Okay, so I got this idea in my head to try and remake that fancy Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001 watch. Yeah, the one from their official shop. It’s a real looker, you know? I’ve always been into watches, and this one, with its Art Deco style and that shiny rose gold, it just called to me.
First off, I dug up everything I could find about this watch. It’s named after some big-shot retailer in Rio, Gondolo & Labouriau, that Patek Philippe was tight with back in the day, like, from 1872 to 1927. I mean, the history alone is pretty cool.
Then I started sketching. This watch, it’s not huge, about 28.6 x 40.85 mm, and only 7.36 mm thick. And it can handle a bit of water, up to 30 meters, not that I’d take a real one swimming! Patek Philippe, they’re not churning these out like a factory. We’re talking about 50,000 pieces a year, across 200 different models, real craftsmanship.
Materials and Tools
- Gathered a bunch of tools, nothing too fancy.
- Found some materials that looked like rose gold, but definitely weren’t.
- Used some of my mom’s old jewelry bits for the details.
Then I started building it from the bottom up. It’s like, Patek takes nine months to make one of their basic models. I didn’t have that kind of time, but I did spend a good few weeks on it. I shaped the case, tried to get that curve just right. Then came the tricky part, the bezel. I used some shiny stones, not real diamonds, obviously, but they sparkle alright.
Putting the watch face together was another story. I drew out the design, copied it the best I could, and then carefully assembled the hands and numbers. It was slow going, let me tell you. It’s no wonder these things take almost two years to make when they’re doing it for real.
Finishing Up
After a ton of hours, I finally finished my little project. And you know what? I’m actually pretty proud of it! It’s not a perfect copy, not by a long shot. But it’s got the vibe, that Art Deco feel, the rose gold look. It’s something I made with my own two hands, and that’s worth something. And this watch, inspired by the fancy one from Rio, it’s like a little piece of history on my wrist.
So yeah, that’s my story of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. It was a fun ride, a real challenge, and I learned a ton. Maybe one day I’ll get my hands on a real one, but for now, my little homemade version will do just fine.
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