Three Watches That Look Like A Rolex Submariner

Have you bought a Rolex yet?  

Me neither.   

Are you closer to publishing that best seller or building that real estate empire?  

Me neither.

Have you danced around in your underwear and become a Youtube sensation?  

Me neither.

Any idea of how you are going to get a Rolex?  

Me neither.  Sigh...

Rolex Submariner Professional - By Dr.K. (talk) 17:56, 28 January 2007 (UTC) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I'm thinking it might be time to look at watches that evoke that Rolex style at more accessible middle class price points.  The Rolex Submariner has a Rolex movement, a 40 millimeter diameter case that is 13 millimeters thick, a screw down crown, a cyclops magnifier over the date window, and a coin edge unidirectional bezel.  It also has a heft and feel that is unmistakably Rolex.  It also delivers hard core dive watch performance with 300 meters of water resistance.  But, alas, it is sold at a stratospheric price.

Affordable Alternatives to the Rolex Submariner

Instead, I offer three watches that offer the Rolex Submariner look at prices we can all afford.

1. Fanmis Black Dial Rotatable Bezel Luminous Hand Quartz Silver Stainless Steel Watch.  Reviewers like the sub-$50 price and looks of this Rolex homage watch.  It has a crown log at 12 o'clock and Rolex style text at 6 o'clock.  It also has the cyclops magnifier and a coin edge rotating bezel.  Like a Rolex Submariner, it has a 40 millimeter diameter case, but it is 12 millimeters thick.  The reviews are good, but this is a fashion watch don't expect it to be water resistant.

 

 2. Henry Jay Mens 23K Gold Plated Two Tone Stainless Steel "Specialty Aquamaster" Professional Dive Watch.  There are two versions of this watch, a quartz version and a $100 more for an automatic.  Amazon purchasers have been pleased with both versions and have given them 4.4 out of 5 stars over many reviews.  One quartz watch reviewer wrote, "No one will ever mistake this for a Rolex, but no one will ever think or believe you paid what you did. I am extremely surprised and pleased by this watch."  The watch does have a rich two-tone look, the cyclops, 100 meters of water resistance, the coin-edge unidirectional bezel, and the right dimensions (40mm diameter and 13mm thick).

3. Orient Men's Ray II Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch.  Orient is a Japanese company that has been making high quality watches for 65 years.  The Orient Ray II is powered by a 22-jewel automatic movement that is made in house.  The case is 41 millimeters in diameter and 13 millimeters thick.  The unidirectional rotating bezel is precision made for precisely 120 clicks.  You will find a coin-edge bezel, but no cyclops over the date.  I like the cool logo, the in-house movement, and the bit of independence and brand value that Orient brings to the table.  The watch is also rated for a respectable 200 meters of water resistance.


Each of these watches evoke the classic dive watch from Rolex.  Yet, they are not counterfeit watches.  Like you, they are simply inspired by a classic design.  They show that you can have the Rolex look even if you don't have the Rolex wallet.