Okay, so, I got this idea the other day. I was browsing through some watch forums, and I saw this beautiful Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001. It’s a jewelry watch, and it just screams elegance. The brown lacquered dial with the floral pattern and those Breguet numerals at 6 and 12 o’clock, man, it’s a piece of art. But, you know, the price tag? Out of this world! So, I thought, why not try to remake it myself?
First, I started gathering materials. I needed a watch case similar in size and shape. I found one that’s about 28mm by 40mm. I think, the original one is 28.6 x 40.85 mm, so that is pretty close. And I think, the height of this case is around 7.36 mm, which is also close to the original. Rose gold would be ideal, but that’s gonna cost a fortune, so I settled for a gold-plated one. It still looks pretty decent, though.
Then, the dial. This was the tricky part. I wanted that brown lacquered look with the floral pattern. I spent days experimenting with different paints and techniques. I even tried using some stencils I found online to get that floral design. The numerals were another challenge. I practiced hand-painting them for hours until they looked somewhat presentable.
- Finding the Right Case: I searched online and found a watch case that was pretty close to the Gondolo’s size. Not rose gold, but gold-plated to keep it within budget.
- Recreating the Dial: This was tough. I tried different brown paints and clear coats to get that shiny, lacquered look. The floral pattern was done with stencils and a lot of patience.
- Painting the Numerals: I practiced painting the “6” and “12” over and over again until they looked okay. Not perfect, but hey, I’m not a professional!
- The strap and buckle: I found a brown strap. The original buckle is probably pretty fancy, but I just used a regular one.
Putting it all together was nerve-wracking. I was so afraid of messing up after all that work. I carefully placed the dial into the case, making sure it was aligned perfectly. Then, I attached the movement and the hands. Finally, I added the strap. I did it. I actually managed to put it together.
The Result
Now, it’s not an exact replica, of course. But honestly, I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It captures the essence of the Patek Philippe Gondolo 4962/200R-001, at least in my eyes. It’s got that elegant vibe, and the dial, while not perfect, has its own charm. And the best part? I made it myself! I might not wear it every day, but it’s definitely a conversation starter. And every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the fun and challenging process of creating something from scratch. It feels like mine, you know?
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