Okay, let’s talk about this little project I’ve been messing around with – trying to remake the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’ve always been fascinated by these intricate timepieces. And this Gondolo, with its rectangular case and that Art Deco vibe, it just called out to me.
So, I started by looking everywhere I could find information about this watch. I learned it’s part of the Gondolo Serata collection, which apparently is all about “timeless elegance.” I’m not sure about elegance, but it definitely has a unique style.
First, I gathered all the details I could.
- The case is about 40mm and made of rose gold.
- It has a solid case back and a buckle clasp.
- It’s got a quartz movement, which I guess is the battery-powered kind.
- It’s supposed to be water-resistant up to 30 meters. Not that I’d take a real one swimming, let alone my homemade version!
- It only shows hours and minutes – no fancy stuff.
Then came the fun part – actually trying to make this thing!
I started with the case. Now, I don’t have any rose gold lying around, so I had to improvise. I found some rectangular pieces of metal and tried to shape them to look like the Gondolo’s case. It wasn’t easy, and let’s just say it doesn’t look exactly like the original. More like an “inspired by” version. The size is about 40mm, like the real deal, but that’s about where the exact similarities end.
Next, I tackled the dial. I found a picture of the Gondolo’s dial online and tried to recreate it. It’s got those fancy numbers and the Patek Philippe logo. I printed it out and stuck it onto a piece of cardboard. High-tech, I know.
Making the Movement
For the movement, I just grabbed a cheap quartz movement from an old clock I had lying around. I figured, as long as it tells the time, that’s good enough for me. I managed to fit it inside my makeshift case, which was a bit of a struggle. Let’s just say there was a lot of glue involved.
Finally, I needed a strap. I found an old leather belt and cut it to size. I even made a little buckle out of some wire. It’s not pretty, but it works.
Putting it all together was a challenge, to say the least. It took a few tries to get everything to fit, and it’s definitely not winning any beauty contests. But hey, it’s my own little version of the Gondolo, and it actually tells the time!
This whole project was more about the journey than the destination. It was a fun way to learn more about watches and to challenge myself creatively. Would I wear my creation out in public? Probably not. But it’s a cool little reminder of what you can do with a bit of imagination and a lot of patience. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real deal! Or maybe I’ll just stick to making these funky homemade versions. It’s definitely cheaper!
Click to consult