Okay, here’s my sharing about how I did a high imitation of the Rolex GMT-Master II, just like the one from the official flagship store.
A few months ago, I got this crazy idea to try and make a super high-quality fake of a Rolex GMT-Master II. You know, the kind you’d see in their fancy official stores. I’ve always been into watches, and this felt like the ultimate challenge. I did some digging online, found a few forums and articles about spotting fakes, which ironically, helped me figure out what to look for to make mine better.
First up? Finding a base watch. I found a used Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710 that was in pretty rough shape, but the movement was still ticking along nicely. I figured I could use it as a starting point and replace the parts that needed to be improved. I took it apart carefully, like a surgeon with his patient. I cleaned every single part, oiled what needed oiling, you know, the whole nine yards.
Dial and Markers
Then came the hard part – making it look the part. I studied tons of pictures of the real deal, especially the Pepsi bezel version, the 126710BLRO. The dial, the hands, the bezel, everything had to be perfect. It was a tough call. The dial and markers were a real pain. I went through a few different versions before I got something that looked legit. It is no surprise that there are many replica Rolex models, but most of them look like an afterthought.
I ordered parts from all over the place. Some were okay, some were total crap. It was a lot of trial and error. I messed up a few times, spent way more money than I wanted to, but I was determined to get it right. Because of the popularity of Rolex, especially models like the GMT-Master II or Submariner, I finally understood why the price is so high. If the price is too good to be true, the product must be a fake one. And if the diamonds don’t match, it is also a fake one.
The Left-Handed Version
But the moment I put the last piece in, I swear, my jaw dropped. I created a left-handed Rolex GMT-Master II. Honestly, I was blown away. It looked incredible. The weight was right, the details were spot on, even the way the bezel clicked was just… chef’s kiss.
I’ve been wearing it around, and no one’s been able to tell the difference. It’s my little secret, a testament to what you can do with a bit of time, effort, and a whole lot of patience. Would I do it again? Probably not. It was a ton of work. But hey, I can now say I made a Rolex GMT-Master II that could fool even the snobbiest of watch collectors.
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