Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001 for the longest time. You know, the one with that classy rose gold case and that rounded octagonal shape? Yeah, that’s the one. The thing is, these watches are pretty darn expensive, and finding an original in good condition is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I thought, “Why not try to remake one myself?” I mean, how hard could it be, right? Famous last words.
First things first, I needed to get a good look at the watch. I spent hours, days even, just staring at pictures online. The Patek Philippe website, some luxury watch forums, you name it. I wanted to memorize every little detail, every curve, every finish. I even tried to find some blueprints or technical drawings, but no luck there. I guess Patek Philippe is pretty tight-lipped about that stuff.
Getting the Materials
Next up, the materials. This was a whole other can of worms. I knew I couldn’t get the exact same materials as the original, but I wanted to get as close as possible. I did some digging and found a supplier who could provide me with a decent rose gold alloy. It wasn’t cheap, let me tell you, but it was the closest I could get to that signature Patek Philippe hue.
For the case and bezel, I decided to go with a 39.9 mm case size, like the original. I found a local craftsman who could mill the case and bezel out of the rose gold alloy. It took a few tries to get the shape just right, especially that rounded octagonal bezel. Let’s just say there were a few… prototypes… that didn’t quite make the cut.
- Sourced a rose gold alloy for the case and bezel.
- Worked with a local craftsman to mill the case.
- Had to go through a few iterations to get the shape right.
The Movement
Now, the movement. This was the trickiest part. I’m no watchmaker, so I knew I couldn’t build a movement from scratch. So, after much internal debate, I decided to go with a high-quality, ready-made movement. I found one online that had a similar size and had the annual calendar feature. It’s not the exact same caliber as the original Gondolo, but it was the best I could do without going bankrupt.
The Dial and Hands
The dial was another challenge. I wanted to replicate that clean, elegant look of the original. I managed to find a dial maker online who could create a custom dial based on my specifications. We went back and forth a few times on the design, the color, the font… It was a painstaking process, but we eventually got there.
The hands were a bit easier. I found a set of hands online that were similar in style to the original Gondolo hands. They weren’t an exact match, but they were close enough.
Putting It All Together
Finally, it was time to put it all together. I took the case, bezel, movement, dial, and hands to a local watchmaker. I explained what I was trying to do, and thankfully, he was willing to help. He carefully assembled all the pieces, and after a few days of work, the watch was finally complete.
And you know what? It actually turned out pretty darn good. Sure, it’s not a genuine Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001, but it’s my own little version of it. And I’m pretty proud of it. I learned a ton about watches, about craftsmanship, and about my own limitations. It was a long, challenging, but ultimately rewarding experience. Now, every time I look at this watch on my wrist, I’m reminded of all the hard work and effort that went into making it.
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