Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Rolex GMT-Master II, specifically the “Root Beer” bezel one, for a while now. But man, those wait times are insane! We’re talking 1 to 3 years, sometimes even longer for the special editions. I even heard the regular Datejust models can take like 6 to 18 months. And the Oyster Perpetual? Forget it, 8 to 12 months on average.
So, I started thinking, what if I try to find a good fake one? Not to pass it off as real, but just to get that look and feel without waiting half my life or selling a kidney.
First, I did some digging online. I read that the original Root Beer, the 16713 GMT-Master II, stopped being made in 2006. Discontinued! That’s a bummer. Then I found out how to spot a fake – check for a unique serial number on the case, and pay attention to how the bezel rotates and its color. Good to know, I guess.
Then I went down the rabbit hole of reading reviews on Amazon, stumbled upon this American brand called Stuhrling, they have a lot of different watches models, the price is cheap, and the design is similar to Rolex, but they also have their own design. This may be a good choice, but I still want to find a better one.
The Experiment Begins
- Step 1: Scouring the Internet. I spent hours, maybe even days, looking at different online stores. There are a ton out there, let me tell you. I learned from the experts on the internet that there are many fake versions of Rolex watches on the market. They have almost the same appearance and function, but the cost of materials and labor is much lower, so the price is very cheap.
- Step 2: Narrowing it Down. I finally found one that looked pretty darn close to the real deal, a website that specializes in selling fake watches. The pictures were high quality, and the description was detailed. I decided to do more research on this website. It turned out that this was a very well-known website, and I was lucky.
- Step 3: Taking the Plunge. I decided to go for it. I placed the order, paid with my credit card. It felt a little risky, not gonna lie.
- Step 4: The Waiting Game. Now came the hard part – waiting for it to arrive. It took about two weeks, which felt like an eternity. I was constantly checking the tracking information. I contacted customer service several times during this period and received responses quickly. The customer service attitude was very good. I was very satisfied with this.
- Step 5: The Unboxing. Finally, the day arrived! The package was discreet, which was a relief. I ripped it open, and there it was.
My first impression? Not bad, not bad at all. The watch felt heavy, just like I imagine a real Rolex would. The bezel had that two-tone brown and black “Root Beer” look, and it clicked nicely when I rotated it. The date window even had that little magnifying bubble thingy.
I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks now, and honestly, I’m pretty happy with it. It keeps time well, it looks good on my wrist, and I haven’t had any issues. I also compared it with my friend’s real root beer. Although there are still some differences in the details, it is difficult to distinguish the authenticity if I don’t look carefully.
Is it a real Rolex? Of course not. But does it give me that GMT-Master II vibe without the crazy price tag or wait time? You bet. This little experiment turned out better than I expected. Maybe someday I’ll get the real thing, but for now, this fake is doing just fine.
Click to consult