Alright, folks, gather ’round, let me tell you about this little project I got myself into. So, I’ve always been kinda fascinated by those fancy Rolex watches, especially the two-tone black Submariner. But let’s be real, who’s got that kind of cash lying around? Not me, that’s for sure. So, I thought, why not try to make a high imitation one myself? Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but I was determined to give it a shot.
First things first, I needed to gather some intel. I spent hours browsing online, reading articles, and watching videos. Some folks online said it was nearly impossible to tell a fake from a real one just from pictures, especially if you’re not an expert. But I wasn’t gonna let that discourage me. I dug deeper, looking for any tips or tricks I could find. I learned that Datejust and Submariner models are the most common ones that counterfeiters try to copy, interesting right?
Then, I started looking for parts. This was a whole new world for me. I hit up some online marketplaces, chatted with some sellers, and even found a few forums where people were discussing replica watches. I found someone that bought a two-tone blue Submariner from someone in Florida, he had the original Rolex boxes and booklets, but it turned out to be a fake one! So I got some ideas from his failure.
After a few weeks of searching, I managed to find all the parts I needed. I got a case, a movement, a dial, hands, a bezel, a bracelet – the whole shebang. The parts themselves weren’t that expensive, but finding ones that looked just right took some time. I also learned that if the minute hand is too long, that’s a sign it might be a fake one.
Once I had all the parts, it was time to put this thing together. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’m pretty handy. I watched a bunch of tutorials online and figured, how hard could it be? Famous last words, right? Let me tell you, it was way harder than it looked. Those little screws are tiny, and getting everything lined up just right was a real pain in the neck. I swear, I almost threw the whole thing across the room a couple of times. If your Rolex has fog on the inside of the glass, that could also be a sign that it’s a fake one.
But I kept at it, and after a few days of tinkering, I finally had something that resembled a Rolex Submariner. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. There were a few flaws here and there, but overall, I was pretty darn proud of myself. It actually looked pretty good, if I do say so myself. There are many devious techniques that counterfeiters use, we need to pay more attention to that.
My Findings
- The Dial: Getting the dial right was tough. The real ones have this specific texture and font that’s hard to replicate. Mine was close, but not quite there.
- The Movement: I used a decent automatic movement, but it’s definitely not the same as a genuine Rolex movement. It keeps time okay, but it’s not as smooth.
- The Bracelet: This was one of the easier parts to get right. I found a pretty good quality replica bracelet that felt solid and looked the part.
- The Bezel: The bezel was tricky. The real ones have this satisfying click when you rotate them. Mine clicked, but it wasn’t quite the same.
So, there you have it. My adventure in making a high imitation Rolex two-tone black Submariner. It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. Would I wear it out in public? Probably not. But it’s a cool little piece to have, and it’s a testament to what you can do with a little bit of determination and a whole lot of patience. I don’t need to worry about it because I’m not trying to sell it for authentic prices anyway.
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