Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another crazy project. This time, I decided to try and remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, the one you see in those fancy jewelry stores. I know, I know, it sounds nuts, but I was itching for a challenge, and boy, did I get one!
First off, I started digging around for info on this watch. I mean, this thing is not your average timepiece. It’s got a white gold case, a bunch of diamonds, and that classic Patek Philippe look that just screams luxury. I found out that they only make about 50,000 of these watches a year, spread across like 200 different models. Each one takes forever to make – we’re talking nine months for the basic ones and up to two years for the really complex ones. So, yeah, not exactly a walk in the park.
I got my hands on some 316 stainless steel for the case. That’s the stuff they make this watch with, I got the 904L as well, but after several times of polishing, I feel like 316 is the right one. It was a real pain to shape it into that cushion form, I tell you. The Gondolo 7042/100G-010’s got this distinctive shape, and getting that right was crucial. I spent days just filing and sanding, trying to get the curves and edges perfect.
Next up, the bezel. This watch has a fluted, bidirectional rotatable ring command bezel. I tried to mimic that as best as I could. It was tough, a lot of careful work with the tools, making sure each little groove was just right. And the diamonds, oh man, the diamonds. Getting those tiny stones set into the bezel and the lugs was a nightmare. I used some high-quality cubic zirconia because, let’s be real, I’m not made of money. But they sparkle just like the real deal, which is pretty cool.
- Sourcing the Materials:
- Got the 316 stainless steel for the case.
- Found some cubic zirconia for the diamonds.
- Ordered a mother-of-pearl sheet for the dial.
- Shaping the Case:
- Spent days filing and sanding the stainless steel.
- Worked on getting the cushion shape just right.
- Creating the Bezel:
- Mimicked the fluted design of the original.
- Set the cubic zirconia into the bezel and lugs.
The Dial and Movement
The dial was another beast. This watch has a mother-of-pearl dial, and it’s gorgeous. I managed to find a sheet of mother-of-pearl and cut it to fit the case. I think I did it a little bit bigger, it’s hard to use the tool to cut it into the case perfectly. It was delicate work, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. As for the movement, I used a hand-wound mechanical movement I had lying around. It’s not a Patek Philippe caliber 215 PS, but it gets the job done. I had to modify it a bit to fit the case, but it was worth it to see those hands moving.
Putting it all together was the most satisfying part. Seeing all the pieces I’d worked on separately come together to form a watch was amazing. It’s not perfect, of course. There are some imperfections, some rough edges, but it’s my own handmade version of a Patek Philippe Gondolo. And you know what? I’m damn proud of it.
This project was a wild ride. It took a lot of time, a lot of patience, and a lot of learning. But it was worth every second. I might not be a Patek Philippe master watchmaker, but I created something I’m proud of. And hey, it’s a pretty cool conversation starter, right? Until next time, stay curious and keep making things!
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