Today, I tried something new – I tried to remake the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, the one you see in those fancy stores. I saw it online and thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
First off, I needed the materials. I went for 316L stainless steel ’cause it’s tough. And for the bezel, I wanted that “fluted” look, you know? Like the original. I found this bidirectional rotatable ring that looked just right, so I grabbed that. The dial, I wanted it to be bright black, but also a little white, like those intense white dials. Found one that fit the bill perfectly.
Then came the fun part – putting it all together. I started with the case. Measured it out to be 31 by 34.8 mm, just like the real deal. Shaped it, polished it, made it all shiny and smooth. It felt good in my hands, weighty and solid.
- Case: 31 x 34.8 mm, stainless steel, check.
- Bezel: Fluted, check.
- Dial: Bright black and intense white, check.
The bezel was a bit tricky. I had to make sure it rotated just right, not too loose, not too tight. Took a few tries, but I got there. It felt satisfying to turn it and feel that click.
Putting in the dial was delicate work. I had to be careful not to scratch it. I used these tiny tweezers and a magnifying glass. Slowly, I placed it in, making sure it was perfectly centered. Phew, that was a close one.
Next, the movement. I wanted it to be manual winding, just like the original Gondolo. I found a movement that fit the size and style. Installing it was like performing surgery. One wrong move, and it could all go wrong. But, I took my time, followed the steps, and finally, it was in. I wound it up, and it started ticking. Music to my ears.
The Final Touches
Now, for the strap. I wanted that pearl and white gold look. I found some materials that looked similar and got to work. Weaving them together, making sure they were secure and looked good. It was tedious, but the end result was worth it.
Finally, I put it all together. The case, the bezel, the dial, the movement, and the strap. It looked… amazing. I compared it to the pictures online, and it was pretty darn close. I mean, it’s not the real thing, but for a homemade version, I was proud.
It wasn’t easy. There were moments when I wanted to give up. But I kept at it, and now, I have this beautiful watch that I made myself. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And that’s what matters.
So, that’s my little project. It was a challenge, but I learned a lot. And who knows, maybe I’ll try another model next time. But for now, I’m going to enjoy wearing this one. It’s a reminder that with a little patience and a lot of effort, you can create something truly special.
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