Alright, let’s talk about this little project I got into. I decided to remake the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. Yeah, that fancy watch. It’s a pretty piece, no doubt. The actual one, I mean. Mine? Well, it’s a work in progress.
So, I started by looking up everything I could find about this watch. I mean, I’m no expert, but I got the gist. It’s called “Gondolo Serata,” and it’s supposed to be all elegant and stylish. Found some info saying it’s a “jewelry watch.” Okay, I can work with that.
Then, I got into the details. The real one has a brown dial with some flower patterns, gold numbers, and an 18K rose gold case. The dimensions are like 28.6 x 40.85 mm, and it’s pretty thin, about 7.36 mm thick. Also, it’s water-resistant up to 30 meters, which I guess is good if you accidentally drop it in a puddle or something.
I went and gathered some materials. Got some gold paint, a brown watch face. I thought it was the same color, but it was a little off. I tried painting the flower motif. Man, that was a little rougher than I expected. The original is like, super detailed with both matte and polished finishes. Mine? Not so much.
Next up, the numbers. The real Patek Philippe has these fancy “Breguet” numbers. I tried to copy them, but let’s just say mine are more “abstract.”
The case was another challenge. Rose gold is not something I had, so I used a regular metal case and tried to paint it. It’s not perfect, but it kind of looks like rose gold from a distance. Maybe a long distance.
I found out that the serial number on the real watch is usually on the back, I did put a random number on mine, just for fun.
Oh, and the movement. The original uses a quartz movement. I just used a cheap one I found online. I know, I know, it’s not the same, but hey, it tells time. Well, it will, once I finish setting it up.
Putting it all together was a bit of a mess. The pieces didn’t fit perfectly, and I had to use a lot of glue. Let’s just say it’s not exactly “water-resistant” anymore. More like “water-suggestive.”
The real Gondolo is made in some fancy place called Plan-les-Ouates in Geneva. Mine was made in my living room. So, yeah, different vibes.
Here’s a little rundown of what I did:
- Gathered info: Looked up all the specs of the real watch.
- Got materials: Found some paint, a watch face, and a cheap movement.
- Painted the dial: Tried to copy the flower pattern and the numbers.
- Worked on the case: Painted a regular case to look like rose gold.
- Assembled the watch: Glued everything together.
- Set the time: Still working on this part.
So, that’s where I’m at with my Gondolo remake. It’s not exactly a masterpiece, but it was a fun project. And hey, it kind of looks like the real thing if you squint hard enough.
I guess the whole point is, sometimes it’s fun to try to make things, even if you’re not an expert. You learn a lot, and you get to appreciate the real thing even more.
The Result
My watch and the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001 are pretty different. But, you know, it was a good try. I enjoyed the process, even if the result isn’t something I’d wear out in public. I might try remaking another watch in the future, but for now, I think I’ll stick to just telling the time with my phone.
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