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Best Fake Rolex Submariner GMT


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How did this project eventually go?

The GMT-MASTER does not have an independently adjustable GMT hand. Basically, it points straight-up at midnight and straight down at noon. The bezel is rotated to use that GMT hand to indicate the second time zone. (you can pull the GMT setting gear from an ETA to simulate this lack of function)

The GMT-MASTER II does have an independent GMT hand, which can be set. This allows three time zones to be possibly set.

The Rolex 1655 has the same movement as the GMT-MASTER and the bezel is fixed. Purpose was to indicate day and night while in the darkness of a cave. I worked on a (crappy) replica of a 1655 which had the "quick-set" GMT hand. I think the dial is way to busy and difficult to read as well, but that's another story...

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11 hours ago, Tudor said:

How did this project eventually go?

Sometime one can get an idea about another member horological activity looking at the last logging, in this case it was some three months ago.
While I hope the OP will comes back here, it also happens often that enthusiastic beginners do lose interest pretty quickly.

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Ouch, that's harsh.  It's going well.  Current challenge, frustrated with getting the correct diameter date dial. The date is off center in the window for the dial I have. I'll have to find one that is the right diameter and then shave/thin the one I have and find a way to glue it on perfectly centered.

I have been quiet here because I found a forum where guys focus on making Frankenstein watches "RWI".  Its' been an incredible resource for parts and input on fitting things together. These guys hotrod some crazy shit, it's awesome. There is one guy there "milk" who machines entire cases from scratch.  He makes a dead on early 60's-70's Rolex Master case.

Recent events/challenges

I overcame a challenge I had with my dial being ever so slightly to small for the case I have.  I don't have a lathe but I took an old watch dial I have and put it on a dremel cutting disk chuck and spun it in the dremel.  I then used a razor blade and the edge of a broken cutting wheel as lathe bits to make a custom spacer by cutting the brass disk. Worked great and I didn't add any thickness because it replaces the current dial spacer.Just has a larger OD

The dial I have doesn't have the correct pin placing for the movement I have.  So I just ordered and received a bunch of dial feet from England so I can put new ones in place.

Anyway, that's the update.

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assembled picture shows how spacer makes dial work with the cae I had. Black disk is the spacer I made from a brass dial by turning a dremel into a lathe.  I beat up the case nicely with acid and abrasion and a few hits so it looks 50 years old and saw some action.

Yes yes yes... I'll turn the R into a B so it's says "Bolex" like I promised.  I just wanted a real Role dial so the printing was spot on.

Screen Shot 2020-09-29 at 2.37.48 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-09-29 at 2.37.59 PM.png

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I presume you know that is the complete wrong case for the watch, right?

Not trying to be "that" guy, but you wanted accurate, and that is a case for a much newer sub or GMT.

What does the bezel for it look like? That case accommodates the ceramic bezel insert.

And it has a 703 (style) crown tube. I think the old GMT had a 5.3mm crown (24-530), and I don't think that'll work in those crown guards. The good news is that you can take a lot of meat off the case to get the vintage look- it's much harder to put it back on.

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Yes it's definitely wrong. I realized after I purchased it.  So I am just having fun challenging myself to make it work.  If I can get the internals to work I will have at it with a metal file and see what I can do as far as shaping.  Outcome doesn't matter it's just working on the skills.  if I totally botch it I'll find the right case.  Maybe get that guy Milk to make me one.

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