Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this idea of remaking a Patek Philippe watch, the Gondolo 7041R-001 to be exact. These things are super fancy, and way out of my league price-wise, but I was like, “Why not give it a shot?”
I started by digging up everything I could find about this watch. I mean, I was all over the internet, checking out pictures, any specs I could get my hands on, you name it. The Gondolo, it turns out, is 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. And Patek Philippe itself? Started in 1839 by a couple of guys, Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe. Then in 1932, things changed up.
The official site had some stuff, but not everything. So, I hit up forums, watch blogs, and even some auction sites to piece together the details. It’s a classy piece, rose gold, with a silver dial, and it’s not too big, about 30 x 33.8 mm. And it’s not cheap, seeing listings around $26,000! I even tried to find places that might sell remakes, but mostly it’s about where to find the real deal or other models like the 7042/100G-010. Turns out, remaking a Nautilus 5711 is more common, and there are specialty stores for those.
I spent days, maybe even weeks, just soaking it all in. Looking at the design, the shape, the little details on the dial, the hands, everything. I sketched it out, made notes, the whole nine yards. I even researched the original box and papers just in case I wanted to go all out with the remake. I found out that the new model is from 2024.
Then came the fun part – trying to figure out how to actually make this thing. I don’t have the tools or the skills to make a watch movement, so I focused on the case and the dial. I started looking into materials. Rose gold is way too expensive, so I thought maybe a gold-plated something or another.
Sourcing the materials was a whole adventure in itself.
- I looked everywhere.
- Checked out some local jewelers.
- Browsed online for hours.
After a lot of trial and error, and a few mess-ups, I managed to put together something that looks kinda like the Gondolo 7041R-001. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. But, you know what? It was a blast to make, and I learned a ton. I felt like I was engaged in a dialogue with the watchmakers of the past, trying to understand their craft.
I’m not saying I’m gonna start selling these or anything. It was more of a personal challenge, a way to get closer to these watches that I admire so much. Plus, it’s a cool story to tell, right? It’s like, “Yeah, I tried to remake a twenty-six-thousand-dollar watch in my living room.”
Would I do it again? Maybe. There are so many other watches out there that catch my eye. But for now, I’m pretty proud of my little Gondolo project. It’s a reminder that you can get a taste of that luxury watch world without breaking the bank, even if it’s just a taste.
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