Today, I finally decided to start on that Rolex Black Submariner project I’ve been thinking about. I’ve always been a fan of the classic style, but, you know, the real ones are a bit out of my price range. So, I thought, why not try making a high-quality replica myself?
I started by gathering all the information I could find online about Submariners. I learned that a genuine Submariner’s case is 40 millimeters in diameter, so I need to make sure the one I use is the same size. You know, every little detail matters when you’re trying to make something look authentic.
Then I focused on the hands of the watch. I found out that the minute hand on a real Submariner is short and doesn’t overlap the minute markers. This is something you could easily overlook if you weren’t paying close attention, so I made a mental note to get that right.
It’s crazy how hard it is to tell a real Rolex from a fake one just from pictures. Unless you’re a real expert, it’s almost impossible. I’ve realized that to do this right, I really need to get hands-on with the parts. So, the next step was ordering the materials.
Ordering the Materials
I went online and started hunting for the parts. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I found some reliable suppliers that had good reviews. I ordered:
- A 40mm watch case: It’s not a real Rolex case, of course, but it looks pretty close.
- Watch hands: I made sure to get a set where the minute hand was the correct length.
- A watch movement: This was the trickiest part. I’ve heard that even some experienced watchmakers have a hard time telling the difference between a real Rolex movement and some of these “super clone” movements. I just want something that looks good and will last me a while.
While waiting for the materials, I started looking into the process of actually assembling the watch. It looks complicated, but I’m determined to figure it out. I’ve watched a bunch of videos and read a few guides online. It seems like it’s going to take a lot of patience and a steady hand, but I’m excited about the challenge.
Assembly
The parts finally arrived! I was like a kid on Christmas morning, tearing open the packages to see what I’d gotten. Everything looked pretty good, though I won’t really know how good until I put it all together.
I laid everything out on my workbench, making sure I had all the tools I needed. Tiny screwdrivers, tweezers, a loupe – the whole nine yards. Then, I started following the instructions I’d found online.
The first step was attaching the movement to the case. It was fiddly work, but I managed to get it in there without breaking anything. Then came the hands. This was probably the most nerve-wracking part. Getting them aligned just right was a real pain. But after a few tries, I got them on there, and they looked pretty darn good.
The final step was putting the face on and closing up the case. I double-checked everything to make sure it was all lined up and secure. And then, there it was. My very own “Rolex” Submariner.
Finished and Wearing
I have to say, I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s not perfect, but it looks a heck of a lot like the real thing. I put it on my wrist, and it felt great. The weight, the look, the feel, it was all surprisingly close to what I imagine a real Submariner feels like.
I’ve been wearing it around for a few days now, and I’ve gotten a few compliments. Nobody’s asked me if it’s real yet, but I’m not trying to pass it off as authentic. I just wanted to see if I could make something that looked and felt like a high-quality watch, and I think I did it.
This whole project has been a lot of fun. It’s been a learning experience, and it’s given me a new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into making these things. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely a challenge, but it was a rewarding one.
Click to consult