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 Rolex Submariner Homage 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. It only offers 30-meters of water resistance. You can check out the Fanmis Rolex Submariner homage watch here on Amazon.

  2. Seiko 5 Automatic Dive Watch.

When the world asks middle class watch collectors a difficult question, the answer is usually, "There's a Seiko 5 for that!" While this Seiko 5 has the crown at 4 o'clock, the dial markings are much like the markings on a Submariner.

Seiko 5 Dive Watch (Amazon Photo)

It's a cool looking watch that looks great and fits in any budget and has a nod to the king of dive watches.

3. Orient Men's Ray II Automatic 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.  

Orient Ray 2 Dive Watch (Amazon Photo)

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.

[This article was updated with new links and a new watch in June 2025. If the Rolex Explorer turns your head, check out this post on  affordable alternatives to the venerable Rolex design.]