Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project. This time, I’ve been messing around with a high imitation Rolex GMT-Master II, the one with the “Pepsi” bezel. You know, the classic red and blue one? It’s a real looker, and I wanted to see how close these replicas can get to the real deal.
Getting Started
So, first things first, I got my hands on one of these high imitation pieces. I won’t drop any names or links, but let’s just say there are plenty of places online where you can find these. It wasn’t too hard, honestly. Once it arrived, I was pretty impressed by the initial look. It’s got some weight to it, and the colors on the bezel look vibrant, just like the genuine article. It is not bad for a first look.
Digging Deeper
Now, I’m no watch expert, but I’ve done my homework. I started by comparing it side-by-side with pictures and videos of the real Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi. The imitation does a decent job at first glance. The case size, the bracelet, even the cyclops lens over the date window—they all look pretty similar. The printing on the dial is quite clean, and the hands move smoothly.
But here’s where it gets interesting. I took a UV light to the watch. Real Rolexes have these hidden details that light up under UV, and guess what? This imitation has some of them too! It’s not a perfect match, but it’s closer than I expected. Then, I examined the bezel. On genuine Rolex, there is a very obvious “Bezel Lip”. The high imitation has it too. That is why I prefer it to the movement.
What I did next
- Checked the movement: I did not open up the back—I don’t have the right tools, and I didn’t want to mess it up. But even without looking inside, you can tell it’s not the same as the real thing. The second hand’s sweep isn’t as smooth, and the winding action feels a bit rough.
- Tested the GMT function: This is where these imitations usually fall short. I tried setting the second time zone, and it worked, sort of. It’s a bit fiddly, and it doesn’t feel as precise as I imagine the real one does. But hey, it does move independently, which is something.
- Wore it around: I wore the watch for a few days to see how it felt on the wrist. It’s comfortable enough, and it kept time okay—not perfect, but not terribly off either. I even got a couple of compliments from people who didn’t know it was a fake.
Wrapping Up
So, what’s the verdict? These high imitation Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi watches are getting scary good. They’re not perfect, of course, but they nail the look and feel pretty well. If you’re just after the style and don’t want to drop a fortune on a real one, these imitations might be worth considering. Just don’t expect it to be an exact replica or to fool any serious watch enthusiasts.
That’s it for this project. It was a fun little experiment, and I hope you guys found it interesting. Let me know what you think in the comments, and I’ll catch you all in the next one!
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