Okay, folks, let’s dive into something I’ve been tinkering with lately – a remake of the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010.
Getting Started
First off, I got my hands on some decent blueprints. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. Lots of digging around forums and some questionable websites. But I finally found some that seemed legit.
Gathering the Goods
Next, I started collecting the materials. This is where things got interesting. You can’t just waltz into a store and buy this stuff, you know? I hit up some online shops, a few specialty stores, and even a couple of pawn shops, believe it or not. I needed specific types of metal, some tiny screws, and of course, the right kind of crystal for the watch face.
- Metal: I went with a white gold alternative. It’s not the real deal, but it looks pretty close.
- Screws: Tiny, tiny things. Had to order these online from a watch parts supplier.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal, just like the original. This was a bit pricey, but worth it.
The Nitty-Gritty
Then came the hard part – actually putting this thing together. I set up my workbench, got my tools ready, and started assembling the movement. This is the guts of the watch, the part that makes it tick. Man, it’s intricate! So many tiny gears and springs. I had to use a magnifying glass just to see what I was doing. I spent hours hunched over my workbench, carefully placing each part.
Putting it All Together
Once the movement was done, I moved on to the case. This was a bit easier, but still required a lot of precision. I had to shape the metal, polish it, and then carefully fit the movement inside. Then came the dial and the hands. These were tricky to attach, but I managed to get them on straight. I tried my best to make every procedure perfect.
The Final Touches
Finally, I added the crystal and the strap. The strap was a bit of a challenge, had to adjust every detail to make it look good. Once every part is finished, I spent a lot of time to test and adjust the accuracy and make it look nice. It may not be a genuine Patek Philippe, but it’s my little project, and I’m pretty darn proud of it. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And hey, it tells the time!
This whole process was a real learning experience. It took a lot of time, patience, and a few choice words when things went wrong. But in the end, I’ve got a pretty cool watch and a good story to tell.
It is the first time I have done it. But I am still so excited about the result. I am planning to make another one in the coming future. Keep an eye on my blog if you are interested.
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