Okay, so, I’ve been eyeing the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman for a while now. I mean, who hasn’t? It’s a gorgeous watch, but that price tag? Ouch. It’s like, $16,847 or more online! For a watch! That’s just crazy.
So, I started looking around, you know, just browsing, to see if there was something similar out there that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg. I was digging through all sorts of stuff, forums, you name it.
I even checked out some reviews on Amazon, just to get some ideas. That’s where I saw the Timex Allied Three GMT. It’s not a Rolex, obviously, but it’s got a similar vibe with that blue and black bezel. Plus, people were saying good things about the quality, and the price was way more manageable. I thought, “Hey, maybe this is something I could actually try to get?”
Then, I got a little more serious. I wanted something that was a closer imitation, something that looked more like the real deal. I remembered reading about the Rolex GMT-Master II ref 126710, which came out in 2019. It was basically a newer version of the Batman. I found some used ones online, made in 2021 and it was still super expensive, although it’s a bit cheaper than a brand new one. This got me thinking, maybe I could actually make my own high imitation version.
I started hitting up all the watch parts suppliers I could find online. I was on a mission. I ordered a case that looked just like the Rolex one, got a bezel insert with that iconic blue and black color, and even found a decent movement that wouldn’t break the bank. The hands and dial were a bit trickier, but I managed to find some that were pretty close to the original.
Assembly
Putting it all together was, let me tell you, a real pain. It took me a few weekends, and there were definitely some moments where I thought I’d messed the whole thing up. I had to be super careful with those tiny screws and parts. But, you know what? Slowly but surely, it started to come together.
- First, I installed the movement into the case.
- Then, I carefully placed the dial on top of the movement.
- Next, I attached the hands, making sure they were aligned properly.
- Finally, I pressed the bezel insert into the bezel and attached it to the case.
And there it was. My very own, homemade, high-imitation Rolex GMT-Master II Batman. It wasn’t perfect, of course. There were a few little imperfections here and there, but man, it looked pretty darn good. And the best part? It didn’t cost me anywhere near $16,847! It was a challenge, for sure, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s not a real Rolex, but it scratches that itch, you know? And it’s a fun story to tell.
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