Alright, so, I decided to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. I started thinking, “Why not give it a shot?” I mean, getting my hands on a real one seemed like a mission impossible with those crazy waiting lists and the whole exclusivity thing. So, I thought, let’s go for a remake. First off, I began digging around. I did some serious research, looking up everything I could about this watch.
I found out this Gondolo 7042, it’s not just a watch. It’s like a piece of jewelry. It’s made of 18K red gold, with a gold bracelet and all that jazz. And the dial? Covered in diamonds. I knew then that this was going to be quite the project.
I started hunting for the right materials. I mean, where do you even find 18K red gold and a bunch of tiny diamonds? It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. I visited so many jewelers, looked at countless materials, and even considered different types of gold and stones. It was a whole process.
- I compared prices. A lot.
- I checked out different suppliers.
- I learned about the quality of the materials.
Then came the crafting part. I had to get the tools, and not just any tools, but the right ones for working with such fine materials. I watched so many videos, read so many articles, just to get a sense of how to even begin. I practiced on some cheaper materials first, just to get the hang of it. Lots of trial and error, believe me. I messed up a few times, but hey, that’s how you learn, right?
The Dial and Diamonds
The dial was a whole other challenge. Setting those tiny diamonds, making sure they were all lined up perfectly, it took forever. I had to be super patient and precise. I even got a magnifying glass to help me see what I was doing. It was like, the tiniest puzzle ever. One wrong move and you’ve got to start over.
Putting it all together was nerve-wracking. I was so scared of messing something up after all that work. I took it really slow, double-checking every step. Finally, after what felt like ages, it was done. And let me tell you, seeing the finished product, it was all worth it. It looked amazing, if I do say so myself. Not exactly like the original, of course, but pretty darn close. It was a proud moment, seeing my own handmade Patek Philippe remake shining on my wrist.
If you’re thinking about doing something like this, just be ready for a lot of work and research. It’s not a walk in the park, but it’s definitely a rewarding experience. You learn a lot, and you end up with something unique that you made with your own hands. Pretty cool, huh?
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