Alright, let me tell you about this little project I got myself into. I’ve been eyeing those two-tone Rolex Submariners for a while now, they just look so damn classy. But, man, those prices are a real kick in the teeth. So, what’s a guy to do? I decided to try and make my own “homage” version, a high imitation, if you will. Specifically, I went for the black and gold one, just because I think it looks really slick.
First things first, I needed to source the parts. This was a whole adventure in itself. I spent hours digging through online forums and marketplaces, trying to find the best bang for my buck. You wouldn’t believe the stuff I came across. Finally, I settled on a few different suppliers that seemed reputable enough, even though reviews were mixed. The suspense of whether I was going to get scammed or not was half the fun, though.
Here’s a basic rundown of what I snagged:
- Case and Bracelet: I found a decent stainless steel case with a black ceramic bezel insert. The bracelet was also steel, with some gold-plated center links. It wasn’t real gold, obviously, but it looked the part, at least in the pictures.
- Dial: This was tricky. I wanted that glossy black look, not the sunburst one, just personal preference, you know? After hunting around, I managed to find one that looked pretty close to the real deal, complete with the Rolex-style markers and logo.
- Movement: I didn’t go crazy here. I picked up a reliable automatic movement, nothing fancy. A lot of the guides online were saying the Caliber 1575 movement is the way to go, but I didn’t want to spend that much on a movement. I just wanted something that would keep time and not conk out after a week.
- Hands: Got a set of gold-colored hands that matched the markers on the dial. Nothing too special, but they had to be the right size and shape.
Once everything arrived, I set up my little “workshop” on my kitchen table and put on my reading glasses. Let me tell you, working with these tiny parts is not as easy as it looks in those YouTube videos. I started by assembling the movement into the case. It took some fiddling, and I definitely dropped a few screws, but eventually, I got it in there.
Next up was the dial. This was a bit nerve-wracking because I didn’t want to scratch it. I carefully placed it onto the movement and secured it. Then came the hands. Man, those things are tiny! I used some tweezers and a whole lot of patience to get them on. I messed up a couple of times and had to redo it, which was a pain, but I figured it out.
Finally, I attached the bracelet to the case. This part was relatively straightforward, thank goodness. Once it was all together, I wound it up, set the time, and there it was – my very own “Rolex” Submariner.
Now, does it look exactly like a real one? Of course not. A trained eye could probably spot the differences in a heartbeat. The gold plating isn’t as good, the movement isn’t a genuine Rolex movement, and there are probably a bunch of other little details that are off. But to me, it looks pretty darn good. It’s got that classic Submariner vibe, and it’s a fun conversation starter. Plus, I built it myself, which gives it a bit of sentimental value. It actually looks great with most of my outfits.
Would I recommend doing this to someone else? Well, it depends. If you’re looking for a cheap watch that looks like a Rolex, and you enjoy tinkering, then go for it. It’s a fun project, and you’ll learn a thing or two about watches. But if you’re expecting to fool anyone into thinking it’s the real deal, or you’re not comfortable working with tiny parts, then maybe it’s not for you. As for me, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s not a real Rolex, but it’s my Rolex, and that’s good enough for me.
Some guides out there will give you really in-depth steps on telling real from fake, and maybe I should have paid more attention. But honestly, where’s the fun in that? I was more into the building process than making a perfect replica. Just make sure you are buying from a place that lets you combine orders into one package, that way you save on some shipping.
My Two Cents
I read somewhere that the two-tone models don’t hold their value as well as the all-steel ones, and they can cost you an arm and a leg. Probably true, but hey, mine didn’t cost me anywhere near that, so I’m not worried. I learned that the really rare ones, like the ref. 5517, are based on the ref. 5513 cases, but again, not something I cared too much about for this project.
I’m no watch expert, but I had a blast putting this thing together. It’s not about passing it off as real; it’s about the experience and having something unique that I made with my own two hands.
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