So, I’ve been wanting to remake that Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010 for a while now. You know, the one with the rectangular rose gold case? It’s a real looker, but way out of my price range. So, I figured, why not try to make one myself? Sounds crazy, I know, but hey, you only live once, right?
First things first, I needed to get a good look at the real thing. I spent hours scouring the internet, zooming in on every picture I could find. I really wanted to capture all those little details that make it special, like the baguette diamonds on the bezel and lugs, and that Akoya pearl cabochon on the crown. Man, that thing is fancy!
Next up, I had to figure out how to actually make this thing. I’m not exactly a master jeweler, but I’m pretty handy. I started by sketching out the design, trying to get the proportions just right. Then I moved on to the materials. I couldn’t afford real rose gold, obviously, so I opted for a rose gold-plated alloy instead. It’s not the same, but it gives a similar vibe, which is good enough for me.
Finding the Right Materials
- Case: This was the biggest challenge. Sourcing a rectangular case with the right dimensions took some time. I finally found one online that was close enough.
- Diamonds: Real diamonds? No way. I went with cubic zirconia. They sparkle just fine, and they’re way cheaper. I found some small baguette-shaped ones that looked pretty convincing.
- Pearl: For the crown, I actually managed to find a decent-looking faux Akoya pearl cabochon. It’s not perfect, but it adds a nice touch.
- Strap: I was going to go with a real alligator strap but they’re a little pricey. I settled on a simple brown leather one I had lying around.
- Movement: I just snagged a cheap quartz movement from an old watch I had. It’s not mechanical, but it keeps time.
Then came the hard part – actually assembling the watch. Let me tell you, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Setting those tiny fake diamonds was a real pain. I used a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass, and it still took forever. My back was killing me after a while! Gluing them in place was another challenge. I had to be super careful not to get glue all over the place. Also, I spent a whole afternoon trying to get the crown right.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally finished it! It’s not perfect, of course. There are a few imperfections here and there, and it doesn’t have that “heft” that a real Patek Philippe has. But you know what? I’m pretty darn proud of it. It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. And it’s a great conversation starter. People are always asking me about it, and they’re usually pretty surprised when I tell them I made it myself.
So, yeah, that’s the story of how I remade a Patek Philippe Gondolo. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot. Maybe someday I’ll be able to afford the real thing. But until then, I’m happy with my little homemade version. I guess.
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