Hey everyone, so, I’ve been tinkering again, and this time I set my sights on something pretty ambitious – trying to remake the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001, the one they made for specialty stores. Yeah, it’s a mouthful, and honestly, it sounded crazy even to me at first. But hey, where’s the fun in easy, right?
First off, I started digging around for info on this watch. Found a bunch of stuff on those fancy watch sites where they sell these things for, like, a gazillion dollars. The Gondolo Serata, that’s what they call it, is a real looker – all about that timeless elegance and style. This baby’s got an Art Deco vibe with its curvy case, and it’s just dripping with class.
So, I got to work. The case was the first big hurdle. It’s this rectangle shape, but not just any rectangle. It’s got curves and dimensions that are super specific – 28.6 x 40.85 mm, to be exact, and 7.36 mm thick. I spent days just trying to get the shape right, using whatever I could find around the house. Cardboard, mostly. Lots and lots of cardboard.
- Dimensions: 28.6 x 40.85 mm
- Height: 7.36 mm
- Water-resistant: up to 30 m
Next up was figuring out how to make it look like it’s water-resistant to 30 meters. Now, I’m not planning on taking a dive with my cardboard masterpiece, but it’s the principle of the thing, you know? I sealed every edge with glue, hoping that would count for something.
The dial was another beast. The real one has this fancy quartz movement, the Calibre E15, which I obviously couldn’t replicate. So, I drew the dial, hands, and all, on a piece of paper and carefully cut it out. It doesn’t tick, but it looks the part, kinda.
The crystal on this watch is sapphire, which is tough as nails. For my version, I used the clear plastic from a packaging box. It’s not scratch-resistant, but it’s clear, and it gives that shiny look you want in a watch.
Putting it all together was like assembling a puzzle where half the pieces are invisible. I glued, taped, and prayed. It was messy, it was frustrating, but slowly, it started to look like something.
And there you have it. My homemade Patek Philippe Gondolo. It doesn’t tell time, it’s probably not water-resistant past a light drizzle, and it certainly won’t fool anyone into thinking it’s the real deal. But, it was a blast to make, and I learned a ton about what goes into making these luxury watches. Plus, I’ve got a cool story to tell and a unique piece to show for it.
Would I do it again? Maybe. Would I recommend it? Definitely, if you’re up for a challenge and don’t mind a bit of glue on your fingers. It’s all about the journey, right?
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