Okay, so the other day, I got this wild idea to try and remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, the super fancy one you see in their official store. I’ve always been a huge fan of how this watch looks, with its classy and elegant vibe. It’s just so darn beautiful, you know?
First things first, I did some digging around about this Gondolo watch. Turns out, it got its name from some big-shot retailer in Rio de Janeiro, Gondolo & Labouriau. These guys were tight with Patek Philippe way back from 1872 to 1927. I mean, this watch has some serious history! The Gondolo collection officially kicked off in the early ’90s, but its roots trace back to Brazil in the 1800s.
So, I started gathering my stuff. The materials I used were pretty basic – 316 and 904L stainless steel mostly, just like you would find on some regular watches. I wanted it to at least feel somewhat authentic, even though I knew it wouldn’t be the real deal.
I spent a lot of time shaping the case. The Gondolo 7042/100G-010 has this unique cushion shape, and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy to replicate. I used some simple tools and just went at it, trying to get the curves and angles just right. I must’ve made like a dozen prototypes before I was even close to satisfied.
The bezel was another challenge. I went with a fluted, bidirectional rotatable design. This is something I saw on some other watches, and I thought it would add a nice touch. I carefully crafted each groove, trying to make it look as polished as possible. It was tedious work, but seeing it come together was pretty rewarding.
Then came the dial. I opted for a bright black and intense white dial, hoping to capture that stark contrast that the original watch has. Getting the colors to look just right took a lot of trial and error. I experimented with different paints and finishes until I found something that looked decent.
- Case: Shaped it like a cushion.
- Bezel: Made it fluted and rotatable.
- Dial: Went with bright black and intense white.
After weeks of working on this thing, tweaking and refining, I finally had something that resembled the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Of course, it’s nowhere near the quality of the real thing, but it was a fun project. I mean, who needs to spend thousands on a watch when you can make one yourself? Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but still.
It Was Really a Big Challenge
This whole project was a huge learning experience. I learned a ton about watchmaking, even though I was just messing around. It really makes you appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these luxury watches. I don’t think I’ll be quitting my day job to become a watchmaker anytime soon, but it was definitely a cool adventure.
In the end, I’m pretty happy with how my little Gondolo remake turned out. It’s not something I’d wear out to a fancy dinner, but it’s a nice little keepsake. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually get my hands on the real Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Until then, I’ll just keep dreaming and tinkering away.
Click to consult