The Best Rolex Alternatives

Finding alternatives to Rolex watches has always been a popular subject; chalk it up to prices, accessibility, or perhaps just wanting something different than what the largest luxury watchmaking in existence makes. While we can’t deny that Rolex makes excellent watches with designs that appeal to so many, it can get a little dull if you walk into a room and everyone else is wearing the same watch as you. With that in mind, we’ll help you find the best Rolex alternative from each category. We’ll cover the classic Day-Date, Datejust, and Oyster Perpetual watches as well as the sporty Daytona, Submariner, GMT-Master, and Explorer models. Keep in mind that these are not necessarily cheaper Rolex alternatives; some are even more expensive than the Crown’s offerings. This exercise is not about lower prices but rather, it’s focused on aesthetics and functions that are similar to Rolex models, available from other luxury watch brands.

Rolex Daytona Alternative – Zenith Chronomaster Sport

The market is filled with top-notch chronographs, plenty of which are solid alternatives to the Rolex Daytona. Our top pick, however, is the Zenith Chronomaster Sport, which shares more than a few similarities with Rolex’s famed chronograph — including an El Primero movement similar to the ones Rolex Daytona watches from 1988 to 2000 relied on.

From the black ceramic tachymeter bezel to the tri-compax Panda dial and stainless steel three-link pushers, you wouldn’t be faulted for mistaking the Zenith Chronomaster Sport for a Rolex Daytona at first glance. Zenith’s offering is slightly larger at 41mm and includes a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Price-wise, the stainless steel Zenith Chronomaster Sport retails for $11,300 whereas the steel Daytona retails for $15,100. The difference in cost is even more exaggerated on the pre-owned market with Daytonas selling well above their retail prices.

Rolex Submariner Alternative – TAG Heuer Aquaracer

The diving watch is another beloved watch type, and the Rolex Submariner is often regarded as the king of them all. Offering a design blueprint that’s remained relatively unchanged over the last 70-plus years (while also updated with the newest materials and tech), the Submariner has invariably enticed plenty of look-alikes to join the party.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300M Date is one of the most solid Submariner alternatives out there, even offered in similar Rolex colorways like black, green, and blue. TAG Heuer‘s design even includes a Cyclops-like magnifying lens above its date window, albeit at a different position than Rolex’s Sub. The Aquaracer Professional 300M Date pictured here includes a 42mm steel case water resistant to 300 meters, a green ceramic dive bezel that matches the green wave-patterned dial, a three-row steel bracelet, and large luminous hands and hour markers. These details make it quite the stand-in for a green Rolex Submariner, whether the Kermit, Hulk, or Starbucks.

The green Aquaracer Professional 300M Date is also a much more affordable alternative to the green Rolex Submariner, priced at $3,800 — less than half of the “Starbucks” ref. 126610LV’s $10,800 sticker price.

GMT-Master Alternative – Grand Seiko Sport Hi-Beat 36,000 GMT

It was once quite challenging to find solid Rolex GMT-Master alternatives, however, GMTs have become a popular complication among luxury watch brands in recent years, resulting in many more options for us to choose from.

Take for example the steel Grand Seiko Sport Hi-Beat 36,000 GMT SBGJ237; the watch’s two-tone 24-hour bezel, quartet of hands, date window, and three-link steel bracelet aren’t too far off a modern Rolex GMT-Master II. It’s worth pointing out though that the Grand Seiko version is much bigger, clocking in at 44.2mm in diameter and it also features a sapphire crystal-clad bezel.

If we compare the Grand Seiko’s $6,800 price tag to the steel “Batman” GMT-Master II 126710BLNR’s $10,700 asking price, it’s clear the GS is already the more affordable option without even considering grey market prices.

Rolex Explorer Alternative – Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic

The Explorer, Rolex’s most pared-down sports watch is instantly recognizable precisely because of its minimalist aesthetic, characterized by a black dial with oversized Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Thanks to its simple style, there’s no deficit of Rolex Explorer alternatives available, ranging from high to low.

The Polaris Automatic is on the higher end of things given that it’s made by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The watch has the prerequisite black dial with a smattering of Arabic numerals (with an extra one at 12 o’clock) and no date on the dial to disrupt the flow. Unlike the Explorer, this Polaris includes two crowns on the case, whereby one serves to rotate the inner bezel

Retail-wise, the steel Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Automatic is more expensive than the steel Rolex Explorer; $10,500 for the former and $7,700 for the Explorer 40. Conversely, on the secondary market, those prices are essentially switched around.

