think?
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