Okay, so I’ve been messing around with watches lately, and let me tell you, it’s a rabbit hole. I got this idea to try and replicate one of those fancy Rolex Submariners, specifically the two-tone blue one – they call it the “Bluesy.” Seemed like a fun project, right?
First thing I did was to hit up the internet, just browsing around, you know? Ended up checking out a bunch of places that sell replicas, looked at the prices, compared stuff. Places like Amazon had some, but I also found a few other sites that seemed a little more specialized in this stuff.
I spent days, maybe even weeks, just looking at pictures, reading descriptions, trying to figure out what makes a good fake. I noticed some of them were crazy expensive, almost like the real thing, while others were dirt cheap. It was tough to tell what was worth it and what was just junk.
Finding the Parts
Then, the real work started. I decided I wanted to build this thing from scratch, so I started hunting for parts. It turns out, there’s a whole market for individual watch parts – cases, dials, movements, you name it. I ended up ordering a bunch of stuff from different places, trying to find the best quality for a decent price. I even got some two-tone watch bracelets, gold-plated stuff, to give it that authentic look. But I chose the one made of steel, but with some gold on it. I think it’s only like 1/5th gold on the middle links and the crown. It feels pretty heavy when I held it, probably around 130g.
Putting It Together
Once I had all the pieces, it was time to put this thing together. Now, I’m no watchmaker, but I’ve always been pretty good with my hands. I watched a few videos online, got some basic tools, and just went for it. It was way harder than I thought it would be! Those tiny screws, the delicate hands, it was a real test of patience. I had a few close calls and thought I’d ruined some expensive parts, but after a few days of work, I finally got it assembled. But it was worth it. It looked almost exactly like a real Rolex Submariner, but with a blue dial, or “Bluesy” as they call it. I even managed to get it water-resistant, so I could wear it in the shower or while swimming. All in all, I’m pretty proud of how it turned out.
The Result
Honestly, the finished product looks pretty darn good. It’s not perfect, but it definitely has that “Bluesy” vibe. I’ve been wearing it around, and people have actually asked me if it’s a real Rolex. Of course, I tell them the truth – it’s a project I put together myself. It’s a conversation starter, for sure.
I learned a lot from this whole experience. It’s not just about having a cool-looking watch, it’s about the process, the challenge, and the satisfaction of building something with your own hands. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but it was definitely a fun ride. And who knows, maybe this will be a good investment. I heard that some of these watches get more valuable over time if you take good care of them. I guess we’ll see!