Rolex Submariner Alternative

For many watch enthusiasts, the Rolex Submariner is the epitome of a high-quality diving watch. The iconic diving watch from the brand, founded by Hans Wilsdorf, has gone down in history and remains one of Rolex's most recognizable and popular models to this day. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to own a genuine Rolex Submariner. In this article, we explore 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 enthusiasts certainly agree: They would love to have an original Rolex Submariner in their collection. However, there are several reasons why they might want to 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, while 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. However, not everyone is able to invest that much money in a watch. Therefore, more affordable alternatives to the Rolex Submariner are particularly sought after.

The availability of the Rolex Submariner

Even if the list price fits your budget, that doesn't necessarily mean you can buy a Rolex Submariner. Demand for these models far exceeds the manufacturer's supply. Rolex produces fewer Submariners than there are buyers with sufficient purchasing power. Therefore, you're forced to accept long waiting times or resort to the secondary market. While you can find well-maintained Rolex Submariner diver's watches there, you'll 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 limited availability will quickly realize that there are some truly excellent replicas available. These are astonishingly close to the original in terms of design and functionality, are often available directly from the manufacturer without a waiting period, and are also more affordable. Of course, there is hardly a model that is truly 100% the equal of the Rolex Submariner. However, the alternatives to the famous classic are so good that it's definitely worth taking a closer look.

Rolex Submariner Alternative Luxury Diver Watches

We'll now discuss some of the best Rolex Submariner alternatives, all of which meet the most important criteria for luxury watches. These are all high-quality dive watches that, in one way or another, are reminiscent of the Rolex Submariner or even extremely similar to it.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

We'll start with a watch that's just as famous as the Submariner. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, which once graced the wrist of James Bond, is a world-class diving watch with a unidirectional rotating bezel and helium escape valve. As befits a diving watch, this Omega model boasts water resistance to 300 m and resistance to chlorine and seawater.

The timepiece's signature wave pattern on the dial makes it instantly recognizable as an Omega Seamaster . The dive watch is available with a sporty yet functional rubber strap, among other options, that fits beautifully on the wrist and exudes a truly modern look.

Similar in diameter, functionality, and diving depth, the Omega Seamaster Diver is an excellent alternative to a Rolex watch for divers. This stylish sports watch is comparatively affordable, listed by the manufacturer for around €4,800. Getting hold of this tool watch on the secondary market requires a bit of luck, as demand is quite high. However, with patience, you can certainly find a bargain and get an Omega with less desirable references starting at 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. This is a highly functional dive watch with a 70-hour power reserve and water resistance to 200 m. At the heart of the Tudor (Heritage) Black Bay is a reliable in-house caliber.

Particularly popular is the Tudor Black Bay 58, 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 one expects from Tudor watches. The Tudor Black Bay (58), first introduced in 2012, is now available in numerous versions, including an extravagant two-tone version, as well as in silver, gold, or stainless steel.

Compared to the Rolex Submariner—and even the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M—the Tudor Black Bay's availability on the open market is quite good. It's possible to purchase this sporty diver's watch for a fraction of the price of a Rolex. You can often find excellently preserved Tudor Black Bay watches with this popular reference priced starting at €3,500.

Breitling Superocean

The Breitling Superocean Heritage collection is a household name for every watch enthusiast. It includes numerous references that have earned it a certain reputation around the world and has delighted collectors since 1957. The Superocean diver's 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 significantly more elegant and classic than Rolex Submariner watches. Instead of opting for a thoroughly sporty design, Breitling opts for a successful combination of modern sportiness and classic elegance. The result is a sophisticated tool watch that, thanks to its diverse range of models, perfectly complements both sports outfits and evening wear.

The Breitling Superocean is undoubtedly a luxury watch, whose high quality is evident even from a distance. Nevertheless, its price is under €5,000, so it can be confidently described as offering excellent value for money. Depending on the model and the specific version of the diver's watch, some can be purchased for as little as €4,300.

