So, I got this wild idea to remake a Patek Philippe watch, specifically the Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, it’s a fancy name, I know. I’ve always been a fan of Patek Philippe, and this Gondolo model, it just looks so classy and elegant with all those diamonds and the white gold.
First, I started looking for info on this watch. Turns out, it’s a pretty big deal. This Gondolo 7042/100G-010, it’s named after some famous retailer in Rio de Janeiro called Gondolo & Labouriau. Fancy, right? I dug up pictures, specs, anything I could find. This watch has a 31mm by 34.8mm 18k white gold case, and it’s covered in baguette diamonds on the bezel and lugs. It’s a manually-winding mechanical watch. Man, it’s a beauty.
Getting Down to Business
I knew this wasn’t gonna be easy. I started gathering materials. I got some white gold, though not 18k, couldn’t afford that, haha. Then, the diamonds. I obviously couldn’t get real ones, so I settled for some high-quality cubic zirconia that looked pretty darn close to the real deal. I even found some online that were cut in a baguette shape, just like the original.
- Sourcing Materials:
- Got some white gold for the case.
- Found some good quality cubic zirconia as a stand-in for diamonds.
- Ordered baguette-cut ones to match the original.
Crafting the Case
Next up, making the case. I sketched out the design, trying to get it as close to the original as possible. I used the white gold I got and started shaping it. This was tough. I had to melt, mold, and shape the metal, making sure the dimensions were just right – 31mm by 34.8mm. It took a few tries, but I finally got a case that looked similar to the Gondolo.
- Creating the Case:
- Sketched out the design based on the original Gondolo.
- Melted, molded, and shaped the white gold.
- Got the dimensions right after a few attempts.
Setting the Stones
Now for the bling. I took those cubic zirconia and started setting them on the bezel and lugs. This was painstaking work. Each stone had to be carefully placed and secured. I tried to mimic the pattern on the original watch, placing the baguette-cut stones along the edges. It was like putting together a tiny, sparkly puzzle.
- Adding the Bling:
- Carefully set the cubic zirconia on the bezel and lugs.
- Mimicked the pattern of the original watch.
- Used the baguette-cut stones along the edges.
The Movement
The movement was the hardest part. I tried to find a similar manually-winding mechanical movement, but those things are expensive and hard to come by. So, I opted for a simpler, more affordable movement. It wasn’t the same, but it worked. I fitted it inside the case, and it was a perfect fit. I’m not gonna lie, there were moments when I thought about throwing in the towel. But I didn’t. I kept pushing. I spent days, weeks, working on it.
- Movement Work:
- Used a simpler, more affordable manually-winding movement.
- Fitted it inside the case perfectly.
The Final Touches
Finally, I added a simple white dial and some elegant hands. I attached a nice leather strap, and there it was. My homemade Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. It wasn’t perfect, and it certainly wasn’t the real deal, but I was proud of it. I actually did it, it was a great moment.
- Final Assembly:
- Added a simple white dial and elegant hands.
- Attached a leather strap.
I put the watch on my wrist, and you know what? It felt amazing. It looked pretty good, if I do say so myself. Sure, it’s not a real Patek Philippe, but it’s something I made with my own hands. And that’s pretty cool, right? This whole project taught me a lot. It was tough, frustrating, but also super rewarding. It is a test of endurance, patience, and resourcefulness. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a fun ride, and I learned a ton about watches and crafting. Plus, I got a pretty neat timepiece out of it. I hope this post can help you. Thanks for reading my little adventure!
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