Okay, so I wanted to share my recent project with you all. I took on the task of remaking the Patek Philippe Gondolo 7042/100G-010. Yeah, it was as wild as it sounds.
First, I started by looking up a ton of pictures and information about this watch. This Gondolo model, the 7042/100G-010, it’s a real beauty. It’s got this white gold case and is covered in diamonds. The dial is made with Akoya pearls, and it’s just stunning.
- Gathered all the info I could find on the watch’s specs.
- Studied the design, especially the way those 251 diamonds are set in a circular pattern.
- Noted the 12 trapeze-cut diamond hour markers.
Breaking Down the Process
I broke down the project into smaller parts. The case is rectangular and made of 18k white gold. I found that the original watch has a mechanical, manually wound movement, caliber 215. I needed to figure out how to replicate that. The case size is 31mm by 34.8mm, which was important to get right.
The diamonds were the trickiest part. I mean, 251 diamonds set in a circular pattern? That’s a lot of bling! I spent hours figuring out how to mimic that look. And those 12 trapeze-cut diamond hour markers? I had to make sure they were placed perfectly. Also, the dial plate is 18K gold, so I had to consider how to replicate that as well.
I learned that Patek Philippe is not a mass producer. They only make about 50,000 pieces a year. That makes sense because each watch takes months, sometimes years, to make. This company has been owned by the Stern family since 1932, so it has a long history and tradition.
Putting It All Together
I began by crafting the case. I used a white gold material to match the original. Then, I worked on setting the diamonds. It was painstaking work, but I managed to get them arranged in a similar circular pattern. The hour markers were next. I carefully placed them to match the original design. The dial plate was crafted from a gold-like material to give it that luxurious look.
It was a challenging project, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s not perfect, but it captures the essence of the Gondolo 7042/100G-010. I learned a lot about watchmaking and the incredible craftsmanship that goes into these timepieces. Hope you all enjoyed this little adventure of mine!
Click to consult