Okay, let’s talk about this whole Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi bezel thing. I’ve always liked the look of these watches, you know, classic and all that. So, I thought, why not try to make one myself? Not a real one, of course, just a high imitation.
Getting Started
First off, I needed to get my hands on some parts. I found this website that sells all kinds of watch parts, like dials, hands, bezels, the whole shebang. They even had parts that looked like the real Rolex stuff. So, I ordered a GMT-Master II style dial, some hands that looked like the ones on the Pepsi model, and that famous red and blue bezel insert. I also picked up a decent-looking stainless steel case and a bracelet. Total cost? Way less than a real Rolex, that’s for sure.
Putting it all Together
The trickiest part was the movement. I’m not exactly a watchmaker, but I found a cheap automatic movement online. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it kept time okay. I had to do a little fiddling to get it to fit inside the case properly, but eventually, I got it in there.
- Dial and hands: This was probably the easiest part. I just had to carefully place the dial onto the movement and then press the hands onto their respective posts. I used a little tool I found in a watch repair kit to make sure they were secure.
- Bezel insert: The bezel insert was a bit more of a challenge. I had to carefully align it with the bezel and then press it in. It was a tight fit, but I managed to get it in there without scratching it.
- Bracelet: Attaching the bracelet to the case was straightforward. I just used some spring bars to connect the two.
The Final Look
Honestly, I was pretty surprised at how it turned out. It wasn’t perfect, but it definitely looked like a Rolex GMT-Master II, especially from a distance. The red and blue bezel really popped, and the watch felt pretty solid on my wrist. I wore it around for a few days, and I even got a few compliments on it. People thought it was a real Rolex!
All in all, it was a fun little project. I learned a bit about how watches are put together, and I ended up with a pretty cool-looking watch for a fraction of the price of the real deal. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely a learning experience, and there’s always room for improvement.