Okay, so, I’ve been itching to do this for a while, and today I finally took the plunge. I decided to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100R-010. Yeah, I know, it sounds pretty wild. I saw this beauty on some website, and I just couldn’t get it out of my head. So, I grabbed my tools and started this crazy journey.
First things first, I gathered all the materials I could find. I’m talking about all sorts of scraps and bits and pieces that I thought could work. I spent days just searching and collecting. My workspace started looking like a junkyard, but hey, it was all in the name of this project.
I started by sketching out the design. I stared at pictures of the Gondolo 7042/100R-010 for hours, trying to get every detail right. Then, I began shaping the case. This was a real pain, to be honest. I used some old metal sheets and started hammering and bending. It took a lot of elbow grease, and let me tell you, my hands were sore for days.
The dial was another beast. I tried to mimic the original guilloché pattern, which was incredibly tricky. I used some fine tools and a magnifying glass, and after messing up a few times, I finally got something that looked decent. It wasn’t perfect, but it had that handmade charm, you know?
Next up was the movement. This was the most challenging part, hands down. I used parts from old watches and clocks, trying to piece together something that would actually work. There were moments when I thought I’d lost my mind, trying to fit those tiny gears and springs together. I even had to make some parts from scratch, which was a whole other level of frustrating.
- Gathering materials: Scouring for scraps and bits that could work.
- Sketching the design: Hours spent studying pictures of the original watch.
- Shaping the case: Hammering and bending old metal sheets.
- Creating the dial: Mimicking the guilloché pattern with fine tools.
- Assembling the movement: Piecing together parts from old watches and making some from scratch.
After weeks of work, a lot of trial and error, and a few choice words, I finally assembled the whole thing. I wound it up, held my breath, and… it ticked! I couldn’t believe it. It actually worked. I set the time and watched it run, feeling a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s not an exact replica, but it’s my take on the Gondolo 7042/100R-010. It runs, it tells time, and it’s something I made with my own two hands.
This project was a wild ride, full of ups and downs, but I’m so glad I did it. It’s a reminder that with enough determination and a bit of stubbornness, you can create something truly special. Thanks for following along on this adventure. Until next time, keep making things!
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