Okay, folks, let me tell you about this little project I got myself into recently. So, I’ve been eyeing the Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer” for a while now. That two-tone bezel, the rose gold – it’s a real looker. But, let’s be honest, the price tag on those things is, well, let’s just say it’s a bit much. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and try to make my own high-imitation version.
First off, I needed to find a good base watch. I wasn’t going to mess with a real Rolex, no way. I found a decent automatic watch that had a similar shape and size to the GMT-Master II. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good starting point.
The real challenge was that darn bezel. I searched high and low, reading through forums, and even found myself asking around some not-so-well-known watch shops. I finally managed to find a seller who had a high-imitation “Root Beer” bezel that looked pretty darn close to the real deal. It had that same two-tone color scheme, although the material felt a little different. I went ahead and ordered it, fingers crossed.
- Scouring the internet for a high-imitation “Root Beer” bezel.
- Finding a seller and ordering the bezel.
- Hoping it looks as good in person as it did in the pictures.
Removing the Old Bezel
When the bezel arrived, I was pretty stoked. It wasn’t an exact match, but it was close enough for my liking. Now came the tricky part – getting the old bezel off and the new one on. I watched a bunch of videos online and armed myself with some basic watch tools, which I bought a long time ago. It was a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest. I was so worried about scratching the watch case or messing up the movement.
But, I took my time, followed the instructions I’d seen online, and managed to pry off the old bezel without any major mishaps. Phew! Putting the new bezel on was a bit easier, but it still took some careful maneuvering to get it to snap into place correctly.
The Final Touches
With the new bezel in place, I took a step back to admire my handiwork. It wasn’t a Rolex, of course, but it definitely had that “Root Beer” vibe. I swapped out the original bracelet for a two-tone one that matched the bezel a bit better. I also aged the watch a little. I even tried to do some polishing and aging, which I know is not the way, but I wanted to get some practice. It was a fun little detail to add.
The whole process was a bit of a learning curve. There were definitely some moments where I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew. But, in the end, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I’ve got a watch that looks a lot like the Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer,” but without the hefty price tag. It’s not perfect, there are some imperfections here and there, but it’s mine, and I had a blast putting it together.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely a fun project, and I learned a lot about watches in the process. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, just be prepared to do your research, take your time, and don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way. It’s all part of the fun!
Click to consult