Today I’m going to share my experience with making a high imitation of a Rolex No-Date Black Submariner. I’m not going to lie, getting this done wasn’t a walk in the park, but it was a fun project, and I learned a lot.
First things first, I had to gather all the necessary materials. The Submariner is a classic, you know? It’s got that clean look without the date window. I wanted to get as close to the original as possible, so I spent a good chunk of time researching. I found out that the original Rolex released ref. 114060 in 2012, and it was the first no-date Submariner to use the “Super Case” that Rolex started using in 2008.
After gathering all the information I needed, I started working on the case. I chose to work with materials that were close to the original but not exactly the same. I mean, the original is pretty pricey, and I was doing this for fun, not to break the bank. I shaped and polished the case, trying to get that “Super Case” look. It was tough, I won’t lie. A lot of trial and error, but I finally got it to a point where I was happy with it.
Building the Bezel and Crown
- Crafting the Bezel: Next up was the bezel. The original Submariner has a distinctive bezel, so I wanted to get this right. I used a two-tone approach, and the weight is about 130g, which is pretty similar to the original, as I found on some forums. It’s not gold like the originals but similar material, so the cost is reasonable.
- Designing the Crown: The crown was another challenge. I wanted it to look and feel like the original, so I spent a lot of time on the details. I made sure it was functional and looked good. I spent days on forums to ensure the look was right.
The dial was probably the most challenging part. I wanted it to be clean, without the date window, just like the no-date Submariner. I had to make sure the hour markers and hands were just right. It took a lot of patience and a steady hand, but I finally got it done. I really think getting the dial right is what makes or breaks the whole project.
Putting it all together was the most satisfying part. Seeing all the parts I had worked on come together was a great feeling. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but it was my version of a Rolex No-Date Black Submariner, and I was proud of it.
This whole project was a great learning experience. It was challenging, frustrating at times, but ultimately very rewarding. I learned a lot about watches, about craftsmanship, and about myself. Would I do it again? Probably. It’s the kind of project that gets under your skin. And who knows, maybe next time I’ll try a different model.
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