Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to remake a Patek Philippe watch for a while now, and I finally decided to go for it. I picked the Gondolo 7042/100R-010 model ’cause it’s just so darn pretty with all those diamonds, you know? And it’s a classic design from the early 90s, which really is my style. It’s not just any watch; it’s one of those special ones made for specialty stores. I got all the papers and the original box too, since I wanted to make it as real as possible. And yes, it’s from 2024, so I am working with the most up-to-date references.
First off, I started gathering all the materials. The original has an 18k white gold case, about 31 by 34.8 mm, which is not too big, not too small. They apparently got their inspiration from a model back in 1923, the ref 176 209, so I did some digging to see pictures of that one, just to get a feel for the vibe they were going for. I got myself some nice white gold, ’cause, why not? Then, the diamonds. Oh boy, the diamonds. The bezel and lugs on this thing are covered in baguette diamonds. I made sure to get good-quality ones ’cause they’re super noticeable.
- Sourced the 18k white gold for the case
- Procured baguette diamonds for the bezel and lugs
Next up was the movement. This watch has a Calibre 215 hand-wind movement. I did my best to get something similar, with 18 jewels and 130 parts. It’s supposed to beat at 28,800 vibrations per hour and have a power reserve of about 44 hours. Sounds complicated, but I managed. Also, I made sure to get a sapphire crystal case back to make it water-resistant to 30 meters. I mean, who doesn’t want their fancy watch to handle a bit of water?
- Assembled a movement similar to Calibre 215
- Added a sapphire-crystal case back
The crown on the original is set with an Akoya pearl cabochon, which is a nice touch. I managed to find a similar pearl and set it just right. It’s the little details that really make a difference. Oh, and the case is about 7.95 mm thick, so I kept mine around that too. Gotta stay true to the original, right?
- Set an Akoya pearl cabochon on the crown
- Ensured the case thickness was around 7.95 mm
Working on this watch was a real labor of love. It took a lot of time, effort, and patience, but seeing the finished product made it all worth it. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty darn close to the real Gondolo 7042/100R-010. I even got a nice rose gold version done, just for kicks.
So, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Hope you guys enjoyed hearing about it. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out.
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