Alright, so I got this itch to remake the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. It’s a beautiful watch, with its white gold case and that unique rectangular shape. You know, the one with all the diamonds on the bezel and lugs. Yeah, that one. I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, here’s how I started it.
First, I needed to get my hands on some materials. I searched around and found some decent white gold. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to find enough for the case and the bracelet. The case, which is 31mm by 34.8mm, needed to be the perfect size. This watch is not just any watch, it’s a statement piece, and everything had to be just right.
Next up, the movement. This watch has a hand-wound caliber 215 PS movement, and finding something similar was a challenge. But I got lucky and snagged a movement that’s pretty close. It keeps time well and has about a 44-hour power reserve. Close enough, right?
Then came the fun part – the diamonds. The original has diamonds all over the bezel and lugs. I found some baguette-cut diamonds, that weren’t cheap, but they had the right sparkle. Setting them was a pain, I won’t lie. Each one had to be placed just right to mimic the original design. My hands were shaking, but I got it done.
- Getting the White Gold: This was the first big hurdle. Finding the right quality and quantity took some time, but I eventually sourced enough for the case and bracelet.
- Finding a Similar Movement: The original uses a hand-wound caliber 215 PS movement. I managed to find a close match that works just as well.
- Setting the Diamonds: This was the most challenging part. I used baguette-cut diamonds and meticulously set them on the bezel and lugs to match the original.
The dial was another adventure. It’s a silvered dial with gold applied hour markers. I tried my best to recreate it, using a silver-toned base and carefully applying gold markers. It doesn’t look exactly the same, but it has that luxurious feel.
After weeks of work, I finally put it all together. The case, the movement, the dial, the diamonds – everything. The moment I finished assembling it, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t perfect, but it was my version of the Gondolo 7042/100G-010.
Wearing it for the first time, I felt like a million bucks. Sure, it’s not the real deal, but it’s my own creation, and that’s something special. Plus, it turns heads, and people always ask about it. It’s a great conversation starter, to say the least.
So, yeah, that’s the story of how I remade the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. It was a wild ride, full of challenges and triumphs. Would I do it again? Probably not. But I’m glad I did it once. It taught me a lot about watchmaking and even more about patience.
The Final Look
When I looked at the finished watch, I was pretty happy with it. The white gold case gleamed under the light, and the diamonds sparkled just right. The hand-wound movement ticked away inside, keeping time like a champ. It’s not a perfect replica, but it’s got its own charm. And honestly, I think I did a pretty good job for a first-timer.
If you ever think about doing something like this, just know it’s a lot of work. But if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, the result can be really rewarding. And who knows, you might even surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
Click to consult