Man, I’ve been messing around with watches for a while now, and I’ve always wanted a Rolex Submariner. But those things are expensive! So, I decided to try my hand at making a high-imitation version myself. I went with the No-Date Black Submariner because it’s a classic, and I figured it would be a good challenge. Plus it looks really cool.
First thing I did was a ton of research. I mean, I looked at every picture of a real Submariner I could find online. I compared them side by side, trying to figure out the little details. I learned that these watches usually weigh around 130 grams, and that the two-tone ones have some gold on them. It is just on the middle links, the crown, and the bezel, but it is still there.
Finding the Parts
I needed to find the right parts. This was not easy, let me tell you. I spent hours looking for the best quality stuff. I wanted a case that was the right weight and size, and a movement that could at least keep time properly. The original movements are called Calibres 3230 and 3235, which are pretty fancy. They have these cool hour markers that glow in the dark, and the bezel only turns one way. And of course, these watches can go deep underwater, like 1,000 feet.
- Case: I found a decent stainless steel case that felt pretty solid. It wasn’t the exact same as the original, but it was close enough for my first try.
- Movement: I couldn’t find a replica of those Calibres, so I settled for a decent automatic movement. It’s not as fancy, but it works.
- Dial: This was tricky. I wanted that classic black dial with the white markers. I found one that looked pretty good, but the luminescent paint wasn’t as bright as the real deal.
- Bezel: I got a ceramic bezel insert that looked pretty accurate. It even had that unidirectional rotation, which is important for diving watches. The real Submariners have something called Cerachrom for the bezel, but I couldn’t find that.
- Bracelet: I found an Oyster-style bracelet that was also stainless steel. It felt a bit light compared to the real thing, but it looked the part.
Putting It Together
Putting it all together was a real pain. I had to be super careful not to scratch anything. I used some basic watchmaking tools I bought online. It took me a few days, but I finally got it assembled. But I was also very happy about that.
The Final Result
Honestly, it turned out better than I expected. It’s not perfect, but it looks pretty darn close to a real No-Date Black Submariner. The weight is a bit off, and the movement isn’t as smooth, but it keeps time well enough. I even wore it out a few times, and nobody seemed to notice it was a replica.
This project taught me a lot about watches and how much work goes into making them. It also made me appreciate the real Rolex Submariner even more. Maybe one day I’ll be able to afford the real thing, but for now, I’m pretty happy with my high-imitation version. It’s a fun project, and I learned a ton along the way.
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