Rolex Submariner Alternative

For many watch fans, the Rolex Submariner is the epitome of a high-quality diving watch. The diving watch icon of the brand, which was founded by Hans Wilsdorf, went down in history and is still one of Rolex's most famous and popular models. But not everyone is lucky enough to own a real Rolex Submariner. In this article, we look at alternatives to the Rolex Submariner and take a look at ten quality watches that could be considered as a Rolex alternative.

Why an alternative to the Rolex Submariner?

Watch lovers certainly agree: they would love to have an original Rolex Submariner in their collection. But there are a few reasons why people should look for alternative models:

The price of the Rolex Submariner

Whether you can and want to own a Rolex Submariner is often a question of price. The list price for the Submariner Date is currently €8,000, the version without a date display still costs a whopping €6,800. Of course, the quality, functionality and, not least, the reputation of the Rolex brand justify the price of the watch. Nevertheless, of course, not everyone is able to invest that much money in a watch. That is why cheaper alternatives to the Rolex Submariner are particularly popular.

The availability of the Rolex Submariner

Even if the list price fits into your budget, that doesn't mean that you can buy a Rolex Submariner. The demand for the models is far greater than the manufacturer's supply. Rolex produces fewer Submariners than there are buyers with purchasing power. You are therefore forced to accept long waiting times or turn to the secondary market. There you can get hold of well-preserved Rolex Submariner diving watches, but you usually have to pay significantly more than the list price.

The similarity of Rolex Submariner replicas

Anyone looking for alternatives to the Rolex due to the high prices and poor availability will quickly find that there are some really good replicas. These are astonishingly close to the original in terms of design and functionality, are often available directly from the manufacturer without any waiting time and are also more affordable. Of course, there is hardly a model that is 100% on par with the Rolex Submariner. But the alternatives to the famous classic are so good that it is definitely worth taking a closer look.

Rolex Submariner Alternative Luxury Diving Watches

We will now talk about some of the best Rolex Submariner alternatives, all of which meet the most important criteria for luxury watches. They are all high-quality dive watches that are reminiscent of the Rolex Submariner in one way or another or are even extremely close to it.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

We start with a watch that is in no way inferior to the Submariner, at least in terms of popularity. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, which has already adorned the wrist of agent James Bond, is a world-class diving watch with a unidirectional rotating bezel and helium valve. As befits a diving watch, the Omega model scores with water resistance up to 300 m and resistance to chlorine and sea water.

The timepiece is characterized by the wave pattern on the dial, which makes the Omega Seamaster instantly recognizable. The Dive Watch is available with a sporty, functional rubber strap, among other things, which fits wonderfully on the wrist and looks extremely modern.

Similar in diameter, functionality and diving depth, the Omega Seamaster Diver is an excellent alternative to a Rolex watch for divers. The stylish sports watch is comparatively inexpensive and is listed by the manufacturer for around €4,800. You need a bit of luck to get hold of the tool watch on the secondary market, as demand is quite high. Nevertheless, with patience you have the opportunity to get a bargain and get an Omega with less sought-after references for around €3,500.

Tudor Black Bay

The Tudor Black Bay is often cited as an alternative to the Rolex Submariner and the GMT Master II. We are dealing with a highly functional dive watch with a 70-hour power reserve and water resistance to 200 m. The heart of the Tudor (Heritage) Black Bay is a reliable in-house caliber.

The Tudor Black Bay 58 is particularly popular, a slightly more delicate version of the model with a matte black dial and a striking diagonal cut on the case. The watch impresses with its retro "Submariner design" and the high quality that one has come to expect from watches from Tudor. The Tudor Black Bay (58), which was first introduced in 2012, is now available in numerous versions, for example in an extravagant bicolor version as well as in silver, gold or stainless steel.

Compared to the Rolex Submariner - but also to the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M - the availability of the Tudor Black Bay on the open market is quite good. It is possible to purchase the sporty diving watch for a fraction of the price of the Rolex. You can often find excellently preserved Tudor Black Bay watches with a popular reference priced from €3,500.

Breitling Superocean

The Breitling Superocean Heritage collection is a household name for every watch lover. It includes numerous references that have made it famous all over the world and has delighted collectors since 1957. The Superocean diving watches are water resistant up to 20 ATM and have everything a fan of sporty timepieces could wish for.

Visually, the Superocean Heritage models are much more elegant and classic than Rolex Submariner watches. Instead of relying on a thoroughly sporty design, Breitling opted for a successful combination of modern sportiness and classic elegance. The result is a classy tool watch that, thanks to its wide range of models, perfectly complements both sports outfits and evening wear.

The Breitling Superocean is undoubtedly a luxury watch, and its high quality is evident from afar. Despite this, it is priced at under €5,000, so you can confidently say it offers first-class value for money. Depending on the model and exact design of the diving watch, it can be purchased for as little as €4,300.

Glashütte Original SeaQ

With the SeaQ, the traditional company Original Glashütte presents a charming diving watch that can withstand pressures of up to 20 bar and runs on a 39-11 caliber movement. The in-house caliber offers a 40-hour power reserve and the option of a stop-second function for precise measurement of diving time. Depending on the model, the watch is also available with an integrated date display.

