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 the most famous and popular models of Rolex. However, not everyone is lucky enough to own a genuine 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 Rolex alternatives.
Why an alternative to the Rolex Submariner?
Watch lovers will surely agree: they would prefer to have an original Rolex Submariner in their collection. But there are some reasons, which speak for the search of alternative models:
The price of the Rolex Submariner
Whether you can and want to own a Rolex Submariner is often a matter of price. The list price for the Submariner Date is currently €8,000, while the version without a date display still costs a hefty €6,800. Of course, 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 so much money in a watch. Therefore, cheaper alternatives to the Rolex Submariner are especially sought after.
The availability of the Rolex Submariner
Even if the list price fits the budget, that doesn't mean you can buy a Rolex Submariner. This is because: the demand for the models is far greater than the supply from the manufacturer. Rolex produces fewer Submariners than there are potential buyers. So you have to accept long waiting periods or you have to go to the secondary market. There you can get hold of well preserved Rolex Submariner diving watches, but usually you have to pay much more than the list price.
The similarity of Rolex Submariner replicas.
If you're looking for alternatives to the Rolex due to the hefty prices and poor availability, you'll quickly discover that there are some really good replicas out there. These are amazingly close to the original in design and functionality, are often available directly from the manufacturer without waiting, and are also more affordable. Of course, there is hardly any model that is really 100% equal to the Rolex Submariner. However, the alternatives to the famous classic are so good that it is definitely worth taking a closer look.
Rolex Submariner Alternative Luxury Diver's Watches
We will now move on to some of the best Rolex Submariner Alternatives, all of which meet the most important criteria required of luxury watches. Throughout, these are high quality dive watches that are reminiscent or even extremely close to the Rolex Submariner in one way or another.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
We start directly with a watch that is in no way inferior to the Submariner, at least in terms of popularity. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, which already adorned the wrist of agent James Bond, is a world-class diving watch with a unidirectional rotating bezel and helium valve. As befits diving watches, Omega's model scores with water resistance to 300 meters and resistance to chlorine and sea water.
Characteristic of the timepiece is the wave pattern on the dial, by which the Omega Seamaster can be recognized at first glance. Among other options, the Dive Watch is available with a sporty and functional rubber strap that fits the wrist beautifully 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. At the same time, the chic sports watch is comparatively inexpensive and listed with the manufacturer for around €4,800. To get hold of the Toolwatch on the secondary market, you need some luck, because the demand is quite high. Nevertheless, with patience, you definitely have the opportunity to grab a bargain here and get an Omega that has less sought-after credentials, starting at around €3,500.
Tudor Black Bay
The Tudor Black Bay is often cited as an alternative to the Rolex Submariner as well as the GMT Master II. We are dealing with a highly functional dive watch with a 70-hour power reserve and water resistance to 200 meters. At the heart of the Tudor (Heritage) Black Bay is a reliable manufacture caliber.
Particularly popular is the Tudor Black Bay 58, a slightly more delicate version of the model with matte black dial and distinctive diagonal cut on the case. The watch impresses with retro "Submariner design" and the high quality that one is used to with watches from the house of Tudor. Meanwhile, the Tudor Black Bay (58), which was first introduced in 2012, is available in numerous versions, for example, in an extravagant bicolor variant as well as in silver, gold or stainless steel.
Compared with the Rolex Submariner - but also with the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M - the availability of the Tudor Black Bay on the open market is quite good. Thus, it is possible to acquire the sporty diver's watch for the fraction of the price of the Rolex. Often you can find excellently preserved Tudor Black Bay watches with popular reference, offered from 3,500 €.
Breitling Superocean
Breitling Superocean Heritage collection is a familiar name to every watch lover. It includes numerous references, which have made it to a certain fame all over the world, and has been delighting collectors since 1957. The Superocean diving watches withstand water up to 20 ATM and have everything the heart of a fan of sporty timepieces desires.
Visually, the Superocean Heritage models present themselves much more elegant and classic than is the case with Rolex Submariner watches. Instead of going for a thoroughly sporty design, Breitling opts for a successful combination of modern sportiness and classic elegance. The result is a classy toolwatch that perfectly complements both sports outfits and evening wear thanks to a variety of models.
Breitling Superocean is undoubtedly a luxury watch that you can see its high quality from a distance. Nevertheless, it is priced below 5,000 €, so it can be said with a clear conscience that it is first-class value for money. Depending on the model and the exact design of the diver's watch, it can be purchased for as little as approximately €4,300.
