Alright, folks, gather ’round, because today I’m diving into something that’s been on my to-do list for a while: remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Yeah, you heard that right. It’s a mouthful, I know, but trust me, it’s a beauty.
So, first things first, I started by doing a deep dive online, just to get a feel for what’s out there. Scrolled through pages, looked at what different sellers were offering, and compared prices. There’s a lot of variation, let me tell you. I saw listings on some luxury watch sites, dealer pages, and even the usual online marketplaces.
Next, I focused on the details. This watch, it’s not just any watch. It’s the Gondolo 7042/100R-010, rose gold, with a dial that’s just dripping in diamonds. I’m talking 251 diamonds, about 0.73 carats, all set in this circular pattern that’s just mesmerizing. Plus, the case is 31 x 34.8 mm – a decent size, not too flashy, but it definitely makes a statement.
After that, I started sketching. Got my pencils out, and started drawing the case, the dial, the whole shebang. It took a few tries, but I wanted to get it just right. Needed those proportions to be spot on, you know?
Then came the fun part – sourcing the materials. I needed to find rose gold, and not just any rose gold. It had to be the right shade, the right quality. And the diamonds, oh boy, the diamonds. Finding 251 tiny diamonds, making sure they’re all the right size and quality, that’s a task in itself. I spent days, maybe weeks, just looking for the right stones.
Once I had all the materials, I got to work. Started by crafting the case, shaping the rose gold, polishing it until it shined just right. Then came the dial. Carefully set each of those 251 diamonds into the dial, one by one. It was tedious, I won’t lie, but seeing it come together, it was worth it.
The movement, that’s a whole other story. It’s a manual winding movement, caliber 215. I decided to go with a similar movement, something that would capture the essence of the original. Assembled it piece by piece, making sure everything was in perfect working order.
Putting it All Together
- Assembled the watch, fitting the movement into the case, attaching the dial.
- Added the strap, a nice leather one that complements the rose gold.
- Gave it a final polish, a final check, and there it was.
A remake of the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. It’s not the original, sure, but it’s got the look, the feel, the spirit. And the best part? I made it with my own two hands. It’s a great feeling, let me tell you.
So, there you have it. My journey to remaking a classic. It was a challenge, no doubt, but a fun one. And hey, if I can do it, maybe you can too. Just takes a bit of patience, a lot of research, and a whole lot of passion.
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