Alright, guys, so the other day I was scrolling through some watch forums, and I kept seeing folks talking about this Rolex GMT-Master II, the left-handed version. You know, the one with the crown on the other side? It’s called the “Sprite” by some, because of its green and black bezel, which is pretty cool. Anyway, I got curious. I mean, everybody wants a Rolex, right? But they’re so damn expensive, and hard to get your hands on.
So, I thought, why not try to find a, shall we say, “homage” to this iconic watch? I started digging around. I looked at the Grand Seiko SBGJ237, which a lot of people love. It’s a beautiful watch, no doubt, but it wasn’t exactly what I was after. Then there was the Rolex Explorer II Ref. 226570. Technically, it’s similar to the GMT-Master II, but, just like its sibling, good luck finding one, and the price tag is, well, let’s just say it’s a lot. There are also Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT and Tudor Black Bay GMT. But these watches are not what I want.
I even checked out the Ocean 39 Vintage GMT Premium Ceramic from a brand called Steinhart. It looks the part, but it’s a right-handed watch. I mean, come on, I wanted that left-handed look!
Then I stumbled upon some forum posts, and some guys were talking about these high-quality replicas, or “super clones” as they call them. Apparently, there are factories out there that specialize in making these things, and they’re getting ridiculously good at it. I mean, these aren’t your typical Chinatown knock-offs. We’re talking about watches that are almost indistinguishable from the real deal, at least to the untrained eye. It is said that the current retail price of the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO Pepsi starts at $10,900 as of August 2023, which is too expensive for me.
So, I went down the rabbit hole. I found some of these “trusted dealers” that people were recommending. These guys have websites where you can browse their inventory, and it’s a bit overwhelming, to be honest. They have all sorts of Rolex models, and the GMT-Master II “Sprite” was right there.
I browsed for a while, read some reviews, and finally pulled the trigger. I ordered one of these high imitation Rolex GMT-Master II left-handed version watches. The ordering process was a bit nerve-wracking, I won’t lie. You’re sending money to some unknown entity overseas, hoping that you’ll actually receive something in return. But I paid through the method the dealer recommended, crossed my fingers, and waited.
A couple of weeks later, a package arrived. I ripped it open, and there it was. The watch was beautiful. The weight, the feel, the details, it was all there. The green and black ceramic bezel, the cyclops lens over the date, even the tiny crown etched on the crystal, everything looked spot on.
- The Movement: It’s not a genuine Rolex movement, obviously, but it’s a decent automatic movement that keeps good time.
- The Case Size: It’s 40mm, just like the original.
- The Details: Seriously, the attention to detail is insane. From the bracelet to the clasp, everything is a close match to the real thing.
I’ve been wearing this watch for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s a conversation starter, for sure. Most people just assume it’s a real Rolex, and I don’t bother to correct them. I mean, who am I to burst their bubble?
My Final Thoughts
Look, I know some people are purists and would never consider wearing a replica. And that’s fine, to each their own. But for me, this watch scratches that itch. I get to enjoy the look and feel of a Rolex GMT-Master II “Sprite” without breaking the bank. And honestly, it’s a pretty damn good watch in its own right. This is an interesting journey for me.
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