Okay, so I’ve been wanting to try something new for a while now, and I finally took the plunge. I decided to remake the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. Yeah, that fancy watch from their store. It’s a real looker, you know? I was browsing online, checking out some watch deals, and this beauty kept popping up.
First, I searched online, got a rough idea of the design and started planning. I saw people talking about the Gondolo Serata, saying it’s got this unique style and timeless elegance, so I was hyped to get started.
I looked up the specs and found out it’s got a 28mm rose gold case and a brown leather strap. The dial is brown with these Arabic numeral hour markers, and it’s all floral and fancy. I’m not gonna lie, it looked pretty intimidating at first.
Then, I began sketching. I drew the watch from different angles, making sure I got all the details right. The case, the strap, the dial – everything. I even tried to replicate that floral pattern on the dial, which was a real pain, let me tell you.
- Case: 28mm, Rose Gold
- Strap: Brown Leather
- Dial: Brown Floral with Arabic Numerals
- Bezel: Fixed, Rose Gold with Spessartites
Key Features:
I started gathering materials, but honestly, I had no clue where to find 18k rose gold or spessartites. So, I improvised. I used some copper wire for the case, shaped it, and polished it until it kinda looked like rose gold. For the strap, I found an old leather belt and cut it to size. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.
The dial was the trickiest part. I tried painting the floral pattern, but it looked like a kid’s drawing. I even tried using some flower petals, but that didn’t work out either. In the end, I found some floral-patterned paper and glued it onto the dial. It wasn’t exactly high-end, but it did the job.
Putting it all together was a whole other story. I used some super glue and a lot of patience. It took me a few tries to get the case right, and the strap kept falling off. But eventually, I managed to assemble something that resembled the original watch.
I know it’s not a perfect replica. It doesn’t have the real materials, and it definitely doesn’t have the Patek Philippe craftsmanship. I found out that the real deal costs over $50,000, and they are super limited. People online were saying the real ones have these hallmarks, like “750” for 18k gold and “950” for platinum. Mine has none of that, obviously. It was more about the process and the challenge. I learned a lot about watch design and, honestly, gained a new appreciation for the real thing. Plus, it was a fun project, and it kept me busy. Maybe I’ll try another one someday, who knows?
Click to consult