Alright, guys, so I’ve been messing around with this Rolex GMT-Master II, the one with the “Pepsi” bezel, and I wanted to share what I’ve been up to. You know, just tinkering around, trying to get it as close to the real deal as possible. This isn’t about making a perfect fake, more like a fun project to see how good I could get it.
Getting Started
First off, I got my hands on a decent base model. It’s not an original Rolex, obviously, but it’s got the right look and feel for the most part. The real challenge, I figured, was going to be that iconic red and blue bezel. That’s where the magic happens, right?
The Bezel
Now, the bezel is tricky. I read somewhere that if you shine a UV light on a real Pepsi ceramic bezel, the whole thing glows red. Sounds cool, but I needed to figure out how to replicate that. I started by sourcing a replacement bezel that was supposed to be pretty close to the original. I found a few online, but man, the colors and fonts were all over the place. It’s crazy how much variation there is. It took some time, but I finally settled on one that seemed decent enough.
- Sourcing the Bezel: Spent hours online, comparing different bezels.
- Color Matching: Tried to match the red and blue as closely as possible to pictures of the real thing.
- Font Check: Paid close attention to the font, making sure it wasn’t too off.
The UV Test
Once I had the bezel, I wanted to see if I could get that red glow effect. I grabbed a UV light and gave it a shot. To my surprise, it actually worked! It wasn’t perfect, but the bezel did light up with a reddish hue under the UV light. Pretty neat, huh? I spent a good chunk of time adjusting the bezel, trying to get the colors to pop just right under the light.
Other Details
But it wasn’t just about the bezel. I also looked into other details, like the case and the dial. I stumbled upon this discontinued model, the 116718LN, which has a yellow gold case, a black ceramic bezel, and a green dial. I thought about incorporating some of those elements into my project, just to see how it would look. It’s all about experimenting and having fun, right?
Wrapping Up
So, that’s pretty much where I’m at with this project. It’s been a lot of trial and error, but I’m pretty happy with how it’s turning out. Again, this isn’t about creating a perfect replica, but more about the journey and the challenge of getting it as close as possible. It’s a fun hobby, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. If any of you guys are into this kind of stuff, I’d love to hear your thoughts and maybe swap some tips!
It’s all about the details, you know? And there’s something really satisfying about getting those little things right. The whole process has been a blast, and I’m already thinking about what I want to tweak next. Maybe I’ll try to find an even better bezel, or maybe I’ll mess around with the dial some more. Who knows! If you’ve got any suggestions, hit me up. I’m always open to new ideas.
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