Alright, let’s talk about this project I’ve been working on – remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. Now, I’m no professional watchmaker, just a guy who loves tinkering and has a soft spot for a good challenge. And let me tell you, this watch is a challenge. I saw one of these beauties online, and it just blew my mind. The price tag? Not so much. We’re talking around 38,630 USD, which is, well, a lot.
So, I started digging around. Found a bunch of listings for this specific model on some watch trading site, seems like there are about 15 of these ref. 4962/200R-001 watches floating around. This Patek Philippe Gondolo, it’s part of their Gondolo Serata collection, which is basically their fancy jewelry watch line. Apparently, it’s making a comeback, which is cool, I guess.
This particular model, the 4962/200R-001, it’s got this Art Deco vibe that I really dig. The case is 18k rose gold, all curved and sleek. And the bezel? It’s decked out with these shiny stones. I’m not sure if they are real diamonds or what, but they sure look fancy. I started to think, “Maybe I can recreate this.”
First, I needed to get the parts. This was a whole adventure in itself. I scoured the internet for similar-looking watch cases, movements, dials, hands, everything. Let me tell you, finding a curved rose gold case that even remotely resembled the original was a nightmare. I ended up settling for something that was close enough, but definitely not the real deal.
Then came the assembly. I set up my little workspace, got all my tools ready, and started putting this thing together. It was like a really complicated puzzle. I had to be super careful, especially with the tiny screws and the delicate movement. I spent hours just trying to get the hands to align properly. There were definitely some frustrating moments, let me tell you.
- Sourced parts from various online suppliers.
- Cleaned and prepped each component meticulously.
- Assembled the movement with a steady hand.
- Carefully fitted the dial and hands.
- Attached the strap to complete the watch.
After a lot of trial and error, and probably a few more gray hairs, I finally finished it. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. But it’s mine. It’s got that Gondolo vibe, the curved case, the sparkling bezel… okay, the “sparkling” is more like “glittering” in my version. But hey, it’s a reminder that sometimes, you just gotta try, even if you know you’re not gonna get it 100% right.
The Final Look
So, how does it look? Well, it’s definitely not a Patek Philippe. But it’s got its own charm. It tells the time, it looks kinda fancy, and it’s a testament to my stubbornness, I guess. And the best part? It didn’t cost me 38 grand!
This project taught me a lot. It showed me that watchmaking is a serious art form, and that I have a lot to learn. But it also proved that you don’t need a fortune to enjoy a little bit of luxury, or at least, a homemade version of it.
Would I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I think I’ll pick a watch that’s a little less… complicated. Or maybe I’ll just save up for the real thing. We’ll see.
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