I’ve always been into watches, the flashy kind, you know? But I ain’t made of money, so I decided to try my hand at making a knockoff Rolex. Figured I’d start with something classic, and what’s more classic than a Rolex GMT-Master II with the “Pepsi” bezel? That red and blue is just iconic.
So, first thing I did was look up what makes this watch tick. Seems like the real deal goes for something crazy like $20,000 to $40,000! For a watch! I found some info saying they used to be cheaper, but still, that’s way out of my league. Anyway, I learned that the “Pepsi” part is just the color of the bezel, which is the ring around the watch face that you can turn.
Next, I started gathering parts. I found a cheap watch online that had a similar look to the GMT-Master II. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good starting point. The tricky part was the bezel. I couldn’t find a red and blue one that would fit my cheapo watch, so I had to get creative. I ended up buying a plain silver bezel and some red and blue paint.
Painting the Bezel
- First, I carefully removed the silver bezel from the watch. This took some patience and a tiny screwdriver.
- Then, I masked off half of the bezel with some tape, making sure the line was super straight.
- I painted one half with the red paint and the other half with the blue paint, nice and even.
- After letting it dry completely, I removed the tape and boom, I had a homemade Pepsi bezel!
Putting the painted bezel back on the watch was a bit fiddly, but I managed it without scratching anything. The final result? Well, it’s not a real Rolex, obviously. But it looks pretty darn close, at least from a distance! I’ve been wearing it around, and I’ve gotten a few compliments already. People ask me where I got it, and I just smile and say it’s a “custom” piece.
This whole project was a fun little experiment. It definitely satisfied my craving for a cool watch without breaking the bank. I learned a lot about how watches are put together, and I got to flex my DIY muscles. Plus, I’ve got a unique timepiece that’s a real conversation starter. Who knows, maybe I’ll try making another one, maybe a different model next time. The “Hulk” Submariner, perhaps? We’ll see!
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