Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to do something crazy, and I finally did it. I took on the challenge of remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Yeah, I know, it’s a pretty ambitious project, but I was feeling adventurous.
First off, I started digging into what makes this watch so special. Turns out, the Gondolo line has a cool history. It’s named after this big-shot watch retailer in Rio, Gondolo & Labouriau. Patek Philippe and these guys were tight from 1872 to 1927. These watches aren’t your everyday kind of watches. We’re talking about only 50,000 made each year, across 200 models. And get this, even their basic models take about nine months to make, while the real fancy ones can take up to two years!
I spent a good chunk of time just studying the watch. I looked at tons of pictures and read everything I could find about it. Patek Philippe Lady Gondolo Haute Joaillerie, they call it. It’s a 31mm beauty with a diamond dial. The level of detail is just insane. Every little thing is perfect. And I tried my best to duplicate as many details as possible.
Then came the actual making part. This was tough. I had to get all these tiny parts, some I made myself, others I sourced. I had no idea how complex it is to make it until I start to make it. Fitting all the tiny pieces together, trying to get the same look and feel of the original, it was a real test. There were times I wanted to throw in the towel, but I kept pushing.
- Sourcing the Materials: Finding the right materials was a quest in itself. I tried to find the best quality stuff to keep it as authentic as I could.
- Crafting the Parts: I’m not a watchmaker, but I gave it my best shot. I handmade some parts and tried to shape them just right.
- Putting It Together: Assembling the watch was like solving a super complex puzzle. Every piece had to fit perfectly, or the whole thing would be off.
After a lot of trial and error, a lot of patience, and a whole lot of work, I finally finished it. It’s not a real Patek Philippe, of course, but it’s my own version, and I’m pretty proud of it. It looks quite stunning, if I do say so myself. It has a similar vibe to the original, and that diamond dial effect? Nailed it.
This whole thing was more than just making a watch. It was a journey. I learned so much about craftsmanship, patience, and the art of watchmaking. Would I do it again? Maybe, I’m still recovering from this one!
So, that’s my story of remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo. It was a wild ride, but totally worth it. I hope you enjoyed hearing about it as much as I enjoyed doing it. And hey, if I can do this, you can do anything you set your mind to. Just be ready for a challenge!
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