Hey everyone, it’s your old buddy back again! Today, I’m diving into something a little different – I decided to try my hand at remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, that super classy, white gold beauty. It was a wild ride, so let me tell you all about it.
First off, I started by gathering all the info I could find on this watch. I mean, I really dug deep. I needed to get a feel for its vibe, you know? The Gondolo 7042, it’s got this rectangular case, all white gold, and it just screams luxury. And it’s not just any watch; it’s a manual winding one, which adds to its charm.
So, after studying it like crazy, I started sketching. It had a 31mm by 34.8mm case, and getting those dimensions right was my first challenge. I spent hours trying to figure out a plan that would work. Once I had a decent sketch, I moved on to choosing the materials. I went with 316L stainless steel for the case because I figured it could give me that white gold look without breaking the bank. For the bracelet, I also used stainless steel.
Then came the real test – making the case. I used my tools to shape the steel, trying to get that rectangular shape just right. It took a lot of patience, I won’t lie. After shaping, I polished the case to give it that shiny, luxurious look. It wasn’t easy, and I messed up a couple of times, but hey, that’s part of the process, right?
- Choosing the Material: Went with 316L stainless steel for that white gold look.
- Sketching and Measuring: Got the dimensions down, 31mm by 34.8mm.
- Shaping the Case: Worked the steel to get that iconic rectangular shape.
- Polishing: Gave the case a good polish to make it shine.
Next up, the bezel. I wanted to copy that fluted, bidirectional rotatable style. I carefully crafted the bezel, ensuring it could rotate smoothly. The dial was another beast. I aimed for a pearl white look, but making it look just right was tough. I experimented with different materials and finally found something that worked.
Assembling the watch was like putting together a complex puzzle. I carefully placed each part, making sure everything fit perfectly. The movement was especially tricky. Since it’s a manual winding watch, I had to make sure that part was working smoothly. After many failed attempts, I had figured out how to make it work. After hours of work, I finally had something that resembled the Gondolo 7042.
The Final Touches
I added some finishing touches, like a faux diamond-set bezel. I mean, why not add a little extra bling? It wasn’t real diamonds, but it gave it that luxurious feel. I even managed to mimic that pearl white gold strap using some clever metalworking techniques. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked pretty darn good.
So, there you have it – my journey in remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042. It was a challenging but super rewarding experience. I learned so much about watchmaking and pushed my crafting skills to the limit. And while it’s not the real deal, it’s a piece I’m really proud of. Thanks for joining me on this adventure, and I’ll catch you in the next one!
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