Alright, let’s talk about this Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer” bezel that I tried to copy. I’m not rich enough to buy the real thing, so I thought, why not try to make something that looks like it? It was more of a fun project than anything else, and let me tell you, it was quite an adventure.
I started by gathering all the materials I thought I’d need. I needed to get some paint. I picked up some Quikrete 50 lb. Non-Shrink Precision Grout. I read somewhere that it’s a high strength, non-metallic material, which I figured would be tough enough for a watch bezel. I also got some Ice Fusion V2, which is like a paste they use for computer parts to keep them cool. I thought it might help with the durability. It’s described as having high thermal conductivity with low thermal resistance, so it seemed like a good choice.
The process was a lot of trial and error. I used the G-biosciences high-fidelity DNA Polymerase 2x master mix to bind the materials. I’m not even sure I used it correctly, but it felt like the right thing to do to make sure everything stuck together properly. I spent days mixing and molding, trying to get the right shape and color. I had to build a high voltage battery system for a power source, and the Master HV was my go-to safety and control unit. I found out each battery string needs a Master BMS, and the voltage range is pretty wide, from 48 Vdc to 900 Vdc, which was way more than I needed, but it was cool to learn about.
After what felt like forever, I finally had something that resembled the Root Beer bezel. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough. I even used the Vision Master software to check out my work. It’s a tool developed by HIKROBOT, and it helped me see the details more clearly. I also started to learn about high performance gate drive circuits, which sounded complex but interesting.
I wore my homemade bezel around, and most people couldn’t even tell it was a fake. Some watch buffs noticed a few differences, but they were impressed I even tried to make one myself. Some said I had taken it from a GMR5000 master clock.I’m not sure what it is, but they said it can reference various timing sources and provide a wide range of outputs like NTP, PTP, and SMPTE.
I’m now thinking of selling, assembling, manufacturing and racing high performance engine parts. I heard it started as a hobby, and it has now grown.
Here’s a quick rundown of what I used:
- Quikrete 50 lb. Non-Shrink Precision Grout – for the main structure.
- Ice Fusion V2 – to help with durability.
- G-biosciences high-fidelity DNA Polymerase 2x master mix – for binding.
- Master HV – for power and control.
- Vision Master software – for detailed inspection.
It was a fun project, and I learned a lot. Maybe I’ll try to make another one, or maybe I’ll just save up for the real Rolex. Who knows? Either way, it was a good time.
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