Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Rolex GMT-Master II for a while now, specifically that slick left-handed version. But let’s be real, the price tag on those things is insane! So, I thought, why not try to make my own? Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but I figured it’d be a fun project. Plus, I’d get to learn a thing or two along the way.
First things first, I needed to find all the parts. I started by scouring the internet for a decent-looking case that fit the bill. Found one that was pretty close to the original, with that unique crown on the left side. Next up was the dial and the hands. I wanted that classic “Pepsi” look, with the red and blue bezel, you know? The markers had to be spot-on too, so I spent a good chunk of time comparing different options until I found ones that looked just right.
- Dial: Searched for a high-quality replica dial that closely matched the original.
- Hands: Found a set of hands that were the correct shape and size.
- Bezel: Sourced a “Pepsi” bezel insert with the right colors and font.
- Case: Located a left-handed case that was similar in design to the original.
Now, the movement was a whole different beast. There are a ton of different automatic movements out there, and finding one that would work with a left-handed case and have the right hand stack for a GMT was tough. I stumbled upon some forums talking about a “timebomb” movement that some folks were using, but I wasn’t too keen on that. Ended up going with a different movement that seemed more reliable, even if it wasn’t perfect.
Once I had all the parts, it was time to put this baby together. Let me tell you, it was a lot harder than I thought! Fitting the dial and hands was super fiddly, and getting the movement to sit just right in the case took some serious patience. But after a few hours of tinkering, and a few choice words, I finally got it all assembled. And then the bezel! I could not find the original one, but it doesn’t matter, I put on a very similar one, and it makes the watch look so nice.
The Result
Alright, so it’s not a real Rolex, and I’m not trying to fool anyone into thinking it is. But honestly, I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out! It looks great on my wrist, and it’s a fun conversation starter. Plus, I can proudly say that I built it myself, which is a pretty cool feeling. I weared it for a few days now and some friends asked me where I bought it from. I can’t wait to start my next project!
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