Okay, so, let me tell you about this little project I got myself into. I decided to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001, you know, the one they only sell at specialty stores. That watch is a real looker, but the price? Forget about it. So, I thought, why not try to make one myself?
First off, I gathered all the info I could find on this watch. I looked up pictures, specs, anything I could get my hands on. It’s got this rose gold case, manual wind, the whole nine yards. The reference number is 7041R-001, and it’s named after some fancy retailer in Rio, Gondolo & Labouriau. I even found out it uses a Caliber 215 PS movement with 18 jewels and has a small seconds dial. Fancy stuff.
Next, I started looking into where to get parts. This was a real headache. I scoured the internet for anything that looked like it would fit the bill. I needed a rose gold case that was about 30 x 33.8 mm, a silver dial, and all the little bits and pieces that make up a watch. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. I spent hours, days even, just trying to find the right parts.
- Sourcing the Case: I searched high and low for a rose gold case that matched the dimensions. I finally found one that was close enough.
- Finding the Dial: The silver dial was another challenge. I ended up getting one that was similar, but not exactly the same.
- Movement Parts: This was the hardest part. I managed to piece together something that resembled the Caliber 215 PS, but it took forever.
Once I had all the parts, I started putting it all together. Now, I’m no watchmaker, so this was a real learning experience. I watched a bunch of videos and read a ton of articles to figure out how to assemble a watch. I messed up a few times, but I kept at it. I had to be super careful with all those tiny parts. My hands were shaking half the time, but I managed to get it all together.
Assembly Woes
Let me tell you, assembling a watch is no joke. I struggled with the tiny screws and gears. There were moments when I thought I’d never get it right. But I persisted. I took breaks when I got frustrated and came back to it later. Slowly but surely, it started to look like a watch.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I had a finished product. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but it was my version of the Gondolo 7041R-001. It looked pretty good, if I do say so myself. I wore it around for a bit, and it kept time okay. Not perfect, but hey, I made it myself.
In the end, it was a fun project. I learned a lot about watches and how they’re made. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but it was also pretty rewarding. Plus, now I have a unique watch that no one else has. It’s not a real Patek Philippe, but it’s mine, and that’s what counts.
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