Okay, so, let me tell you about this little project I’ve been messing around with – trying to remake a Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but I was like, “Why not give it a shot?”
I started by gathering all the stuff I needed. It was a bit of a scavenger hunt, to be honest. I dug around online, hit up some forums, and even chatted with a few watch guys I know. Basically, I was on the hunt for parts that looked and felt like the real deal. We’re talking about the case, the dial, the hands, the movement – the whole nine yards.
Once I had all the pieces, the real fun began. I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. First, I prepped the case. This involved some careful polishing and making sure everything was fitting just right. It was kind of like putting together a really fancy puzzle, but with way higher stakes.
Then came the dial and the hands. Now, this was tricky. I wanted to get that same elegant look as the original, so I spent a good chunk of time just staring at pictures of the 4962/200R-001. I carefully placed each hand, making sure they were aligned perfectly. It was nerve-wracking, but super satisfying when it all came together.
The movement was a whole other beast. I opted for a decent automatic movement that I could tweak a bit. I spent hours disassembling, cleaning, and oiling all the tiny parts. Then, I put it all back together, crossing my fingers that I hadn’t messed anything up. To be honest, i was a little worried that i may break the tiny parts.
- First step: Assemble the movement into the case.
- Second step: Carefully set the dial onto the movement.
- Third step: Attach the hands to the movement.
- Forth step: Make sure the hands are correctly aligned.
- Fifth step: Close up the case and install the crystal.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally finished. I stepped back to admire my handiwork, and you know what? It actually looked pretty damn good! Sure, it wasn’t a genuine Patek Philippe, but it was a solid homage, and I was proud of myself for pulling it off. I wore it and tested the time, it worked as it should be.
The results
This whole experience was a wild ride, but I learned a ton about watchmaking. Plus, I ended up with a pretty sweet timepiece that didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. Would I do it again? Maybe. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy the fruits of my labor. It feels good when you finally did it.