Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project. This time, I decided to try and remake the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, that super fancy, super expensive watch you see in those high-end jewelry stores. I figured, why not give it a shot? It sounded like a fun challenge, and I was itching to get my hands dirty.
So, first things first, I needed to find a decent base watch to work with. I spent days, maybe even weeks, scouring the internet, looking at online marketplaces and forums. I finally found one that looked pretty good, and it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. It wasn’t a Patek, of course, but it had the right kind of vibe – you know, that classic, elegant look.
Once the watch arrived, I took a deep breath and started taking it apart. Man, those things are complicated! There were so many tiny screws and gears, it was like a puzzle inside a puzzle. I made sure to keep everything organized, using little containers for each part. I even took photos along the way so I wouldn’t forget how to put it back together.
- First, the strap had to go. I wanted something that looked more like the original Gondolo’s strap, so I ordered a new one online. It was a bit of a gamble, but it ended up looking pretty good.
- Next, I tackled the dial. This was the trickiest part. I had to carefully remove the original hands and markers without damaging anything. Then, I had to print out a new dial design that I had made on my computer. It took a few tries to get the size and colors just right.
- Putting the new dial on was nerve-wracking. I used a tiny bit of glue to hold it in place, and I had to be super careful not to smudge it. Then came the hands. I managed to find some online that looked pretty close to the Gondolo’s. Getting them back on was a real test of patience, let me tell you.
After that, it was just a matter of putting everything back together. Easier said than done, my friends. I spent hours hunched over my workbench, squinting at those tiny parts. But slowly but surely, the watch started to take shape. I replaced a few other parts, like the crown and the buckle, just to get it as close as possible to the original.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I had a finished product. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. There were definitely some imperfections, and it certainly wasn’t going to fool any watch experts. But you know what? I was proud of it. I had taken a regular old watch and turned it into something that, at least to me, felt special.
This whole project was a real learning experience. I learned a ton about watchmaking, and I definitely gained a new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into those high-end pieces. Plus, it was just plain fun to tinker around and see what I could create. If you are interested, you can try it.
So, there you have it, folks. My attempt at remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. It was a wild ride, but I’m glad I did it. Maybe I’ll try another one someday. Who knows?
What I’ve learned
I learned to be patient, be precise, and to double-check everything before I made a move. I messed up a few times, sure, but I learned from my mistakes. And in the end, it was all worth it.
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