Okay, so, I got this idea to try and remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Yeah, I know, it’s one of those super expensive watches, but I thought, “Why not give it a shot?”
First off, I started by looking at a bunch of pictures of the watch online. I mean, I couldn’t afford the real deal, so I had to make do with what I could find on the internet. I studied those pictures like crazy, trying to get every little detail in my head.
Then, I got to work gathering materials. I found some decent watch parts online – nothing fancy, just regular stuff that wouldn’t break the bank. I also picked up some tools from a local hobby store. I’m talking about tiny screwdrivers, tweezers, and a magnifying glass – the whole nine yards.
- Tiny screwdrivers
- Tweezers
- Magnifying glass
Next, I started taking apart an old watch I had lying around. I figured it would be good practice before I started messing with the new parts. Let me tell you, taking apart a watch is way harder than it looks! Those things have so many tiny screws and gears, it’s insane.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally managed to put together a watch that kinda resembled the Gondolo. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but it was something. I even tried to mimic the rose gold color with some paint I found. It didn’t turn out great, but hey, at least I tried, right?
A Long Journey
The whole process took me weeks, maybe even a couple of months. There were times when I wanted to give up, especially when I couldn’t get a tiny screw to go in or when I messed up the paint job. But I kept at it, and eventually, I ended up with a watch that I was pretty proud of.
It’s not a real Patek Philippe, obviously, but it’s my little version of it. And you know what? I learned a lot from this whole experience. It was tough, frustrating at times, but also really rewarding. Plus, now I have a unique watch that no one else has. Not bad for a DIY project, if I do say so myself.
Click to consult