Let me tell you about my latest project, it’s a real doozy. I decided to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo, specifically the 7042/100R-010 model. Yeah, the fancy one with all the diamonds. You know, the original order, so I wanted to make it as close to the real deal as possible.
First off, I started by gathering all the information I could find. I scoured the internet, looked at every picture, and read every description of the original watch. It’s a 31mm by 34.8mm rose gold case, with a dial that’s just covered in diamonds – 251 of them, to be exact, making up about 0.73 carats. The original has a caliber 215 manually wound movement, which is a whole other beast. I knew this was going to be tough, but I was up for the challenge.
Next, I had to get the materials. Now, I’m not made of money, so I opted for some alternatives. I found a pretty decent rose gold-plated case that was the right size and shape. For the diamonds, let’s just say I went with some high-quality cubic zirconia. They sparkle just as nice, and my wallet thanked me for it. I also managed to find a similar-looking movement. It’s not a Patek Philippe movement, but it gets the job done, and it looks the part.
The real fun began when I started putting it all together. I carefully set each “diamond” into the dial, mimicking the circular pattern of the original. It was tedious work, let me tell you. Each stone had to be placed just right. Then there was the bezel. I got a plain bezel and painstakingly added the stones along it and the lugs. The hands were another challenge. I found some similar-looking hands, but they needed to be modified to fit the movement and the overall aesthetic. I spent hours filing and shaping them until they were just right.
After assembling the dial, hands, and movement, I carefully placed them into the case. Then came the moment of truth: fitting the case back. I held my breath as I pressed it on, hoping everything would fit perfectly. And it did! I stepped back to admire my work. It wasn’t a perfect replica, but it was pretty darn close. The rose gold color, the sparkly “diamonds”, the rectangular shape – it all came together beautifully.
Now, I know it’s not the real thing. It doesn’t have the same prestige or the hefty price tag of a genuine Patek Philippe, which, by the way, can go for over $270,000. But for me, it’s a symbol of what you can achieve with a bit of determination, some creativity, and a whole lot of patience. Plus, it looks amazing on my wrist!
- Started with research
- Gathered materials
- Assembled the dial and bezel
- Modified the hands
- Put it all together
- Admired the finished product
It’s not just about having a fancy watch, it’s about the process and the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands. And who knows, maybe this will inspire someone else to take on a challenging project of their own. If I can do it, anyone can!
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