Okay, so, let’s talk about this watch project I’ve been messing around with. I’ve always been a bit of a watch nerd, and lately, I got it into my head to try and remake a fancy Patek Philippe Gondolo, specifically the 7042/100G-010 model. It’s got this classic, kind of old-school vibe that I really dig. The Gondolo, by the way, got its name from some big-shot watch retailer in Rio, Gondolo & Labouriau, that Patek was tight with back in the day, like from 1872 to 1927. That’s some history right there.
First things first, I started by just staring at a bunch of pictures of this watch online. I mean, really staring, trying to get every little detail in my head. This model, the 7042/100G-010, it’s got this Art Deco thing going on, which is pretty neat. I dug around and found that they usually go for a pretty penny online. It’s a whole thing in the watch world.
Then, I got down to business. I started sketching out the design, just on regular paper. I’m no artist, but I tried my best to copy that rectangular shape and all those fancy details on the dial. It was rough, but it was a start.
Next, I had to figure out the materials. The real deal is made with white gold, but I’m not made of money, so I opted for stainless steel. It’s sturdy and looks decent enough. I spent a good chunk of time online, just browsing through different sites, looking for parts that could work.
- Ordered some stainless steel sheets.
- Found a cheap quartz movement online. Not mechanical like the original, but it’ll do.
- Picked up some leather scraps for the strap.
Once the stuff arrived, I got to work cutting out the case. Man, that was a pain. I don’t have fancy tools, just some basic metalworking stuff. It took forever, and it’s not perfect, but I managed to get a shape that kinda resembles the Gondolo case. I drilled some holes for the crown and started shaping the lugs, those little bits that hold the strap.
The dial was another story. I printed out a picture of the original dial and tried to copy it onto a thin piece of metal. My hands are not steady, let me tell you. It’s messy, and the numbers are all wonky, but from a distance, it sort of looks like the real thing.
Putting the movement in was probably the easiest part. It just snapped into place. Then I worked on the strap. I cut and stitched the leather, which was actually kind of fun. It’s not as fancy as the original, but it’s handmade, and that’s something, right?
The Result
So, after all that, I ended up with a watch that looks… well, it looks like I made it in my garage. It’s not going to fool any watch experts, that’s for sure. But it’s got that Gondolo shape, and it tells the time, which is the main thing. I wear it sometimes, just around the house. It’s a conversation starter, at least with my wife, who thinks I’m nuts for spending so much time on this thing.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot. But it’s also a reminder of why these watches cost so much. There’s a ton of work and skill that goes into making them. I’ve got a new appreciation for watchmakers, that’s for sure. It’s not just about telling time; it’s about, I don’t know, craftsmanship and history and all that stuff. Anyway, that’s my little watch adventure. Hope you got a kick out of it.
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