So, I got this wild hair to try and remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo, the 7042/100G-010, you know, the one that’s all blinged out with diamonds. I saw it once, and it just stuck with me. It’s like, ridiculously gorgeous. But let’s be real, getting your hands on a real one is like winning the lottery—long waitlists and crazy exclusive.
First, I started digging around. Found out everything I could about this watch. It’s not just any watch; it’s a statement. The Gondolo collection is where Patek Philippe puts all their fancy-shaped watches, and this one? It’s a stunner, with a white gold case, a boatload of diamonds, and a dial that just makes you stop and stare. It is rectangular shape, looks very unique and beautiful.
I needed parts, right? So, I hit up every online store and forum I could think of. Looking for anything that could pass for the real deal. For the case, I found a decent white gold one that had the right shape. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough. And the diamonds? That was tough. I ended up getting some high-quality cubic zirconia. They sparkle pretty good, and from a distance, you can’t really tell the difference.
Then came the assembly. I started by setting the stones into the case. This was a pain, let me tell you. Each little “diamond” had to be placed just right. It took forever, and I nearly lost my mind a few times. But I kept at it, and eventually, the case started to look like something special.
Next up was the dial. I found a plain white one that I figured I could work with. I carefully painted it to match the pictures I had of the real Gondolo. It was tricky, but after a few tries, I got it pretty close. Then I added the hour markers and the Patek Philippe logo. I had to use a magnifying glass for that part. My eyes were definitely not happy with me by the end of it.
- Case: Found a white gold case online. Not a real Patek, but it had the right vibe.
- Diamonds: Settled for some shiny cubic zirconia. Close enough, right?
- Dial: Bought a plain one and painted it myself. It’s all about that DIY life.
- Movement: Got a decent automatic movement. Keeps time like a champ.
Putting It All Together
With all the parts ready, I started putting the watch together. The movement went into the case first, then the dial. I attached the hands, which was super fiddly. I swear, watch hands are designed to test your patience. Finally, I added the strap, a nice leather one with a fold-over clasp. I even managed to set some more of those “diamonds” into the clasp. Because why not?
It is a fold-over clasp set with 55 diamonds, and I made it.
In the end, my homemade Gondolo wasn’t an exact replica, but it was something I was proud of. It looked pretty darn good, kept time well, and every time I looked at it, I remembered the hours I put into making it. It wasn’t about fooling anyone into thinking it was a real Patek Philippe. It was about the challenge, the learning, and the satisfaction of creating something with my own two hands.
Who knows, maybe someday I’ll actually get a real Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. But until then, I’m pretty happy with my little project. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the things you make yourself are the most valuable, even if they’re a bit rough around the edges.
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