Alright, folks, gather ’round! Today, I’m gonna walk you through my little adventure of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Yeah, that super classy, elegant watch I’ve been drooling over for ages.
So, first things first, I did some digging. The name “Gondolo” actually comes from this Brazilian watch dealer that Patek Philippe was tight with back in the day. Cool little history tidbit, right? And guess what? Patek Philippe’s been owned by the Stern family since 1932! It’s currently managed by Thierry Stern, with Philippe Stern as the Honorary President. Family business going strong!
Getting Started
I started by hunting down all the info I could find on the Gondolo 7042/100R-010. I mean, pictures, specs, anything I could get my hands on. I spent hours online, just browsing through forums and old articles. It was like a treasure hunt, but for watch nerds.
Finding the Parts
Next up, I needed to find the parts. This was the tricky part, let me tell you. I scoured the internet for similar-looking parts, trying to match the vibe of the original. I found some decent hands, a nice case that was pretty close, and a dial that wasn’t perfect but had the right feel. Also, I try to find the best price in different channels. It’s not easy to find the best price, so I try to get a quote from different online stores. Also, I try to find the best quality as well.
Putting It Together
With all the pieces in hand, it was time to assemble this bad boy. I carefully took apart the donor watch I was using and started swapping in the new parts. It was delicate work, and I had a few close calls where I thought I’d messed up, but I kept at it. Slowly but surely, the watch started to take shape. I can also feel how difficult the watch masters work.
The Final Touches
After a lot of tinkering, the watch was finally assembled. It wasn’t a perfect replica, but it had that Gondolo charm. I polished up the case, cleaned the dial, and made sure everything was running smoothly. It was keeping time pretty well, which was a relief!
The Result
In the end, my remake of the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010 wasn’t an exact copy, but it was something I was proud of. It looked pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. And the best part? It was mine, something I had built with my own two hands.
It was a fun little project, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into these luxury watches. Plus, now I have a unique timepiece that’s kind of like the real deal, but with a personal touch. Hope you guys enjoyed this little story of mine! Catch you on the next one!
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