Alright, let’s talk about my little project of remaking a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. You know, the classic style. It’s a beauty, but the real deal? Man, that’s way out of my league, price-wise.
So, I got this idea – why not try to recreate it myself? I mean, I’m pretty handy, and I’ve always loved a good challenge. Plus, I found out that the original goes for around $37,470, and sometimes you can snag a used one for about $25. That’s still a lot of dough! And I see some replica sites selling it for around $29980, even that is not acceptable to me.
Getting Started
First thing’s first, I started researching. I learned that this watch is part of their Gondolo collection, which is all about those fancy shapes – rectangles, tonneau, cushion, you name it. This particular model, the 7041R-001, is a ladies’ watch with a cushion-shaped case. It’s powered by a hand-wound caliber 215 PS movement. Fancy, right?
I started gathering materials. The case of the original is 18k rose gold. I found some rose gold-plated material that looked pretty close. Also, the original has 108 diamonds around the dial flange. Now, I didn’t go for real diamonds, but I got some pretty convincing cubic zirconias.
Putting It Together
The case dimensions are 30×33.8mm. I started shaping the case, it’s my first time to do that, it took me a while to get it right, but it was a fun process. Then came the tricky part – setting those little “diamonds.” It was tedious, I tell you, but the end result was worth it. They really sparkle!
The original watch has a sapphire crystal. I found a similar material and managed to fit it onto my case. It’s supposed to be waterproof down to 30 meters, but I haven’t tested that yet. I’m a bit scared to, to be honest.
The movement is where I had to make a big compromise. The original has a mechanical manual wind movement, caliber 215 PS, with small seconds and 18 jewels. I couldn’t replicate that. I ended up using a decent quartz movement I found. It’s not the same, but it keeps time.
The Final Touches
The original has a beautiful strap, but I just went with a simple leather one. It looks okay, I guess. The whole process took me several weeks, working on it during my spare time. There were moments of frustration, sure, but also a lot of satisfaction.
The Result
So, how did it turn out? Well, it’s not a perfect replica, not by a long shot. But it captures the essence of the Gondolo 7041R-001, I think. It’s got that classic, elegant look. And when I wear it, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I made this! It’s not about fooling anyone into thinking it’s a real Patek Philippe. It’s about the joy of creating something, the challenge of it, and the fun of learning along the way.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. Who knows, maybe I’ll try remaking another watch someday. But for now, I’m pretty happy with my Gondolo-inspired creation. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life are the ones you make yourself. And who knows, some people may not even notice the difference! But I know, and that is what matters.
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What I learned:
- Shaping a watch case is tough!
- Setting tiny stones is a test of patience.
- The right materials can make a big difference.
- The journey is just as important as the destination.
So, that’s my story. Hope you enjoyed it! Maybe it’ll inspire you to try your hand at something new. You never know what you can achieve until you try, right?
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