Okay, here’s my experience about remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001, just like I’d share it on my blog:
Alright, folks, let me tell you about this little project I’ve been messing around with. I got this itch to try and remake that fancy Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. You know, the one you see in their official flagship store? Yeah, that one. It’s a real looker with that cushion-shaped case, all 18k rose gold and sparkly with diamonds. So, I thought, why not give it a shot?
Starting Out
First off, I had to get a good look at the real deal. Scoured the internet, found a bunch of pictures and info. This model, the 7041R, is a ladies’ watch, and it’s got 108 diamonds around the dial. Looked like it’s going for around 30 grand online! I studied those images like my life depended on it, zooming in, checking out every little detail. You know, get a feel for the shape, the size, the way it all comes together.
Getting Down to Business
- Gathering Materials: Now, I’m not made of money, so 18k rose gold was out of the question. But I found some decent alternatives that could give me a similar vibe. Same with the diamonds – had to go with some cheaper, but still shiny, substitutes. I mean, you can get some rose gold plated ones at a reasonable price.
- Shaping the Case: This was a tough one. That cushion shape isn’t something you see every day. I tried a few different methods, messed up a couple of times, but eventually got something that looked pretty close. It’s all about patience, you know?
- Setting the “Diamonds”: This part was actually kind of fun. Carefully placing each little “diamond” around the dial, making sure they were evenly spaced and secure. It’s tedious work, but seeing it come together was rewarding.
- The Dial and Movement: I’m not a watchmaker, so I kept it simple. I got a basic quartz movement and designed a dial that looked similar to the original. Nothing too fancy, but it gets the job done. This reference 7041R-001 is a manual wind one, but I went with the easiest option, haha.
Putting It All Together
Once I had all the pieces, it was time to assemble everything. This was the moment of truth. Would it all fit together? Would it look like a watch, or just a pile of parts? Thankfully, it all worked out. It wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely recognizable as a Gondolo-inspired watch.
The Final Result
So, there you have it. My homemade version of the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7041R-001. It’s not going to fool any experts, and it’s definitely not worth 30 grand, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It was a fun challenge, and I learned a lot along the way. Plus, now I have a unique watch that I can wear and say, “Yeah, I made that.” And who knows, maybe this will inspire someone else to try their hand at making their own watch. It’s a pretty cool feeling, I gotta say.
Anyways, that’s my story. Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think in the comments! And if you’ve ever tried making your own watch, I’d love to hear about it.
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