Today, I want to share a little project I’ve been working on: remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001, that classic style. I’ve always been a fan of this watch, and decided, hey, why not try to recreate it myself?
First off, I started by gathering as much info as I could about the watch. Scoured the internet, looked at a ton of pictures, and read a bunch of descriptions. I mean, this watch has a cushion-shaped case made of 18k rose gold and is set with 108 diamonds, 0.31 carat, around the dial. And the price, phew, found a listing for around $29,774. Just wild. After really understanding what I was getting into, I started sketching out the design.
Next, I began choosing materials. Now, I’m not using real rose gold, obviously, or real diamonds, haha. I opted for a more budget-friendly approach. I found some rose gold-colored alloy for the case and some shiny little crystals that look pretty convincing as diamonds. I managed to buy these materials from a local store.
- Case Material: Started with shaping the cushion-shaped case. This was tough! I used some basic metalworking tools to mold the alloy into the right shape. It wasn’t perfect, but it started to look like the Gondolo’s case.
- Diamond Setting: Gluing those tiny crystals around the dial was a test of patience. I used a fine-tipped glue applicator and a pair of tweezers. I placed each “diamond” carefully, trying to mimic the original layout. Some got messed up, but I just kept at it.
- Movement: I didn’t make a mechanical movement, of course. Instead, I got a simple quartz movement to keep it ticking. It’s not the same as the original’s Caliber 215 PS, but it does the job.
After getting the materials sorted, I moved on to the assembly phase. This part was super tricky, I’m not gonna lie. It was like doing surgery but on a watch. I spent hours making sure everything was aligned and secured. It took a lot of careful work with some small tools.
Painting the dial was another challenge. I wanted that classic look, so I went with a simple, elegant design, similar to the original. Used some fine brushes and a steady hand, and it turned out okay.
Finally, I put it all together. The feeling when I saw the finished watch was incredible. It’s not a perfect replica, not by a long shot, but it’s my take on the Gondolo 7041R-001. It keeps time, it looks pretty, and it reminds me of that beautiful Patek Philippe piece.
The End Result
So, there you have it. My journey of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. It’s not about making an exact copy, but more about the process and enjoying the craft. Hope you enjoyed this little story!
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