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.]

Wristwatch Review: Casio MRW200H Neo-Display Dive Watch

Reviewing an Inexpensive Classic from Casio

 [I originally published this review on Yahoo Contributors Network on March 22, 2014.  However, as Yahoo is shuttering their site on July 31st, the article is being republished here.]

If you plan to take a wristwatch in harm's way, there are two approaches you can take. You can buy a expensive armored watch or you can buy a super cheap watch that you don't mind getting damaged. One such disposable watch is the rugged Casio MRW200H Neo-Display Dive Watch. It's a very inexpensive watch, but it mimics much of the style and some of the functions of far more expensive timepieces. I was thrilled to pick up a diver-style watch for less than $20.

Watch Style. This Casio looks like an expensive dive watch. It has a black case, black dial, and a black resin strap. I got model MRW200H-4BV on which the watch hands are luminous and numbers are in contrasting orange. (This watch is also available in different variants with white, blue or green numbers or with luminous bubbles instead of numbers on the dial). This Casio has a rotating diver-style bezel with an inverted triangle marking 12 o'clock and the first 15 minutes marked at minute intervals and every five minutes with contrasting numbers. The dial has large numbers for 12 hour time and an inboard set of smaller numbers to provide 24-hour time. A day and date window take the 3 o'clock position. Multi-national forces may appreciate that the day is provided in Spanish, French, and English.

 Watch Functionality. My Casio MRW200H-4BV keeps time well and more than meets my expectations for a watch at this price point. For most daydreamers, this watch works quite well. However, if you have more demanding needs from a watch, you'll want to be aware of potential drawbacks with the MRW200H. First, the bezel is not uni-directional and it doesn't click with each turn. Scuba divers use rotating bezels to keep track of how much time they can spend under water. A uni-directional bezel can't be bumped to show that divers have more time available. It helps keep them from running out of air. Second, the watch is a little finicky to set. Finally, the crystal is definitely scratchable.

Watch Size. The Casio MRW200H-4BV is a nicely-sized watch with a 43 mm case diameter and 11 m case thickness. The strap appears to be robustly sized 22 millimeters near the watch, but tapers down to a far more modest width at the buckle. While the band is a bit flimsy, it is long with adjustments for any sized wrist. At only about 4 ounces, this Casio is extremely lightweight and comfortable.

Watch Construction. The Casio MRW200H-4BV has a black resin case and stainless steel caseback. The case bumps out slightly to protect the crown. While it is not a screwdown crown, this Casio does provide 100 meters of water resistance.

Price. I've seen this Casio at a wide variety of price points between $16 and $25. Walmart and Amazon have it for the lowest prices. I was able to pick it up from Walmart for just less than $19.

Overall. I really like this watch. The MRW200H series of Diver-Style watches are a good value for the money. They make a great "bang around watch" and cost less than $25.

These watches are a lot like potato chips, it's hard to stop with just one. A bang around watch from a name brand like Casio for less than $25 is always a great day.

Alternatives to Rolex and Omega Dive Watches

Rolex and Omega make some of the most prestigious dive watches in the world. They are legends and rightfully so. They are the watches that are synonymous with adventure. Many, many people want them. But, they cost more than most people can responsibly afford.

That high price opens the door to a lot of scams and a lot companies that make fake watches.  Over on my favorite watch board, we've been discussing an interesting scam to offer homage watches as part of funding a rather hair-brained scheme on kickstarter.  As a consumer, there is no reason to go down that road.  Fortunately, there are plenty of nice dive watches made by legitimate companies.

When the day comes for you to buy a real Rolex or a real Omega Seamaster, you'll be able to do so with pride and with your head held high because it will symbolize real achievement.

Introducing the Momentum Torpedo Dive Watch

Twitter is a great place to learn about interesting watch brands and new watches.  Momentum is a brand that I just learned about.  If you are looking for a dive watch at an affordable price, the new Momentum Torpedo looks like the perfect choice.  It has a case made of solid 316L stainless steel with a manly brushed steel finish.

Since looks alone won't cut it in an unforgiving ocean, the Momentum Torpedo will have impressive specs.  It has a screw down crown and a screw-on back that combine to give give the watch 200 meters (660 feet) of water resistance.  Best of all, the Momentum Torpedo won't torpedo you financially.  The manufacturers suggested retail price is $99 with a NATO strap, $114 with a rubber dive strap, or $144.00 with a bracelet!

The Torpedo is going to hit some other targets as well.  The dimensions of the new Torpedo sound perfect.  The Momentum Torpedo will be a large watch, but not insanely large.  It will have a 47.99 millimeter diameter case (including the crown) and 44.15 mm diameter case every where else.  From lug to lug, the watch will be 50.50 mm.  The band will be a nice 22 millimeters wide.

It will be powered by a Japanese quartz movement and have an anticipated battery life of 3 to 5 years from a 371 silver oxide cell.  It will have a heat-tempered, anti-glare, mineral crystal and there will be an available sapphire upgrade.

Momentum will even have an all-lume dial variant to light up the night!

The Momentum Torpedo is now available at dealers now and on Amazon.com.

A Momentum Torpedo Watch

You can check out other Momentum Watches for Men on Amazon.

Cheap Dive Watch Review: Casio MRW200H Neo-Display Dive Watch

Everyone wants a bad ass commando-style dive watch.  Everyone wants the kind of watch that has a case, strap, and bezel in midnight black and high visibility numbers. But, real commando watch capabilities often come with a high price tag.  Of course, if you aren't a real commando, you don't have to pay that high price.  You can just buy a watch that looks cool.  When it comes to cool for the price, it's hard to beat this Casio:

Casio MRW200H Neo-Display Dive Watch

Yup, I finally broke down and bought the Casio MRW200H Diver-Style watch that I've been lusting after on my trips to Walmart and Target.  It's pretty awesome for a watch that costs less than $25. You can read my complete review of this watch here.  If you'd like to buy a watch like this, Amazon has plenty of varieties here.

Casio MRW200H Diver-style Watches - Adventure on the Cheap!

There are some watches that I see every time I go to the store.  They catch my eye, hold my attention, and then I put them back.  These watches intrigue me, but are just too similar to some of the watches that I already have in my collection.  For example, these Casio MRW200H Dive Watches are attractive and affordable.  You can always find them at Walmart, Target, or Kmart. Amazon has them even cheaper!

These utilitarian dive watches have rotating bezels and are waterproof to 100 meters.  They also have readable dials with large numbers, day/date windows, and a mineral crystal.  It should be noted that the bezel is not unidirectional and doesn't give you a click with each turn.  But, at less than $25, they are the kind of watch that you won't be afraid to abuse.  They look good and they offer adventure on the cheap!

I think I would buy one of these watches in a flash.  But, my trusty Timex is still taking a licking and it still keeps on ticking.  One day, I'll surely succumb to the lure of an inexpensive bang around Casio watch that has adventure written all over it!

By David Haberthür (image description page) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

[After I wrote this post, I did get a Casio MRW200H.  You can read my complete review of it here on this blog.]