Today, I took on a little project – remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010, the specialty store edition. Let me tell you, it was quite the adventure.
First, I gathered all the info I could find. Pictures, descriptions, anything that could give me a good idea of what this watch looks like. I found some stuff online about the rose gold case and the Akoya pearl cabochon on the crown. Some listings even mentioned a sapphire-crystal case back and that it’s water-resistant up to 30 meters. That’s all helpful, but seeing it in person would be even better.
- Looked closely at the shape. It’s not a regular rectangle, more like a “tonneau” or “cushion” shape, as some folks call it.
- Noticed the dial doesn’t have numerals, which is interesting. And the bezel is also rose gold.
- Realized it has a manual winding movement. Classy!
Next, I started sketching. I drew the basic shape, added the details like the crown, the hands, and the strap. I tried to get the proportions right, based on the dimensions I found: 31 x 34.8 mm, with a height of 7.95 mm. It’s a delicate balance, but I think I got it pretty close.
After sketching, I moved on to the actual crafting. Now, I don’t have the same materials as the original, but I made do with what I have. I used some copper wire to fashion the case, shaping it carefully to mimic that “tonneau” form. I even found a small, round bead to represent the Akoya pearl on the crown.
For the dial, I used a piece of polished metal. It doesn’t have the same finish as the original, but it gives a similar reflective effect. The hands were tricky. I cut them out from a thin sheet of metal, trying to match the elegant design of the Patek Philippe hands.
The strap was another challenge. I didn’t have rose gold, so I used a brown leather strap instead. It’s not the same, but it complements the copper case well.
Finally, I assembled everything. Carefully placed the dial, the hands, and the crown. Attached the strap to the case. And there it was, my own take on the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010.
The Result
It’s not perfect, of course. It doesn’t have the same level of craftsmanship or the precious materials of the original. But I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It was a fun challenge, and I learned a lot about watch design and construction in the process. It’s a reminder that you can create something beautiful even without all the fancy tools and materials. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll get my hands on the real deal!
Click to consult