So, the other day, I decided to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010, the classic style. I’ve always loved the look of this watch, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So I got to work.
First, I started researching. I looked up everything I could find about the Gondolo 7042/100G-010, especially the year of production, 2024 as I remember. The case and bracelet material, both are white gold. And it’s a manual winding, not one of those automatic things. After making sure I had the basics down, I knew that the original has an art deco vibe, all geometric and timeless, which is right up my alley.
Then, I started gathering my materials. The body of the watch? It had to be white gold, no compromises there. I got my hands on some 316 stainless steel for the other parts, ’cause that’s some tough stuff. The bezel, I made sure it was fluted and could rotate both ways, just like the real deal.
Next up was actually making the watch. I carefully shaped the white gold, trying to get that perfect Gondolo look. It was tough, I won’t lie. The stainless steel parts, I crafted them with precision, making sure they were the right shape and size. And let me tell you, getting that bezel to rotate just right was a real pain, but I managed it.
- Crafting the Case: I spent hours shaping the white gold, trying to capture that classic Gondolo shape. It was tricky, but I think I nailed it.
- Working on the Bezel: Making sure the bezel was fluted and could rotate both ways was a challenge, but I got it done.
- Putting it Together: This was the most nerve-wracking part. I assembled all the pieces, double-checking every step.
I spent hours, maybe even days, getting everything just right. I put everything together, piece by piece, making sure it all fit perfectly. I was sweating bullets, I’ll be honest, but it was worth it. In the end, it looked really good. I was pretty proud of myself. It was a lot of work, but I learned a ton, and it was a really fun project.
The Final Look
When I finally finished, I took a step back to admire my work. It looked amazing, if I do say so myself. The white gold shimmered, and the watch had that classic, timeless feel. It was a good feeling, knowing I had made something like this with my own two hands. It wasn’t just a watch, it was a piece of art.
This whole experience taught me a lot about watchmaking. It’s not just about putting pieces together; it’s about precision, patience, and a whole lot of passion. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely a challenge, but a rewarding one. And now, I have a beautiful watch to show for it.
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