Although it didn’t start out that way, in recent years, the Rolex Daytona has grown to become the most sought-after luxury chronograph. As a result, Daytona watches are almost impossible to find at Rolex authorized dealers and command hefty premiums on the secondary market. Whether you already own a Daytona and want something else or are waiting for the right time to buy one, plenty of other luxury chronograph watches are available that offer similar designs to Rolex’s flagship chronograph . With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best Rolex Daytona alternative watches. Note, these Daytona alternatives are not necessarily less expensive. To keep things in the luxury realm, we’ve only picked premium chronograph watches made by other high-end watch brands.
Back to Basics: What is a Chronograph Watch?
Key Characteristics of the Rolex Daytona
Along with being one of Rolex’s most popular models, the Daytona is also one of the brand’s most varied collections with plenty of materials, colors, dials, and bracelets available — especially if you’re shopping the secondary market that includes discontinued references. However, regardless of the specific style, there are a handful of key characteristics that tie modern Rolex Daytona watches and vintage Daytona watches together.
Before we get to the Daytona alternatives, it’s important to outline the watch’s main design characteristics so we have a set of parameters to compare to.
Modern Daytona watches made from 1988 onward:
Case | 40mm Oyster case water-resistant to 100 meters | |
Crown/Pushers | Screw-down chronograph pushers and winding crown | |
Bezel Scale | Tachymeter scale (or precious gems) on the bezel | |
Bezel Material | Metal, ceramic, or gem-set bezel | |
Dial Layout | Three counters on the dial at 3, 6, 9 | |
Bracelet | Metal Oyster bracelet, rubber Oysterflex bracelet, or leather strap (discontinued) | |
Movement | Automatic movements |
Vintage Daytona watches made from 1963 to 1988:
Case | 38mm cases |
Crown/Pushers | Two chronograph pushers flanking the winding crown |
Bezel Scale | Tachymeter scale on the bezel |
Bezel Material | Metal or acrylic bezel |
Dial Layout | Three counters on the dial at 3, 6, 9 |
Bracelet | Metal Oyster bracelet |
Movement | Manual-winding |
In 2023, Rolex rolled out an entirely new generation of Daytona references. At first glance, the latest Daytona watches look remarkably similar to the recently discontinued references; yet, they do include brand-new movements and slightly updated cases, dials, and bezels.
Further Reading:
New and Discontinued Rolex Watches for 2023
Rolex Daytona Price & Buying Guide
How Much Can I Get For My Rolex Daytona?
Rolex Daytona Alternatives
Now that we’ve laid out the Rolex Daytona design language, let’s get to finding some solid alternatives from Tudor, Breitling, Omega, Zenith, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
Reference | 79360N |
Case | 41mm, stainless steel |
Bezel | Black aluminum bezel with tachymeter scale |
Dial Layout | White or black dial with two counters and date window |
Bracelet | Three-link Oyster-style bracelet available |
Movement | Automatic movement with 70-hour power reserve |
Depth Rating | 200-meter water resistance |
2023 retail price: $5,450 |
As we’ve done several times before when picking the best Rolex alternatives, let’s start with Rolex’s sibling company Tudor. Tudor is known for its excellent collection of well-made Swiss watches at more accessible price points than Rolex, including several solid chronograph watches.
One watch that’s a particularly good stand-in for the stainless steel and ceramic Rolex Daytona is the Tudor Black Bay Chrono ref. 79360N, which like the Rolex Chronograph ref. 116500LN and 126500LN watches includes a black bezel, steel case, and a choice between a black or white “Panda” dial. Conversely, unlike the Daytona, the Black Bay Chrono includes a larger 41mm case, only two registers on the dial, as well as a date window. Plus, the BB Chrono’s bezel is aluminum rather than ceramic; yet, despite the small differences, the similarity between these two chronographs is undeniable.
Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42
Reference | AB0118A61C1A1 |
Case | 42mm, stainless steel |
Bezel | Smooth steel bezel |
Dial Layout | Blue dial – tachymeter scale around the periphery |
Bracelet | Five-link stainless steel bracelet |
Movement | Automatic movement with 70-hour power reserve |
Depth Rating | 100-meter water resistance |
MSRP | 2023 retail price: $9,100 |
One of the nicest-looking modern Daytona models is the white gold reference 116509 with a blue dial — the counterpart to the ultra-collectible yellow gold Daytona “John Mayer” watch. For a much more affordable alternative, there’s the Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 in stainless steel, also with a blue dial. While the materials are of course different, the Premier still offers up that white metal plus blue dial combination that’s so popular these days.
The 42mm steel case of the Premier by Breitling does not include a tachymeter scale on the bezel as the Daytona does; rather, the scale is placed on the periphery of the dial. Also on that dial are two black counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, joined by a date window at 6 o’clock. Breitling is renowned for its collection of high-end chronographs and the Premier B01 is a sporty yet elegant example of what the brand does best.
Omega Speedmaster FOiS
Reference | 311.63.40.30.02.001 |
Case | 39.7mm, Sedna (rose) gold |
Bezel | Brown ceramic bezel with tachymeter scale |
Dial Layout | Brown and silver dial with three counters |
Bracelet | Brown leather strap |
Movement | Manual-winding movement with 48-hour power reserve |
Depth Rating | 50-meter water resistance |
MSRP | Last published retail price: $18,000 (discontinued) |
In terms of famous chronographs, the Omega Speedmaster is just as known as the Rolex Daytona as it was the first chronograph to land on the Moon in 1969. Since then, not only has the Speedmaster picked up the “Moonwatch” nickname but Omega has also continued to make a slew of space exploration-inspired Speedmaster watches to remind us of this important part of the company’s history.
