Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Rolex GMT-Master II for a while now, the one with the “Root Beer” bezel. It’s just so classic looking, you know? But the price tag, oh boy, it’s way out of my league. I saw one listed for like, $18,000! And apparently, the waitlist is like two years long, even if you do have that kind of cash. Depends on your relationship with the dealer and all that jazz.
So, I started looking into alternatives. I mean, the brown and gold bezel is the main thing I’m after. The specific model I like, the 16713, they stopped making it in 2006, it was stainless steel and yellow gold. I also found out that some of the current hottest Rolex are the Daytona 116500, the Submariner 116610, and the GMT-Master II 116710. They keep their value pretty well.
- I spent hours browsing online, looking for something that captures that same vibe.
- I stumbled upon this American brand, Stuhrling, and they had some decent-looking watches. Not quite the same, but hey, it’s a start.
The Search Begins
Then, I decided to get crafty. I figured, why not try to make my own “Root Beer” GMT? I mean, I’m not going to be passing it off as a real Rolex or anything. I just wanted something that looked cool on my wrist.
- First, I found a cheap base watch with a similar shape and a rotating bezel.
- Next, I ordered a custom-made bezel insert online. It was brown and gold, just like the Root Beer. The hardest part was finding the right size, but eventually, I got lucky.
- I found some videos about swapping out bezel inserts. They made it look way easier than it actually was!
The DIY Project
Let me tell you, it was a struggle. I scratched the watch a bit, and it took me forever to get the old bezel off. It was a real pain. But I didn’t give up! After a lot of cursing and a few close calls, I finally managed to snap the new bezel insert in place.
- It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out!
- It definitely has that Root Beer look I was going for. I even found a two-tone bracelet that matches pretty well.
The Result
Honestly, it was more about the process and the satisfaction of making something myself. And you know what? I get compliments on it all the time! People are always asking me about it. It’s a fun conversation starter. Of course, I always tell them it’s not a real Rolex, but they still think it’s cool. It’s my little “Frankenwatch,” and I love it. It is not a 100% perfect replica, but it looks pretty good on my wrist. I’m even thinking about trying to mod another watch. Maybe a Submariner homage next time! I’ve really got the bug now!
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