Alright, folks, gather ’round, gather ’round! Today, I’m gonna share my little adventure of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. Now, I ain’t no expert watchmaker, just a regular guy with a love for classic watches and a bit of free time on my hands.
It all started when I got it in my head that I wanted a fancy watch, you know, the kind that makes you feel like a million bucks. But let’s be real, my bank account ain’t exactly overflowing with riches. So, I thought, why not try making my own? A little ambitious, maybe, but hey, a man’s gotta dream, right?
First thing I did was to find a good base watch. I browsed a bunch of online stores, read some reviews, and finally settled on one that looked pretty decent. It wasn’t a Patek Philippe, of course, but it had a similar shape and a nice, classic feel to it. It has that fancy name “Gondolo”, because of some shop in Rio de Janeiro, Gondolo & Labouriau, where they used to sell these watches back in the day. They were big business partners.
Then came the fun part – taking it apart! I got myself a set of those tiny screwdrivers, the kind you use for fixing eyeglasses, and carefully opened up the back of the watch. Man, it was like looking inside a tiny, intricate world. Gears, springs, all sorts of little parts working together. It had a thickness of 8.8mm and 44.2mm from lug-to-lug.
Next, I needed to find the right parts to make it look more like the Gondolo 7041R-001. I spent hours online, comparing pictures, reading descriptions, and trying to figure out what would fit. I ordered a new dial, some hands, and a few other bits and pieces that I thought would do the trick.
- The Dial: Finding the right dial was a real pain. I wanted that classic look, but it had to be the right size and fit the movement.
- The Hands: The original Gondolo has these beautiful, elegant hands. I found some that were close enough, but not quite perfect.
- Other Bits: I also got a new crown and some other small parts to complete the look.
Once everything arrived, it was time to put it all together. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. Those tiny screws are a real pain to work with, and I dropped them more times than I can count. But I kept at it, taking my time and making sure everything was lined up just right.
Finally, after what felt like forever, it was done. My very own, handmade, kinda-sorta Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. It wasn’t perfect, mind you. The dial was a little off-center, and the hands weren’t quite as fancy as the original. But you know what? I was proud of it. I’d made something with my own two hands, something that looked pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
Now, I wear it all the time. And every time I look at it, I remember the time and effort I put into making it. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a ton of money to have something special. Just a little bit of passion, some basic tools, and a whole lot of patience.
So, that’s my story, folks. Hope you enjoyed it. And who knows, maybe it’ll inspire you to try making something yourself. Just remember, if a regular guy like me can do it, so can you!
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