Take for example the Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” (FOiS) ref. 311.63.40.30.02.001, which as its name suggests is a commemorative model of the Speedmaster that astronaut Wally Schirra brought with him (unofficially) into space in 1962. However, this particular version is a precious metal variant, crafted in 18k Sedna gold (Omega’s proprietary rose gold alloy), and features an attractive vintage-inspired “Panda” style dial. In fact, the Sedna gold Speedmaster FOiS is a fantastic alternative to a vintage Daytona — with or without a “Paul Newman” dial.
Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Reference | 18.3100.3600/69.C920 |
Case | 41mm, rose gold |
Bezel | Black ceramic bezel with tachymeter scale |
Dial Layout | White dial with tri-colored registers |
Bracelet | Black leather strap |
Movement | Automatic movement with 60-hour power reserve |
Depth Rating | 100-meter water resistance |
MSRP | 2023 retail price: $22,400 |
One of the best Rolex Daytona alternatives on the market is the Zenith Chronomaster Sport, which is quite a coincidence given that Rolex used to rely on the Zenith El-Primero movement for its collection of Daytona watches. Zenith was a pioneer of automatic chronographs (some argue, even the first), and it’s an area the company continues to focus on.
If you place the rose gold Chronomaster Sport alongside an Everose gold Daytona with a ceramic bezel (i.e., the ref. 116515LN or 126515LN) the similarities are very apparent. However, the Zenith does include a date window on the dial wedged in between 4 and 5 o’clock. Furthermore, the Chronomaster Sport is home to overlapping registers in three colors — a signature trait of Zenith chronographs — on the dial, which is encased inside a 41mm rose gold case. The high-beat El Primero 3600 1/10th-of-a-second automatic chronograph movement drives the speedy central chronograph hand to complete a revolution in just 10 seconds.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
Reference | 5500V/110A-B481 |
Case | 42.5mm, stainless steel |
Bezel | White gold hammered bezel |
Dial Layout | Black dial with three white counters |
Bracelet | Stainless steel integrated bracelet |
Movement | Automatic movement with 52-hour power reserve |
Depth Rating | 150-meter water resistance |
MSRP | 2023 retail price: $35,600 |
Within the pantheon of seventies-born luxury sports watch models, the Overseas is one worth considering, originating as the 222 in 1977 and evolving into the Overseas in the 1990s. Vacheron Constantin‘s sportiest model is also one of its most popular. As such, Vacheron Constantin makes numerous versions of the Overseas including chronographs, which can be superb alternatives to the Rolex Daytona.
For instance, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas ref. 5500V/110A-B481 with a “Reverse Panda” dial offers a similar vibe to a vintage Daytona ref. 6265 with a black dial. Both have steel cases and bracelets, screw-down chronograph pushers, and black dials with three white subdials. Of course, there are some notable differences too, particularly in terms of the overall silhouette — the Overseas features a notched bezel inspired by the Maltese cross and its integrated bracelet includes the same motif for the links. Unlike the no-date Daytona, the Overseas does include a date window on the dial, as well as a seconds/minute track on the rehaut.
Learn more:
What is the Price of a Vacheron Constantin Overseas?
New Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph “Panda” for 2023
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph
Reference | 26239BC.GG.1224BC.02 |
Case | 41mm white gold hammered case |
Bezel | White gold hammered bezel |
Dial Layout | Black Grande Tapisserie dial with three rhodium counters |
Bracelet | White gold hammered bracelet |
Movement | Automatic movement with 70-hour power reserve |
Depth Rating | 50-meter water resistance |
MSRP | Last published retail price: $84,700 (discontinued) |
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans race in 2023, Rolex unveiled a special edition Daytona “Le Mans” model in white gold. Given the popularity of the Daytona in general and how rarely Rolex launches special editions, the Le Mans Rolex Daytona ref. 126529LN will likely be one of the hardest modern models to source — ever.
For another special white gold chronograph as an alternative, we turn to Audemars Piguet and the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph Frosted Gold, characterized by its spectacular hammered finish throughout the 41mm case, octagonal bezel, and integrated bracelet. As is customary for most Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches, this white gold chronograph includes a hobnailed-patterned dial (a.k.a. tapisserie), punctuated with three registers at 3, 6, and 9, and a date window at 4:30. While, unlike the Daytona, the RO chronograph does not have a tachymeter scale there is a track around the dial periphery for accurate chronograph reading.
More on Audemars Piguest:
How Much Does An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Cost?
Audemars Piguet Just Dropped the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Spider-Man
Royal Oak Offshore in Full Ceramic
Finding the Right Rolex Daytona Alternative Watch
That wraps up our breakdown of some of the best Rolex Daytona alternative watches on the market. As we’ve illustrated, the luxury watch market is packed with exceptional chronograph watches from a myriad of high-end watchmakers.
Whether you go with a steel variant or precious metal model, remember to always check the gray market for prices — you might be surprised at how much you can save when you’re shopping for a luxury watch that isn’t a Rolex.
Other Rolex Alternative Guides:
Rolex Submariner Alternatives: 7 Other Excellent Dive Watches
Best Rolex Oyster Perpetual Alternatives
The Best Rolex Datejust Alternatives
The Best Rolex Explorer Alternatives
Best Rolex Explorer II Alternatives
My TOP 5 Rolex GMT Master II ALTERNATIVES!
TOP Affordable Alternatives to ROLEX WATCHES!
2 Comments
Except that you can’t read it ….
Rolex Daytona is the best.