Glashütte Original SeaQ
With the SeaQ, the traditional company Original Glashütte presents a charming diver's watch that can withstand up to 20 bar and runs with a caliber 39-11 movement. The manufacture caliber offers 40 hours of power reserve and the option to stop seconds for precise measurement of dive time. Depending on the model, the watch is also available with an integrated date display.
In terms of design, the SeaQ Dive Watch is quite striking: large hands meet wide numerals and a Super-LumiNova coating ensures that readability under and above the water remains good in any lighting conditions. The modern diver's watch is combined with straps made of rubber, easy-care synthetic fabric or stainless steel. The noble domed Sapphire Crystal glass, which harmoniously covers the dials, perfectly rounds off the visually coherent look of the watch in the steel case.
Glashütte watches are comparable in price to the Rolex Submariner. Accordingly, this is not necessarily a much cheaper alternative, but a much more available one. The cost of the SeaQ ranges mostly between €7,500 and €11,000.
Tag Heuer Aquaracer
A unidirectional rotating bezel, a solid bracelet with diver's extension and water resistance to 30 ATM: the Tag Heuer Aquaracer is a diver's watch as they come. 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 precisely thought-out design elements. This also includes the luminescent 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 here.
The best thing about the high-quality Aquaracer Dive Watches is clearly their price: such a watch is available in the simplest version from about 1,500 € and thus 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 convinces with Water Resistance up to 300 meters and a discreetly incorporated 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.
Looking at the design of the Oris Aquis Date, the first thing you'll notice is the pronounced, thick hands and the visually striking 60-minute scaling. The steel case sets an elegant dial, which is sometimes finished in metallic blue and rich green. The models are available with straps made of stainless steel, rubber or leather, and the watches with the sporty rubber straps are especially popular.
The price of the Oris Aquis Date Watch is a real surprise: according to the list, the models start at €1,850, but on the secondary market attractive options are available starting at €1,500.
Rado Captain Cook
As a clearly lesser-known brand, you probably wouldn't have expected Rado on the list of alternatives to a Rolex Submariner. And yet, there is a watch in the range of the watch brand that we do not want to deprive our readers of at this point: the Captain Cook model.
This straightforwardly designed watch features 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 case made of sturdy steel and plain bracelets made of stainless steel or woven synthetic fiber, the Captain Cook exudes down-to-earth sportiness.
This watch is also a particularly affordable alternative to the Rolex Submariner. Those who opt for it will have to invest between €1,750 and €3,500, depending on the version.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Equipped with a precise automatic movement, a scratch-resistant steel case and chic luminous hands, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is recognizable at first glance as a functional toolwatch. The watch impresses with water resistance up to 300 meters and covers a wide range of tastes thanks to a variety of design options.
Classically, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is worn with a textile strap, which is incredibly durable and emphasizes the watch's sporty design. Coupled with dials in matte black or medium blue, this creates a no-frills timepiece for everyday wear.
Prices for the Toolwatch start at around €6,500, but quickly rise to €8,000 and up, depending on the references and number of complications.
Tudor Pelagos
A reliable automatic caliber, 38-hour power reserve and water resistance to 500 meters make the Tudor Pelagos a valuable companion on dives. Like many diving watches, the Pelagos model includes high-quality luminous material, which in this case is located on the hands and the indices.
The Tudor Dive Watch is made of sturdy titanium and classically features bezel and dial in plain black or eye-catching blue. In combination with a bracelet made of silver titanium or blue or black rubber, the overall image of a high-quality sports watch is created, which cuts a fine figure with any outfit.
The sought-after model from Tudor is priced well below the Rolex Submariner. On the secondary market, the luxury watches can be found from about €4,150.
Seiko Prospex Sea
The last watch in the bunch of Rolex alternatives that we want to introduce in this post is the Prospex Sea from Seiko. It brings with it a water resistance to 200 meters and is always easy to read thanks to luminous indices and hands.
The last watch in the group of Rolex alternatives that we would like to present in this article is the Prospex Sea from Seiko. It is water resistant to 200 meters and is always easy to read thanks to luminous indices and hands.
The Prospex Sea, which is sometimes available in some interesting limited editions, can be recognized 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 should win over fans of a thoroughly comfortable sporty look.
Compared to Rolex's Submariner, the Seiko Prospex Sea is a real bargain: Selected references are available on the open market starting at just under €1,000.
Conclusion about the Rolex Submariner alternative
The fact is: anyone who has fallen in love with the Rolex Submariner will not be 100% satisfied by any alternative. After all, the Rolex is an icon whose value cannot be weighed in money for the die-hard collector. Watch lovers, on the other hand, who are open to alternative diver's watches and would like to save their wallets, can find quite chic models at Breitling, Seiko, Tudor and Co. that have serious similarities to the Rolex Submariner.