15 Best Affordable Rolex Alternative Watches



Citizen Promaster


The Citizen pays homage to the classic Rolex Submariner without any obviousattempts at imitation. It features a sporty rubber strap secured by a standardbuckle.The Citizen is powered by the famous Eco-Drive Japanese quartz movement, whichtakes its power from exposure to light, never needing a battery replacement.The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster has a 3 o’ clock date window, a unidirectionalbezel and checks the ‘real dive watch’ box with its 200m water resistancerating. A blue dial variant is available in the Citzen Eco-Drive PromasterBN0191-55L.Model: BN0190-07EMovement: Eco-DriveEngine: Citizen Caliber Eco-Drive E168Band: Rubber StrapCase Size: 45 mmWater Resistance: 200 meters / 660 feetBUY FOR $174.99* *At time of publication

Tudor Black Bay


Some might refer to the Tudor Black Bay as the ultimate Rolex Submarineralternative. The Tudor brand was in fact started by Hans Wilsdorf, the founderof Rolex, as a line that his agents could sell alongside Rolex watches at amore affordable price point.With a 41mm case, the Black Bay is slightly wider than the Submariner, butretains the same overall Oyster form. The Tudor’s dial is strikingly similarto the Submariner, although the snowflake hands give this dive watch a uniquelook of its own.Much like the Submariner, the Black Bay Heritage uses an in-house automaticSwiss movement.Model: 79230NMovement: AutomaticEngine: Tudor Calibre MT5602Band: “Rivet” Steel BraceletCase Size: 41 mmWater Resistance: 200 meters / 660 feetBUY FOR $3,195.00* *At time of publication

Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional


Known as the Man on the Moon watch, the Omega Speedmaster was one of the firstwatches in space, and the only watch approved by NASA to be used on the Moon.Despite featuring a detailed chronograph, the Speedmaster still looks clean,and that means you can dress it up or down, depending on your preference.Just like the Submariner, the Speedmaster is a pretty popular watchnowadays—but, as with the Rolex, Omega has churned out a range differentmodels and editions over the years. That means that, while a 2016 model is agreat choice, you still have a serious back catalogue of pieces to choosefrom. You’ll need upwards of $5,250.

Omega Seamaster Professional


The Omega Seamaster Professional is an excellent alternative to the Submarineras it is undoubtedly the second most famous dive watch in existence. It canalso be bought for around a quarter of the price of the Rolex Submariner.Model: 212.30.41.20.01.003Movement: AutomaticEngine: Omega Calibre 2500Band: Stainless steel braceletCase Size: 41 mmWater Resistance: 300 meters / 1000 feetBUY FOR $2,749.00* *At time of publication

Rolex Submariner


Simply put, the Rolex Submariner is one of the most recognized watches of alltime. Although its design has been tweaked throughout its illustrious history,the Submariner is still a watch that many try to imitate.Because it’s the archetypal Rolex, Submariners are quite popular nowadays—forthose who have upwards of $7,000 to spare, that is. If you want a Submarinerthat stands out from the crowd, go for a Sea Dweller or No Date, which variesfrom the standard model. You can also change the straps, too, and putting aSubmariner on a fabric strap is a tried and tested look—just ask James Bond.If you’ve got some more time on your hands (excuse the pun), digging deep fora vintage model would also be a good idea.

Planet Ocean Key Features:


– Case Size: 39.5mm; 43.5mm– Materials: Stainless Steel; Sedna Gold; White Gold; Titanium; Black Ceramic;Brown Ceramic– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, Helium Escape Valve– Strap/Bracelet: Metal Bracelet; Rubber Strap; Leather Strap; NATO Strap– Retail Price: $6,450 – $104,700 (Approx.)Like Rolex, Omega is another brand with two different collections ofprofessional dive watches, and in the same way that the Sea-Dweller is thebigger and more capable brother to the Submariner, the Planet Ocean is thescaled-up version of the brand’s standard Seamaster Diver. With double thedepth rating and an even wider range of available configurations, the OmegaPlanet Ocean is priced above the normal Seamaster, yet you could still likelypurchase both a Planet Ocean and a Seamaster Diver 300M for less than theprice of the current Rolex Submariner on the pre-owned market.Not including the various chronograph and GMT variants, the Omega Planet Oceanis currently available in either a 39.5mm or a 43.5mm case and offered in awide range of different configurations including high-tech materials likecolored ceramic and even some ultra-lavish gem-set references crafted fromsolid 18k gold. Additionally, just like the standard Seamaster Diver, OmegaPlanet Ocean watches feature ceramic bezels, ceramic dials, METAS-certifiedMaster Chronometer movements, and manually-operated helium escape valves thatallow them to be used for saturation diving applications.

Royal Oak Offshore Diver Key Features:


– Case Size: 42mm– Materials: Stainless Steel; Pink Gold, White Gold– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds; Date Display– Strap/Bracelet: Rubber Strap– Retail Price: $22,800 – $59,100 (Approx.)Not all alternatives have to be more affordable, and if the Rolex Submariner’sprice and availability are not your greatest issues with owning one, then theAudemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver might just be your perfect Submarineralternative. With its octagonal case, and internal rotating timing bezel,there is zero chance of mistaking the AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver for anythingeven remotely related to a Submariner, yet both models are Swiss-made luxurydive watches that are capable of standing up to anything you can throw atthem.Just like the Rolex Submariner, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diveris water-resistant to 300 meters; however, all examples of the watch arefitted with integrated rubber straps instead of matching stainless steelbracelets. Additionally, while the Submariner features an external rotatingtiming bezel, the Offshore Diver features an internal one that is operated bythe secondary crown protruding from the side of the case at the 10 o’clocklocation. Overall, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver looks nothinglike a Rolex Submariner, but if it’s the core idea of the Submariner thatappeals to you (rather than anything to do with its design), than the APOffshore Diver might just be your perfect go-anywhere, do-anything sportswatch.32 Best Rolex Submariner Homage AlternativesIn the world of watches, the Rolex Submariner is truly a legend. With ahistory spanning over six decades, the Submariner has seen other designs comeand go, yet this classic Rolex has stood the test of time, remainingfashionable and functional throughout those sixty-something years, animpressive feat to say the least.”

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