Alright, let’s talk about this project I’ve been messing around with – trying to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. Yeah, that super fancy, rose gold watch that’s way out of my price range. I just love the look of it, especially that cushion shape and the whole vintage vibe it gives off.
Getting Started
First things first, I started by gathering all the information I could find about this watch. I mean, I scoured the internet for every picture, every spec, every little detail about the 7041R-001. I read about the 18k rose gold, the caliber 215 PS manual movement, the dimensions, and the whole deal.
The Process
Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’m pretty handy. So, I decided to take this on as a fun challenge. Since getting my hands on real rose gold wasn’t really an option, I looked for similar materials that could give me that same look. The case was the biggest hurdle. I found some decent metal with a rose gold finish, but getting that unique Gondolo cushion shape right took a lot of trial and error.
- I spent hours shaping the case, trying to get those curves just right. It involved a lot of filing, sanding, and cursing, to be honest.
- The dial was another beast. I tried a few different methods to recreate the look of the original. It wasn’t perfect, but I managed to get something that resembled it.
- For the movement, well, let’s just say I used a cheap quartz movement I found online. No way I could replicate that intricate Patek Philippe movement. But hey, it ticks!
The Strap
The strap was the easiest part. I found a brown leather strap that looked pretty close to the alligator one on the real watch. That was a simple swap.
Putting It All Together
Putting it all together was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I had all these parts that I had worked on individually, and now it was time to see if they could come together as a watch. It was a bit fiddly, especially getting the movement to sit right in the case, but eventually, I got it done.
The Result
So, the final product? It’s definitely not a Patek Philippe, and anyone who knows watches would spot it as a fake from a mile away. But to me, it’s a cool little project that I’m proud of. It’s got that rose gold look, the cushion shape, and it even tells the time. Plus, I learned a lot about watches and the work that goes into making them. It’s not perfect, and it’s rough around the edges, but it’s mine.
It’s not about passing it off as the real deal; it’s about the fun of making something, learning in the process, and just enjoying the challenge. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to get my hands on a real Patek Philippe. Until then, I’ve got my little homemade homage to the Gondolo.
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