So, I’ve always been into those fancy watches, you know, the ones that look like they cost a fortune. Especially that Rolex GMT-Master II with the “Root Beer” bezel. It’s got this cool, old-school vibe that I really dig.
About a month ago, I finally got my hands on a GMT-Master II. It’s steel and everose gold, with a black and brown ceramic bezel. Looks pretty slick, if I do say so myself.
But here’s the kicker – I stumbled upon this online store selling high imitation watches. And guess what? They had the “Root Beer” GMT-Master II, and it looked almost exactly like the real deal. I mean, the bracelet looked decent in the pictures, the bezel colors were spot on. It was tempting, to say the least.
I did some digging, and apparently, these high imitation watches can be pretty convincing. The bezel and crystal on this one were in perfect condition. I saw a picture of the card, it was dated 2023 and showed little to no wear. They even had the nerve to slap “ROLEX GMT MASTER II” on it. And the seller? Some company called “TopNotch Watch LLC”, claiming they’re not affiliated with Rolex, haha.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Sounds fancy, don’t it?” Yeah, it does. But at the end of the day, it’s just a watch, like any other, only it looks like a million bucks. But the thing is, you don’t actually have to spend a million to get it. That’s the whole point of these high imitation things, right?
How to Spot a Fake?
I did some more research, just out of curiosity. Turns out, there are ways to spot a fake Rolex GMT-Master II. You gotta check the case for a unique serial number, examine the bezel’s rotation, color, and alignment. Inspect the bracelet and clasp for detailed engravings. And apparently, the movement should show a distinct “jump” of the hour hand when adjusted.
I even found this video about a discontinued model, the Rolex GMT Master II, reference 116718LN. It’s got a yellow gold case, a full black ceramic bezel, and a green dial. Looks pretty fancy, but not exactly my style.
Anyway, I’m still rocking my legit GMT-Master II, but it’s interesting to see how good these imitations have gotten. Makes you think twice about dropping a ton of cash on the real thing, doesn’t it?
- Started by admiring the Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer” from afar.
- Got my hands on a real GMT-Master II in steel and everose gold.
- Discovered a high imitation “Root Beer” online that looked incredibly similar.
- Investigated the quality and details of the imitation, finding it surprisingly accurate.
- Learned about the tells of a fake Rolex, including serial numbers, bezel details, and movement.
- Compared the imitation to a real, discontinued model for reference.
- Ended up appreciating my authentic watch even more, but also acknowledged the allure of high-quality imitations.
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