Okay, so, let’s talk about this little project I got into: trying to make a knock-off Rolex GMT-Master II, the one with the “Pepsi” bezel. You know, the red and blue one? It all started when I saw the prices of the real deal.
First, I started digging around to see what I could find about these watches. I found that there is an official dealer in Nedre Slottsgate 11. Of course, I am not going there.
Then, I stumbled upon a similar watch, the Orient Mako II, also with a Pepsi bezel. It got me thinking, maybe I could use some parts or get some inspiration from there. Seemed like a good starting point. I mean, if they can do it, why can’t I?
I spent hours on forums, reading posts from years ago. People were talking about the tiny details, like how close the numbers are to the edge of the bezel. Some said on the real Rolex, the numbers are super close to the inner edge, while on others, they’re more centered. I made a note of that – details matter.
- Found a post from 2018, someone was selling a Rolex GMT Master II with a coke bezel. Not what I needed, but interesting.
- Another one from 2014, same watch, same bezel.
- Then a 2012 post about a Pepsi version. Getting closer!
- And a gem from July 29, talking about a “U” Pepsi GMT Master II. I had to look up what “U” meant. Apparently, it’s a production year thing.
I also found a video about checking these watches under UV light. Some parts are supposed to show up differently. I guess it’s one way to tell if it’s real or not. Not sure if I can replicate that, but I added it to my to-do list. It’s like being a secret agent or something, checking for hidden marks.
There were also some complaints about the new ceramic bezels compared to the old aluminum ones. Someone said they still loved the watch but missed the old look. I get it. Old-school has its charm.
Sourcing Parts
Next, I looked into buying parts. There are tons of places selling replica parts. I found one site called Temu that seemed to have everything, but the quality was a gamble. They talked about free shipping for new users and free returns. But could I trust them? I decided to order some small, cheap parts first, just to test the waters. No need to go all-in yet.
Another site called Faire had a bunch of wholesale stuff. It seemed more legit, with reviews and ratings. They even offered free returns on the first order. I thought, why not? I ordered a few bezels and some other parts. Some had good reviews, some not so much. It was a bit of a gamble, but hey, that’s part of the fun.
I also saw some sites offering 15-30% discounts and official guarantees. That sounded promising, but I was still skeptical. I mean, who gives a real guarantee on fake parts?
Putting it Together
Once I got some parts, the real work began. I spent days trying to put things together. It was tough. Those tiny parts are a pain to handle. I tried to get the numbers on the bezel just right, close to the edge but not too close. I used a magnifying glass, tweezers, and a lot of patience. It felt like doing surgery, but on a watch.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally had something that looked like a Rolex GMT-Master II with a Pepsi bezel. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. I even tried the UV light thing, but I couldn’t get it to work quite right. Maybe that’s something for next time.
In the end, it was a fun project. I learned a lot about watches, about details, and about patience. Would I do it again? Probably. Would I wear it and try to pass it off as real? Nah. It’s more of a trophy of my tinkering skills. It sits on my desk, a reminder of this crazy little adventure.
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