Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project. I’ve been itching to get my hands on a Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi Bezel for a while now. You know, the one with the classic red and blue bezel? Yeah, that’s the one. But the real deal is way out of my budget, I mean, we’re talking about some serious money here, like starting at $37,326.80, or even $19,155 to $26 for a pre-owned one, so I decided to make my own. High imitation, of course.
Starting from scratch
First things first, I needed to gather all the parts. I started with a stainless steel case and a stainless steel Rolex jubilee bracelet, because that’s what gives it that classic look. I found these online after a bit of searching. The trickiest part was the bezel. I needed a bi-directional rotating stainless steel bezel with a blue and red (Pepsi) ring. I managed to find a replica that looked pretty darn close to the original.
Dial and Hands
Next up was the dial. I went for a black dial with luminous silver markers, just like the real Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO. It wasn’t easy, but I found a replica dial that was almost identical. The hands were another challenge, the GMT-Master II has that additional 24-hour hand, combining a two-colour rotatable bezel. I made sure to get a set that matched the original design.
Movement
Now, for the heart of the watch, the movement. The real Pepsi GMT-Master II models are powered by the same Cal. 3285 movement. I obviously couldn’t get my hands on that, so I opted for a decent automatic movement that would keep time accurately. It’s not the same, but it does the job.
Assembly
Putting it all together was the most satisfying part. I carefully assembled the case, bracelet, bezel, dial, and hands, making sure everything fit perfectly. It was like putting together a complex puzzle, but way more rewarding. It took me a few tries to get it right, but in the end, it all came together.
Finishing Touches
After months of hard working, I added the finishing touches, like the grey and black ceramic 24-hour graduated two-colour Cerachrom bezel insert. It’s not the real deal, but it looks incredibly similar. I polished the case and bracelet to give it that shiny, new watch look.
The Result
And there you have it! My very own high imitation Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi Bezel. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It looks great on my wrist, and most people can’t even tell it’s not the real thing, it is a highly coveted luxury watch. Plus, I saved a ton of money by making it myself.
Final Thoughts
This project was a lot of fun, and I learned a ton about watches in the process. If you’re a watch enthusiast on a budget, I highly recommend giving something like this a try. It’s a great way to get the look you want without breaking the bank. I really like the jubilee-GMT pairing. Just be prepared to put in some time and effort, and don’t expect it to be exactly like the original, but hey, close enough is good enough for me!
What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments!
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