Okay, so, let me tell you about this little project I got into recently. I’ve always been a bit of a watch guy, right? And there’s this one watch, the Rolex GMT-Master II, that’s just iconic. Especially the “Root Beer” bezel version. But let’s be real, those things are pricey. So, I thought, why not try to make a high imitation one myself? Just for fun, you know?
I started by looking for information. I read a lot of reviews online, some from Amazon. Also found out that there are two versions, the GMT-Master and GMT-Master II. And people are all about them, even the pre-owned ones are getting super expensive. That’s how much of a big deal this watch is.
Then I dove into the details. The real Rolex Root Beer has this 18k rose gold case, 40mm size, and a two-toned ceramic bezel. The dial’s black, and the hands and markers are white. And the bracelet is this two-tone Oyster style. I also learned about the movement inside – the calibre 3285. Sounds fancy, right?
I realized getting 18k gold wasn’t gonna happen. So, I started looking for parts that looked the part. I found a decent stainless steel case that had a similar shape and size. For the bezel, I found a cheap “Root Beer” colored one, it is not real ceramic, but it looked good from a distance. The dial and hands were easier, there are tons of imitation parts out there. It is difficult to find a good one. I bought five, and only one of them is acceptable.
Putting it all together was a challenge. I had to watch a bunch of videos of people taking apart and putting together Rolex watches. Learned a lot about watch movements in the process. Finally, I managed to assemble the whole thing. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but it looked surprisingly good!
In the end, I learned a lot about watches and had a blast doing this project. Plus, I now have a cool-looking watch that reminds me of the real Rolex, even though it’s just a high imitation. It’s not about fooling anyone, it’s about the fun of the build and the appreciation for the design. And hey, it’s a conversation starter, right?
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