The SeaQ Dive Watch is quite striking in its design: large hands meet wide numbers and a Super-LumiNova coating ensures that the watch remains easy to read under and above the water in all lighting conditions. The modern diving watch is combined with straps made of rubber, easy-care synthetic fabric or stainless steel. The elegantly domed sapphire crystal glass, which harmoniously covers the dials, perfectly rounds off the visually harmonious look of the watch in the steel case.

Glashütte watches are comparable in price to the Rolex Submariner. Accordingly, this is not necessarily a significantly cheaper alternative, but it is a much more readily available one. The cost of the SeaQ is generally between €7,500 and €11,000.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer

A unidirectional rotating bezel, a solid bracelet with a diver's extension and water resistance up to 30 ATM: the Tag Heuer Aquaracer is a diver's watch like the ones you read about in books. A safety clasp and double seals in the crown ensure maximum safety during adventures below sea level.

The typical feature of the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Watch is the octagonal bezel. This gives the watch a very special look and fits perfectly with the other carefully thought-out design elements. This also includes the luminous indices and hands, which give the model an even sportier touch. Newer diving watches from the Aquaracer series also come with a special detail: the silhouette of a diver is engraved on the back of the case.

The best thing about the high-quality Aquaracer Dive Watches is clearly their price: such a watch is available in the simplest version from around €1,500 and is therefore an absolutely affordable alternative to the Submariner from Rolex.

Oris Aquis Date

Another item that must be mentioned among the alternatives to the Rolex Submariner is the Oris Aquis Date. Technically, this watch impresses with its water resistance up to 300 m and a discreetly integrated date display at the 6 o'clock point. So we are dealing with a highly functional diving watch that has what it takes to keep up with an icon like the Rolex Submariner.

When you look at the design of the Oris Aquis Date, the first thing you notice are the distinctive, thick hands and the visually striking 60-minute scale. The steel case houses an elegant dial, which is sometimes made in metallic blue and rich green. The models are available with straps made of stainless steel, rubber or leather, with the watches with the sporty rubber straps being particularly popular.

The price of the Oris Aquis Date Watch is a real surprise: according to the list, the models start at €1,850, and attractive options are available on the secondary market starting at €1,500.

Rado Captain Cook

As a much lesser-known brand, you probably wouldn't have expected Rado to be on the list of alternatives to a Rolex Submariner. And yet the brand's range includes a watch that we don't want to withhold from our readers at this point: the Captain Cook model.

This watch with its straightforward design is characterized by an 80-hour power reserve and is now available in various color variants, for example with a dial and bezel in navy blue, green, black or red. With its robust steel case and simple stainless steel or woven synthetic fiber straps, the Captain Cook exudes down-to-earth sportiness.

This watch is also a particularly affordable alternative to the Rolex Submariner. Those who choose it will have to invest between €1,750 and €3,500, depending on the model.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms

Equipped with a precise automatic movement, a scratch-resistant steel case and stylish luminous hands, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is immediately recognizable as a functional tool watch. The watch is water-resistant to 300 m and covers a wide range of tastes thanks to its diverse design options.

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is traditionally worn with a textile strap that is incredibly durable and underlines the sporty design of the watch. Combined with dials in matte black or medium blue, this creates a no-frills timepiece for everyday use.

Prices for the Toolwatch start at around €6,500, but quickly rise to €8,000 and more depending on the references and number of complications.

Tudor Pelagos

A reliable automatic caliber, 38-hour power reserve and water resistance up to 500 m make the Tudor Pelagos a valuable companion on dives. Like many diving watches, the Pelagos model also contains high-quality luminous material, which in this case is found on the hands and indices.

The Tudor Dive Watch is made of sturdy titanium and has a classic bezel and dial in plain black or striking blue. Combined with a strap made of silver titanium or blue or black rubber, the overall impression is of a high-quality sports watch that looks good with any outfit.

The popular model from Tudor is priced significantly lower than the Rolex Submariner. The luxury watches can be found on the secondary market starting at around €4,150.

Seiko Prospex Sea

The last watch in the group of Rolex alternatives that we want to introduce in this article is the Prospex Sea by Seiko . It is water resistant to 200 m and is always easy to read thanks to luminous indices and hands.

The Prospex Sea, which is available in some interesting limited editions, is recognizable by its solid steel case and clearly designed dials. The watch is available with textile straps as well as stainless steel or rubber bracelets and is likely to appeal especially to fans of a thoroughly comfortable, sporty look.

Compared to the Rolex Submariner, the Seiko Prospex Sea is a real bargain: selected references are available on the open market from just under €1,000.

Conclusion on the Rolex Submariner Alternative

The fact is: If you've fallen in love with the Rolex Submariner, no alternative will satisfy you 100%. After all, the Rolex is an icon whose value cannot be measured in money for the die-hard collector. Watch lovers who are open to alternative diving watches and want to save money can find some very stylish models from Breitling, Seiko, Tudor and others that have strong similarities to the Rolex Submariner.