I got this itch to get my hands on a special edition of the OMEGA Seamaster Railmaster, the one only sold at specialty stores. So, I figured, why not give it a shot and try copying one? Here’s how the whole thing went down.
First off, I started by scouring the internet, just looking at a bunch of pictures of this watch. I needed to get a really good look at every little detail, every angle, every marking. I spent hours just zooming in on photos, trying to memorize what it looked like. It was a real eye-strainer, let me tell you.
Then, I moved on to the next step: figuring out the materials. I knew the original was made with some fancy metals and had a particular kind of glass. I hit up a bunch of forums and watch enthusiast websites, trying to find out what people thought were good alternatives. It was a bit of a treasure hunt, but I eventually landed on a mix of stainless steel and sapphire crystal that seemed to do the trick.
Next came the really tricky part: finding a base watch to work with. I needed something that had a similar shape and size, something I could modify without too much hassle. I spent days looking at online marketplaces, comparing measurements, and reading reviews. Finally, I found a pretty decent-looking automatic watch that seemed like a good candidate. I ordered it and waited impatiently for it to arrive.
- Disassembling: Once the watch arrived, I carefully took it apart, piece by piece. It was like doing surgery, but on a watch. I used some tiny screwdrivers and tweezers and made sure to keep all the parts organized.
- Modifying: With the watch in pieces, I started on the modifications. I polished the case to get that shiny look, replaced the glass with the sapphire crystal, and even managed to swap out the dial for a custom-made one I designed. It was a lot of trial and error, and I definitely messed up a few times.
- Reassembling: After what felt like forever, I finally got all the modifications done. Now came the moment of truth: putting it all back together. I carefully reversed the disassembly process, making sure everything was aligned and working properly. It was nerve-wracking, but I managed to get it done.
In the end, I had something that looked surprisingly close to the real deal. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but it was pretty darn good for a DIY project. I wore it around for a few days, just to see how it felt, and honestly, I was pretty proud of myself. I even got a few compliments from people who thought it was a genuine OMEGA.
It was a fun and challenging project, and I learned a lot about watches in the process. I know it’s not the same as owning the real thing, but for a fraction of the price, I think I did alright.
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