Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get into this whole watch remake thing for a while, and I finally took the plunge. My target? The Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. Yeah, that’s a mouthful, but it’s a real beauty. It’s got this classic, old-timey vibe that I really dig.
First things first, I had to find the parts. I started by looking for the case. Now, the real deal is made of 18k gold, and they have this “750” mark to prove it. I wasn’t about to drop that kind of cash, so I went hunting for something that looked similar but wouldn’t break the bank. I ended up finding a stainless steel case that was pretty darn close to the original. It’s got that same curvy shape and everything.
Next, I had to find a dial that would work. I searched high and low. I found a few that were okay, but nothing that really blew me away. Then, I found a perfect dial for the Gondolo 4962 on an online forum, and it was a real close match to the original. It was a bit of a gamble, but it paid off.
- The movement was the trickiest part. I’m not exactly a watch expert, you know? But I did some digging and found a movement that was the same size and had the right functions. It wasn’t a Patek movement, of course, but it did the job.
- Putting it all together was a bit of a challenge. But I took my time, watched a bunch of videos, and finally managed to get it all assembled.
And you know what? It turned out pretty good! It’s not perfect, of course. The real Patek has these tiny numbers that you can barely see, while mine are a bit more obvious. And obviously, it’s not gold like the original. But, it definitely captures that classic Gondolo look.
It’s a cool feeling, wearing something that I basically built myself. And it’s a great conversation starter, too. People are always asking me about it. This whole experience got me hooked. I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe a vintage Rolex or something. Who knows? The possibilities are endless!
Click to consult