Okay, here is my sharing about the Rolex GMT-Master II, left-handed version, classic style.
Man, I’ve been eyeing this Rolex GMT-Master II for a while now, especially the left-handed version. It’s just got that classic vibe, you know? So, I finally pulled the trigger and decided to make a high imitation of it. I’m not trying to pass it off as the real deal or anything, just wanted to see if I could actually pull it off and have something cool to wear.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to find a good base watch. I searched around and found a decent automatic movement that wouldn’t break the bank. It’s not a Rolex movement, obviously, but it keeps time pretty well. I made sure to get one with a GMT function, cause that’s kinda the whole point of this watch, right?
- Scoured the internet for a suitable automatic movement.
- Prioritized a movement with a functional GMT feature.
- Ensured the movement was within my budget.
Dial and Hands
Next up was the dial. I found a place that makes custom dials, and they were able to print one up that looked just like the real thing. It’s got that iconic black and green “Sprite” bezel, and the date window is in the right spot. I had to get the hands separately, but they were pretty easy to find. I just made sure they were the right shape and size, and that they glowed in the dark like the originals.
- Commissioned a custom dial that closely mirrored the authentic Rolex design.
- Selected the distinctive black and green “Sprite” bezel for the dial.
- Sourced hands independently, matching them for size and shape.
- Verified that the hands had a luminescent feature for night visibility.
Putting It Together
This was the tricky part. I watched a bunch of videos on how to take apart a watch and put it back together. Honestly, it was a lot harder than it looked. I ended up buying some cheap tools, but I still managed to scratch the case a little bit. But hey, it’s a learning process, right? It took me a couple of tries, but I finally got the movement, dial, and hands all in place. I even managed to get the crown on the left side, like the original.
- Watched several watch disassembly and reassembly tutorials.
- Acquired necessary tools for watch modification.
- Carefully installed the movement, dial, and hands into the watch case.
- Positioned the crown on the left side to replicate the original design.
Final Touches
Once I had it all assembled, I put on a nice stainless steel bracelet. I found one that looks pretty close to the Rolex Oyster bracelet, and it feels really solid on my wrist. It was a bit of a pain to adjust, but I eventually got it to fit just right.
- Selected a stainless steel bracelet similar in appearance to the Rolex Oyster bracelet.
- Fitted the bracelet to the watch, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit.
Wearing It Proudly
Honestly, I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out. It’s not perfect, and a true watch fanatic would probably spot the differences right away, but it looks really good on my wrist. It feels solid, it keeps good time, and the GMT hand actually works. Plus, it was a fun project to do, and I learned a lot about watches in the process. I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks now, and I’ve gotten a few compliments on it. I always tell people it’s not a real Rolex, of course, but they still think it’s cool. At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters, right?
- Proudly wearing the completed high imitation Rolex GMT-Master II.
- Receiving positive feedback on the watch’s appearance and functionality.
- Disclosing to others that the watch is a replica while still enjoying their admiration.
So, there you have it. My little adventure in making a high imitation of a classic watch. I’m not a professional watchmaker, just a regular guy who likes to tinker with stuff. If you’re thinking about doing something similar, just be prepared to put in some time and effort, and don’t expect to get a perfect result on your first try. But most importantly, have fun with it!
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