Okay, so I’ve always been a huge fan of watches, especially the fancy ones. I’ve been eyeing the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001 for a while now. It’s a real beauty, but way out of my price range. So, I thought, “Why not try to remake it myself?” Sounds crazy, right? But I was determined to give it a shot.
Getting Started
First, I spent hours, days even, just looking at pictures of the Gondolo online. I studied every curve, every detail, trying to get a feel for its design. Then I started sketching, trying to recreate the basic shape and layout. Let me tell you, my first few attempts looked more like a child’s drawing than a luxury watch, but I kept at it.
I realized pretty quickly that I needed some materials. I couldn’t afford real rose gold, obviously, so I opted for some brass sheets that I could shape and polish to get a similar look. I also needed a watch movement, which is basically the engine of the watch. I found a cheap one online that was the right size and had the basic functions I needed. There were better ones but I wanted to keep the cost to a minimum.
- Gathered pictures and sketches of the Gondolo
- Bought brass sheets for the case
- Ordered a basic watch movement online
- Collected some tools: small files, pliers, a tiny hammer, etc.
The Hard Part
Shaping the case was a nightmare. I tried using a small hammer and some makeshift tools to bend the brass, but it was tough. I messed up so many times. I bent the metal too much, or not enough, and it kept cracking. I almost gave up more times than I can count. I was losing my mind, seriously.
But, after what felt like a million tries, I finally managed to get the basic shape right. It wasn’t perfect, nowhere near as refined as the real Gondolo, but it was starting to resemble a watch case. Then came the polishing, which was another huge pain. I spent days just rubbing that brass with different cloths and polishing compounds, trying to get it to shine. My fingers were raw, but I was determined.
Putting It Together
Once the case was somewhat decent, I carefully fitted the movement inside. This was super delicate work. One wrong move and I could damage the tiny gears and springs. I had to make some tiny adjustments to the case so the movement would fit snugly. Then I worked on the dial. I printed out a design I made based on the Gondolo’s dial, glued it to a thin piece of metal, and cut it out carefully. I even managed to add some fake “jewels” using tiny beads. They looked similar enough.
The hands were another challenge. I ended up using some very thin wire that I shaped and painted. They weren’t perfect, but they did the job. Finally, I attached a leather strap I bought online. It wasn’t the alligator leather that the real Gondolo has, but it was close enough.
The Result
So, after weeks of work, sweat, and a lot of frustration, I finally finished my homemade Gondolo. It’s rough around the edges, for sure. The finishing isn’t great, the hands are a bit wonky, and it definitely doesn’t have the same weight or feel as the real thing. But, you know what? I made it. I took a picture I liked and a basic idea and turned it into a physical object. It’s my own little, imperfect version of a beautiful watch, and I’m actually pretty proud of it. It actually keeps time pretty well, too!
Would I wear it out? Probably not. It’s more of a personal project, a testament to what you can do with a bit of determination and a lot of patience. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real Patek Philippe Gondolo, but until then, this little guy will have a special place in my collection.
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