Okay, folks, gather ’round. I’ve got a story for ya. This time, I dove headfirst into something a bit wild – I decided to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but stick with me here.
First off, I gotta say, those original Gondolos? They’re like pieces of art, seriously. We’re talking 18K red gold, gold bracelet, and a dial that’s just dripping in diamonds. It’s insane. But here’s the kicker – they’re crazy expensive. I’m talking, like, 26 grand, even 37 grand. Who has that kind of money to throw around?
So, I got this wild idea. Why not try to make my own? I mean, I’ve dabbled in some DIY stuff before, but this was a whole new level. I started by gathering materials. Now, I couldn’t afford real 18K red gold, so I went with a decent alternative that still gave me that classy look.
- The case: I found a rose gold-plated case that was pretty close to the original. It wasn’t the real deal, but it did the trick.
- The bracelet: This was tough. I ended up crafting my own bracelet using a similar plating technique. It took forever, but I think I nailed it.
- The dial: Oh boy, the dial. I decided I am not using real diamonds for obvious reasons. Instead, I used these tiny, sparkly crystals. They’re not diamonds, but they shine nice and bright.
- Movement: This was the heart of the watch. I got my hands on a reliable automatic movement. It’s not Patek Philippe level, but it gets the job done.
Putting it all together was a real test of patience. I had to be super careful, especially with those tiny crystals on the dial. It took me weeks, working on it bit by bit, but finally, I had something that looked kinda like a Gondolo 7042/100R-010.
Now, let me tell you, it’s not perfect. If you put it next to a real one, you’d see the differences for sure. But, for something I made in my little workshop? I’m pretty darn proud of it.
I’ve been wearing it around, and people are always asking me about it. They can’t believe I made it myself. It’s a great conversation starter, that’s for sure.
So, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. It was a challenge, a learning experience, and a whole lot of fun. I hope you guys enjoyed hearing about it. It’s been a wild ride, and who knows what I’ll try to make next!
Stay tuned for more of my crazy projects. You won’t want to miss what I get up to next. Catch ya later!
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