So, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Gondolo, specifically the 7042/100R-010 model. You know, the one you might see on the official flagship store. It’s a real beauty, but the price tag? Ouch! So, I started thinking, why not try to remake one myself? I mean, how hard could it be, right? It’s a challenge I was willing to take, so I thought to share my attempt with you guys.
First, I did some digging online. I checked out some websites, looked at a bunch of pictures, and tried to find as much info as I could about this particular model. I found out it’s a 2024 model, made of 18K rose gold, and has a diamond-paved dial. The size is around 31 x 34.8 mm. It’s a manual winding watch, which is pretty cool. I also noticed it comes in a white gold version, the 7042/100G. It’s usually priced somewhere between 178,324 and 251,392, which is way out of my budget.
Next, I started thinking about the materials. I definitely couldn’t afford real gold or diamonds. I went with 316 stainless steel for the case and bracelet. I found some cubic zirconia to use instead of diamonds, which are shiny and pretty. The movement was the tricky part. I managed to find a used manual winding movement online that was in decent shape. It wasn’t a Patek Philippe movement, but it did the job.
Then came the real work. I carefully took the watch apart and started to put together my own version. It was a slow and delicate process. I had to be really careful not to damage any of the parts. I used some special tools to set the cubic zirconia onto the dial. It took me a few tries, but I finally got it to look decent. Next, I shaped the stainless steel case. I used a small hammer and some other tools to get it close to the original Gondolo shape. It was not easy, but I was patient. I polished the case and bracelet until they were shiny. After that, I assembled everything. I carefully placed the movement into the case, attached the dial, and secured the hands. Then, I attached the bracelet to the case, and finally, I closed up the back of the watch.
It took me several days of hard work, but finally, I had my own “Patek Philippe Gondolo.” No, it’s not a real one, and it definitely doesn’t look exactly like the original, but I’m pretty proud of it. It tells time, it’s shiny, and it’s something I made with my own hands.
Here’s what I learned from this project:
- Making a watch, even a simple one, is really hard.
- You need a lot of patience and a steady hand.
- It’s important to do your research and know what you’re getting into.
- It’s okay to use cheaper materials if you’re on a budget.
- Even if it’s not perfect, it’s still satisfying to create something yourself.
Would I do it again?
Probably not. It was a fun experiment, but it was also a lot of work. If I really wanted a Patek Philippe Gondolo, I think I’d just save up for a used one or maybe try to find a really good replica from a reputable seller. But hey, at least I can say I tried, right? And I have a unique watch to show for it!
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