Hey everyone, today I wanna share my journey of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Man, what a ride it’s been! Let me tell you, this wasn’t just a simple project; it was a test of patience, skill, and a whole lot of dedication.
Getting Started
So, first things first, I got my hands on a bunch of info about this beauty. The Gondolo 7042/100G-010, it’s not just any watch. We’re talking about a 31mm x 34.8mm rectangular case, made of 18k white gold, and it’s manually wound. Fancy, right? I spent days just looking at pictures, reading descriptions, basically anything I could find online about it. I even found some details about it being from 2024, with its original box and papers.
The Design Phase
Now, the fun part. I had to figure out how to recreate this masterpiece. I started sketching, and let me tell you, my notebook became a mess of lines and notes. The rectangular shape, the baguette diamonds along the bezel and lugs, the dial… everything had to be just right. I wanted it to look like the real deal, a true homage to the original Gondolo named after that famous retailer in Rio, Gondolo & Labouriau.
Crafting the Case
After what felt like a million sketches, I moved on to the actual crafting. Getting that white gold look for the case was tricky. I used some materials that, well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly white gold, but they did the job. I shaped it carefully, trying to get those dimensions as close as possible to 31mm x 34.8mm. It wasn’t easy, and there were a few mishaps, but I wasn’t giving up.
The Dial and Diamonds
The dial was another challenge. It’s supposed to be diamond-paved, which is, you know, a bit out of my budget. So, I got creative. I used some shiny stuff that kinda looked like diamonds, arranging them to mimic that luxurious look. It took hours, but seeing it come together was so satisfying.
The Movement
Now, about the movement. The original is a manually wound mechanical movement. I didn’t have anything that fancy, but I found a simple mechanism that would at least make the hands move. It’s not the same, but hey, it’s the effort that counts, right?
Putting It All Together
Finally, it was time to assemble everything. This was the moment of truth. I carefully put the dial into the case, attached the strap and secured the movement. It felt like I was holding my breath the whole time. And then, there it was. My very own remade Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010.
The Final Look
It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. But it was mine. It looked pretty darn good if I do say so myself. The way the light caught those fake diamonds, the shape of the case, the moving hands, it all came together to create something I was really proud of.
Reflections
This project taught me a lot. It wasn’t just about trying to copy a luxury watch. It was about the process, the creativity, and the satisfaction of making something with your own hands. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a ton of work, but also a ton of fun.
So, there you have it. My adventure in remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Hope you enjoyed hearing about it as much as I enjoyed doing it. Until next time, keep creating and keep those hands moving!
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