Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001 for a while now. But, you know, those things are crazy expensive. So, I thought, “Why not try to remake one myself?” It seemed like a fun project, and I was itching to get my hands dirty.
First off, I spent hours just staring at pictures of the watch online. I mean, I really got to know this thing inside and out. I found some pictures on the web, and I analyzed them until I could practically see the watch in my sleep. It was all about understanding the design, the curves, the tiny little details that make it a Patek Philippe. The original watch is a real beauty, with its rose gold case and that Art Deco vibe. I needed to figure out how to capture that essence.
Next, I started gathering materials. Now, I’m not made of money, so I couldn’t use real rose gold like the original. I opted for a high-quality stainless steel instead. I found a nice chunk of it from a local supplier, they deal with metal scraps, so you can find all sorts of things there. I also got my hands on some basic watchmaking tools. Nothing fancy, just the essentials like screwdrivers, tweezers, and a loupe. I figured I’d start simple and see how far I could go.
The first big challenge was shaping the case. The Gondolo 7041R has this distinctive rectangular shape with soft, rounded edges. I started by cutting the stainless steel into a rough rectangular shape, I drew the outline on the metal block, and I sawed it roughly with a hand saw. Then came the long and tedious process of filing and sanding. I used different grades of files and sandpaper, starting with coarse ones to remove the larger imperfections and gradually moving to finer ones to smooth out the surface. It was a real workout, let me tell you. I spent days just filing and sanding, slowly shaping the case to match the original design as closely as possible.
While working on the case, I also started thinking about the dial. The original has a beautiful, minimalist design with simple hour markers and hands. I decided to use a plain white dial, which I found on the internet. I practiced applying the hour markers and hands on a few scrap dials before attempting it on the final one. It was tricky work, requiring a steady hand and a lot of patience.
- Cutting the Case: I began by cutting the stainless steel into a rectangular shape.
- Shaping: I used files and sandpaper to shape the case, matching the original Gondolo’s curves.
- Polishing: After shaping, I polished the case to give it a smooth, shiny finish.
- Dial Work: I applied the hour markers and hands to the plain white dial.
Once the case was shaped and polished, and the dial was ready, I focused on the movement. I didn’t even attempt to create my own movement – that’s way beyond my skill level. Instead, I bought a simple, reliable quartz movement online. It’s not a mechanical movement like the original, but it does the job. I carefully installed the movement into the case, making sure everything fit snugly. Then, I attached the dial and hands, and finally, the case back.
The Final Touches
The last step was the strap. The original Gondolo 7041R comes with a gorgeous alligator leather strap. I found a nice piece of brown leather and cut it to the right size. I then attached a simple buckle, which I also found online. Attaching the strap to the case was a bit tricky, but I managed to do it with some careful maneuvering.
And there it was – my very own remade Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. It’s not perfect, of course. There are plenty of imperfections if you look closely. But I’m still pretty proud of it. It was a challenging and rewarding project, and I learned a lot along the way. Plus, I now have a unique watch that I can wear and say I made it myself. It’s not the real deal, but it’s mine, and that’s what matters.
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