Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe for a while now. I mean, who wouldn’t? They’re like the holy grail of watches. But man, those prices! Anyway, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try to remake a specific model – the PP Gondolo 7042/100R-010, the one you see in specialty stores. It’s a beauty, with all those diamonds and that rose gold case.
First, I started digging around for info. I needed to know everything about this watch. I checked out some online watch forums, read articles, and even looked at listings on places like Chrono24. Learned that the real deal can cost anywhere from $230,000 to over $260,000! I also learned that the serial number is usually on the case back, and you might need a pro to open it. I found some hallmarks to look for, like “750” for 18k gold and “950” for platinum. The Gondolo 7042/100R-010 is 18k rose gold, so I knew what to keep an eye out for.
Next, I started gathering my materials. This was the tricky part. I obviously couldn’t afford real diamonds or 18k rose gold, so I had to find some decent substitutes. I went to a few jewelry supply stores and found some pretty convincing cubic zirconias. They sparkle almost like the real thing! For the case, I managed to find a rose gold-plated watch case that had a similar shape and size to the Gondolo. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough.
Then came the most difficult part: putting it all together. I’m not a watchmaker, so this was a real challenge. I started by carefully removing the movement from the donor watch. I watched a couple of online tutorials to make sure I didn’t mess anything up. Next, I started setting the cubic zirconias into the case. This was super fiddly work. I used a tiny bit of jewelry glue and a pair of tweezers. It took forever, but I finally managed to get all the stones in place. They looked pretty good, if I do say so myself!
- Finding the dial: The dial was another challenge. I couldn’t find an exact replica, so I had to settle for something similar. I found a plain white dial that was the right size and shape. I added some simple hour markers to it. Again it is not exactly the same but the feeling is there.
- Assembling the watch: Once I had all the parts, I carefully reassembled the watch. I put the movement back into the new case, attached the dial, and added the hands. Then, I put the case back on and admired my work.
It wasn’t easy, and it took a lot of time and patience, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s not a real Patek Philippe, but it’s a pretty good imitation, and it definitely satisfies my craving for a fancy watch. Plus, I saved a ton of money! Of course, it is not an exact replica, and an expert could easily tell the difference. But for me, it is a fun project that resulted in a nice-looking watch. Maybe one day I will get my hands on a real Gondolo, but for now, this will do just fine.
This whole process taught me a lot about watches and the craftsmanship that goes into them. It’s definitely given me a new appreciation for these intricate timepieces. I mean, those Patek Philippe folks know what they’re doing! It’s no wonder they’re so sought after.
So, yeah, that’s my story of remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo. It was a fun and challenging project, and I’m pretty proud of the result. Who knows, maybe I’ll try my hand at another watch remake in the future. But for now, I’m going to enjoy wearing my “Patek Philippe” and maybe even fool a few people along the way! Just kidding… or am I?
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