Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001 for a while now. It’s a beautiful watch, but the price tag is, well, let’s just say it’s a bit out of my league. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try to remake one myself. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but I was determined to make it happen.
First things first, I needed to gather as much information as possible about the original watch. I spent hours online, staring at pictures, reading articles, and even watching videos of the Gondolo 4962/200R-001. I tried to memorize every little detail, from the shape of the case to the font used on the dial. You could say I got a little obsessed, but hey, that’s what passion is all about, right?
Next, I started looking for the parts. This was probably the most challenging part of the whole process. Finding parts that looked like the real deal was tough. I had to make sure the case was the right shape and size. I checked the Patek Philippe hallmarks, especially the “750” mark for 18k gold. Luckily, I found a case that was pretty close to the original. It was made of stainless steel, but I figured I could always plate it with gold later.
- Case: It is crucial. It has to be perfect. I found a stainless steel case. It’s not gold, but it has the right shape and size. I’m thinking of gold-plating it later.
- Dial: I need a dial that looks just like the original. Finding one with the same font and markers is going to be tricky. I’m browsing online shops and forums for a match.
- Hands: The hands have to be the right style. I saw some online that might work, but I need to make sure they fit the movement I choose.
- Movement: This is the heart of the watch. It has to work, of course. I have seen several options.
The dial was another story. I searched high and low for a dial that matched the original, but no luck. So, I decided to make my own. I found a blank dial online and carefully painted it to look like the Gondolo’s dial. It wasn’t easy, and I messed up a few times, but eventually, I got it right. I even managed to replicate the Patek Philippe logo, which was a huge win.
The hands were a bit easier to find. I found a set of hands online that looked very similar to the original ones. They weren’t an exact match, but they were close enough. I figured most people wouldn’t even notice the difference.
Now, for the movement. I knew I couldn’t get a real Patek Philippe movement, so I opted for a decent automatic movement I found online. It wasn’t as fancy as the original, but it did the job. And, it was way cheaper.
Once I had all the parts, it was time to put everything together. I carefully assembled the watch, making sure each part was in its right place. It was like putting together a very complicated puzzle, but I enjoyed every minute of it. The trickiest part was setting the hands, but after a few tries, I finally got it.
The Result
After weeks of hard work, my homemade Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001 was finally finished. And you know what? It looked pretty damn good! Sure, it wasn’t perfect, and it definitely wasn’t the real deal, but I was proud of what I had accomplished. I even wore it out a few times, and no one suspected a thing. They all thought it was a genuine Patek Philippe.
So, that’s my story of how I remade a Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. It was a challenging but rewarding experience. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real thing. But until then, I’ll be happy with my homemade version. Also, I learned that the serial number is usually on the case back. In my case, I might need a pro to open it up. And the movement number? Inside the case back, engraved on the movement. I’ll have to take it apart to see them.
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