Okay, so, I’ve been itching to share this with you guys for a while now. I recently took on this pretty ambitious project, remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Yeah, the one, a real classic piece.
First off, I spent a good chunk of time just staring at pictures of this beauty. I mean, I really got into the details, you know? The curves, the jewels, that art deco vibe – I was soaking it all in. Then, I started sketching. Tons of sketches, trying to get the proportions just right. It felt like going back to art school, but hey, it was fun.
Next up, I had to figure out the materials. Getting my hands on the exact same stuff Patek uses? Not gonna happen. So, I went on a hunt, trying to find materials that looked the part but wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg. I ended up finding some decent substitutes after, like, weeks of searching. This part was a real test of patience, let me tell you.
- Sourcing Components: Man, this was a journey. I was scouring the internet, hitting up forums, even checking out some local stores.
- The Movement: I wasn’t about to craft a movement from scratch. No way. I found a suitable replacement that fit the case and had a similar aesthetic.
- The Case: I opted for a rose gold-plated case. Getting the shape right was crucial. I used a combination of 3D modeling and good old-fashioned hand-shaping to get it as close to the original as possible.
- The Dial and Hands: This is where things got intricate. I wanted that guilloché pattern on the dial, so I experimented with different techniques until I found one that worked. The hands were sourced from a donor watch and modified to fit the Gondolo’s style.
- The Jewels: Let’s be honest, I wasn’t using real diamonds. But I found some pretty convincing cubic zirconia that added the right amount of bling.
After collecting all the parts, I started assembling. It was slow going, piecing everything together, making sure it all fit just right. There were definitely a few hiccups along the way – some parts didn’t quite align, and I had to redo a couple of things. But, I kept at it, fueled by coffee and sheer determination.
Putting It All Together
Assembly was like solving a complex puzzle. Every piece had to fit perfectly. I started with the movement, securing it within the case. Then came the dial, followed by the hands. Placing the faux jewels was the final touch, and man, did it make the watch pop.
Finally, after what felt like forever, it was done. Holding the finished watch in my hands was such a satisfying moment. It wasn’t a perfect replica, of course, but it captured the essence of the Gondolo 7042/100R-010. It was my own little tribute to this iconic timepiece.
So, yeah, that’s the story of my little watchmaking adventure. It was a challenging but super rewarding experience. Would I do it again? Maybe. But for now, I’m just gonna enjoy wearing this unique piece and the fact that I made it with my own two hands.
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