Recently I’ve been messing around with watches, and I have to say, it’s pretty darn fun. I’m not talking about those super fancy, break-the-bank types. Nah, I’m more into finding cool pieces that look like a million bucks but don’t cost it. So, the other day, I decided to try my hand at making a high imitation of the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman Bezel Classic Style. You know, the one with that slick black and blue bezel? Yeah, that’s the one.
First, I started by digging around for some info. I looked at tons of pictures online, read what other watch nerds were saying in forums, and even read some Amazon reviews, no kidding! Saw a bit about the Timex Allied Three GMT, which some folks say is a good alternative to the Rolex Batman. Not what I was going for, but interesting nonetheless. My goal was to get as close to the real deal as possible, and some of the information on the Rolex Caliber 3186’s 31 jewel movement gave me some good information.
After I felt like I had a good grasp of what makes the Rolex tick, I started hunting for parts. I found a decent-looking case that had a similar vibe to the original. It wasn’t yellow gold like that discontinued 116718LN model I saw on Watches Off 5th, but it had the right shape and feel. The bezel was the trickiest part. I wanted that iconic blue and black, so I spent a good chunk of time searching for a ceramic bezel insert that would fit my case and give me that Batman look. I did read about some homages to the Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master, which has that unique red-and-blue look, but that’s a project for another day.
The movement was another story. I didn’t need anything super fancy, just something that would keep time and not fall apart on me. I ended up going with a basic automatic movement that had a similar jewel count, or whatever, and power reserve to the Rolex’s 3186. It’s not a Superlative Chronometer, but hey, it gets the job done.
Putting It All Together
Once I had all the pieces, it was time to assemble this bad boy. It was a bit fiddly, I’ll admit. Especially getting the hands and the dial to align just right. But after a few hours of tinkering, and maybe a few choice words, I managed to get it all together. I even measured the thickness and lug-to-lug distance, just to see how close I got. It’s not exact, but it’s in the ballpark.
The final product? Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. It’s got that classic Batman vibe, the weight feels good on the wrist, and it keeps time pretty accurately. It’s not a Rolex, of course, but it’s a pretty decent imitation that I’m proud to wear. And the best part? I made it myself, which makes it even more special. Maybe this is the start of a new hobby, who knows? I’m already eyeing some other models to try my hand at. The Rolex Pepsi is looking pretty tempting…
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