Glashütte Original SeaQ

With the SeaQ , the long-established company Original Glashütte presents a charming diver's watch, water-resistant to 20 bar and powered by the 39-11 caliber movement. The in-house caliber offers a 40-hour power reserve and a stop-second option for precise dive time measurement. Depending on the model, the watch is also available with an integrated date display.

The SeaQ Dive Watch's design is quite striking: Large hands meet broad numerals, and a Super-LumiNova coating ensures excellent readability both underwater and above water in all lighting conditions. This modern diver's watch is available with straps made of rubber, easy-care synthetic fabric, or stainless steel. The elegantly domed sapphire crystal, which harmoniously covers the dials, perfectly rounds off the visually harmonious look of the watch in its steel case.

Glashütte watches are priced comparable to the Rolex Submariner. Accordingly, while not necessarily a significantly cheaper alternative, it is a significantly more accessible one. The SeaQ generally costs between €7,500 and €11,000.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer

A unidirectional rotating bezel, a solid bracelet with a diver's extension, and water resistance to 30 ATM: The Tag Heuer Aquaracer is a true diver's watch. A safety clasp and double crown seals ensure maximum safety during adventures below sea level.

The signature feature of the Tag Heuer Aquaracer watch is its octagonal bezel. This gives the watch a very distinctive look and perfectly complements the other carefully considered design elements. These include the luminous indices and hands, which lend the model an even sportier touch. Newer diving watches from the Aquaracer series also feature 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: The simplest version of such a watch is available from around €1,500, making it a completely affordable alternative to the Rolex Submariner.

Oris Aquis Date

Another item that deserves mention among the alternatives to the Rolex Submariner is the Oris Aquis Date. Technically, this watch boasts water resistance to 300 m and a discreetly integrated date display at the 6 o'clock position. So, we're dealing with a highly functional diver's watch that has the potential to compete with an icon like the Rolex Submariner.

When looking at the design of the Oris Aquis Date, the first thing you notice are the bold, thick hands and the visually striking 60-minute scale. The steel case houses an elegant dial, sometimes available in metallic blue or rich green. The models are available with stainless steel, rubber, or leather straps, with the watches with the sporty rubber straps enjoying particular popularity.

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

Rado Captain Cook

As a decidedly lesser-known brand, you probably wouldn't have expected Rado to be on the list of alternatives to a Rolex Submariner. Yet, the brand's range includes a watch that we'd like to share with our readers: the Captain Cook model.

This straightforwardly designed watch features an 80-hour power reserve and is now available in various color options, including a navy blue, green, black, or red dial and bezel. 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 instantly recognizable as a functional tool watch. The watch boasts water resistance to 300 m and caters to a wide range of tastes thanks to its diverse design options.

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

Prices for the tool watch 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 to 500 m make the Tudor Pelagos a valuable companion on dives. Like many diving watches, the Pelagos model also features high-quality luminous material, which in this case is applied to the hands and indices.

The Tudor Dive Watch is crafted from sturdy titanium and features a classic bezel and dial in sleek black or striking blue. Paired with a silver titanium or blue or black rubber strap, it creates the overall look of a high-quality sports watch that looks great with any outfit.

Tudor 's sought-after model is priced significantly below the Rolex Submariner. These 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 we'd like to introduce in this article is the Prospex Sea by Seiko . It's water-resistant to 200 meters and is always easy to read thanks to luminous indices and hands.

The Prospex Sea, which is available in several interesting limited editions, is recognizable by its solid steel case and clearly designed dials. Available with textile straps, stainless steel bracelets, or rubber bracelets, the watch is sure 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 starting at just under €1,000.

Conclusion on the Rolex Submariner alternative

The fact is: Anyone who has fallen in love with the Rolex Submariner will never be 100% satisfied by any alternative. After all, the Rolex is an icon whose value, for the dedicated collector, cannot be measured in money. Watch enthusiasts who are open to alternative diving watches and want to save money will find some very stylish models from Breitling, Seiko, Tudor, and others that bear striking similarities to the Rolex Submariner.