Today, I wanna talk about how I remade the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. It’s a classic style, and I’ve always been a fan. So, I thought, why not try to recreate it myself?
First off, I gathered all the materials I needed. I mean, I dug around for some good quality stuff that wouldn’t break the bank. You know, trying to get that luxury feel without actually spending a fortune. I found some decent stainless steel for the case and a nice piece of leather for the strap. The movement, though, that was tricky. I ended up using a reliable, but not too fancy, automatic movement. It’s not a Patek movement, obviously, but it gets the job done.
Then, I started working on the case. This was probably the most challenging part. I wanted to get that Gondolo shape just right. It’s not your typical round watch, you see. It’s got this unique, kind of rectangular, curved design. I spent hours shaping and polishing the steel, trying to mimic the original. I even sketched a few drafts before, it took me many attempts but finally I was able to get satisfied results.
- Drawing the design blueprint
- Selecting materials
- Cutting and shaping the case
- Assembling the movement
- Polishing and refining
The Dial and the Hands
Next up was the dial. I opted for a clean, white dial to match the classic look of the 4962/200R-001. I managed to find a pretty close match, but I had to do some work to get the indices and the Patek Philippe logo just right. That took a steady hand and a lot of patience, let me tell you.
The hands were another story. I wanted those elegant, leaf-shaped hands that Patek uses. I searched everywhere for something similar, but no luck. So, I decided to make my own. I took some thin pieces of metal and carefully shaped them. It wasn’t easy, but I think they turned out pretty good.
Putting it all together was like a dream come true. I carefully assembled the movement, the dial, and the hands into the case. Then, I attached the leather strap, which I had also customized a bit to get that perfect fit and look. And it’s done.
After all that work, I finally had my own version of the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. It’s not the real deal, of course, but it’s something I’m really proud of. I wear it all the time, and it always gets compliments. People can’t believe I made it myself!
So, that’s my story of remaking a classic timepiece. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. If you’re passionate about watches and have some time on your hands, I say go for it! It’s a rewarding experience, and you end up with a unique piece that you can truly call your own.
Click to consult