Explorer II Alternative – Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40

The Explorer II is not only beefier than its similarly-named cousin but also offers more functionality in the way of a GMT complication. Rolex only makes the Explorer II in stainless steel and always pairs it with an Oyster strap but it does offer a choice between a black or white “Polar” dial. Although there are quite a few Rolex Explorer II alternatives available, they’re typically on the lower end of the market.

One that isn’t is the Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 and when fitted with a white dial, looks pretty close to an Exp. 2 Polar. Sure, the 24-hour scale isn’t on the bezel but on the dial, the 24-hour hand is red rather than orange, the date window is at 6 and not 3, and the case is smaller at 40mm rather than 42mm, yet, somehow, the whole package comes together in what I argue is a solid alternative to the Explorer II.

As expected, Breitling’s GMT is priced lower than Rolex’s GMT: $6,150 for the Chronomat and $9,650 for the Explorer II. Also predictable is that prices are even more disparate on the secondary market.

Oyster Perpetual Alternative – Tudor Black Bay 31/36/39/41

I’ve made a conscious effort not to include Tudor until now; otherwise, this would just be a run-down of Tudor alternatives to Rolex watches since the sibling brands have more than their fair share of similar models. Yet, when it comes to Rolex Oyster Perpetual alternatives, Tudor offers the best choice.

Like the Oyster Perpetual, the Tudor Black Bay 31/36/39/41 collection is home to simple time-only, water-resistant, automatic watches in various sizes and dial colors. Unlike the OP, the new-gen BB is now fitted with five-link Jubilee-syle bracelets rather than three-link Oyster ones.

Given that Hans Wilsdorf established Tudor as the more affordable alternative to his beloved Rolex, naturally the Black Bay is less expensive than the Oyster Perpetual. A Black Bay 41 retails for $4,125 whereas the Oyster Perpetual 41 has an MSRP of $6,400.

Datejust Alternative – Omega Constellation Globemaster

Around since 1945, the Datejust is without a doubt Rolex’s hero model. It’s likely what comes to mind when thinking of a Rolex watch — or a classic watch, at that. As such, Rolex Datejust alternatives are plentiful, but again mostly on the very low end of the market (often just flat-out copycats or homages.)

For a more luxurious option, Omega has the answer. The Constellation Globemaster is one of the most overlooked modern Omega watches, but look closer and you’ll soon see it’s one of the best alternatives to the Datejust money can buy. There’s the iconic fluted bezel, the essential date window on the dial, and if preferred, a bracelet to match the case. Yet, despite the glaring parallels, the pie-pan dial gives the Globemaster its distinct personality — and that’s a good thing.

The stainless steel Globemaster 39 with a bracelet retails for $7,900 whereas a similar Rolex Datejust 41 has a retail price of $10,350. However, the Rolex option is slightly bigger and includes a white gold bezel rather than a steel one.

More on Omega:
Omega vs. Rolex: Who Makes Better Watches?
2024 Omega Watch Releases
The Omega Constellation: A Timeline from Pie Pan to Present Day
Two-Tone Omega Speedmaster Professional Models: A Collector’s Guide
Omega vs. Cartier: The Battle for #2

Day-Date Alternative – Omega Aqua Terra Day-Date

As the quintessential “I’ve made it” watch, it’s not surprising that the market is packed with Day-Date copycats. Again, these are typically cheap rip-offs or bargain homages. However, for a legit Day-Date alternative, we turn to Omega yet again but this time within the Aqua Terra line.

Like the Rolex Day-Date, this particular Aqua Terra Day-Date is fashioned entirely in gold, red gold to be exact from its 41.5mm case to its three-link bracelet. There’s the necessary arching day window at 12 o’clock, accompanied by a date window at six.

While the Aqua Terra Day-Date is no longer part of Omega’s current catalog its last published retail price was over $40,000, which is not far off from an Everose Rolex Day-Date 40, priced at $43,200.

Considering Rolex Alternatives

Rolex is often the top choice for many when it comes to luxury watches, but exploring alternatives can also help discover other excellent timepieces from different high-end brands. The best Rolex alternative for you might be less expensive (not always) and more readily available, which generally results in a better buying and owning experience.

Whether the sporty Zenith Chronomaster Sport and TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional or the dressier Omega Globemaster and Aqua Terras, there’s no shortage of solid Rolex alternatives available at retail or on the secondary market.

More Rolex Watch Guides
Women’s Rolex Watch Guide
Rolex Deepsea Guide: A Timeline of All Models
Rolex Milgauss Collector’s Guide
A Collector’s Guide to the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 16710
Rare Rolex Watches: A Collector’s Guide