Submariner alternatives

Monta Oceanking

Depends on what you search for in a Submariner and what is your budget.

• Luxury diver?

• Just a diver?

• A James Bond watch?

• Do you want a clomage, a homage, or something wholly original?

• What dimensions do you want?

Tudor. Is there another answer possible to this question?

Sure! Although I'd be more specific. I think the Pelagos 39 is the one that matches or replaces it the most - that old comment about "what the sub of yesterday would be today" has something in it.

But the black Pelagos OG may make you think about the sub, "why would I want something so blingy and slightly obvious instead?"

As the owner of that watch I can say that if someone said to me now, "you can have any Rolex you want", I would not choose the sub. Although a few years ago I was mad to get one, I understand the desire. (Final point: they photograph so well that IMO they are rather disappointing when you view a real one.)

There are a couple that spring to mind.

The Christopher Ward C60 Pro 300 in 40 mm is a pretty good alternative. You would have about $8k left over for a really nice vacation. $1100 on bracelet.

Reaching back in the archives the Omega Planet Ocean 2201.50 is pretty competitive too. These old school POs don't wear as large as the newer versions. They can be found at really good prices too. $3-5K depending on condition and B/P.

If you wanted to stick with Rolex my pick would be a 16600 over a modern Sub all day long. These can be had between $7-9K.

There are a lot of options up and down the price ladder.

if you really want it just go grey instead of settling for a lookalike

As other wise people have suggested Tudor offers the modern day equivalent in several flavours.

At generally half the price and more readily available with the bonus of being effectively from the same stable.

The Pelagos and the Pelagos 39 offer a modern take. The BB 54 a return to the original Bond model and the new Monachrome BB perhaps the nearest of all?

The Submariner in its various versions is almost certainly the most copied watch out there with hundreds of imitations and homages from the Duro upwards.

Not forgetting an honourable mention for Steinhart.

Personally I have a Duro and a Pelagos so I'm covering each end of the spectrum!

https://www.timefactors.com/collections/smiths/products/smiths-commander-prs-60

Personally I think it’s pretty lame to buy watches that look like something they are not. I’d recommend a brand like Sinn or Damasko that makes aesthetically unique and high quality watches at the price point.

The Casio Duro Marlin on a SS Oyster bracelet punches WAY above its weight. But that's just my opinion.

I sold my Rolex back a year or so ago. I just purchased the new Tudor and it seems to be an excellent piece.

There are a lot of great options besides a sub. That said I've built a couple of sub homages.

Glycine, Mido, Steinhert, and of course at a higher price Tudor

There are a lot of copycat that not fake, steinhart for upper end, san martin for micro chinese brand.

I've personally been looking at the Seiko SNE573 - it's a 38mm solar quartz diver with some Sub-like design cues, but has its own personality as well.

https://ginault.com/

They make a stunning watch. I would take this over a Sub any day of the week.

If it’s a sub you want then I wouldn’t go for anything else. Lots available on the grey market and the premium isn’t so high now as it was a year + ago . Other than Rolex Sub I really like the Seamaster 300pro and the new Tudor Mono , both amazing dive watches 👌🏽

I would recommend the Davosa Ternos Ceramic. I got one of these last month, fantastic watch!

Just picked up the BB41 and it’s great, pictures do it no justice. You can tell it’s quality and looks sharp and clean as far as design elements go. Have it on the 5 link for a little more classes casual look.

Glashutte... Diver Panodate. I own the FXD-23', 124060, Heritage Black Bay (Smiley face), Sinn U200 and the GO Panodate and it has an amazing movement and finish...right up there with Rolex and you can get one - Getting a Sub no date is ridiculous from the AD - even now...

I have the opposite opinion. If I like the design of a $10,000 watch but don’t want to pay $10,000 it makes perfect sense to me to spend $1,000 for a watch that looks very similar.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms imo is the best alternative to a submariner - historically relevant (challenges Rolex claim as first modern dive watch), looks amazing, and is now available in 42mm in Blancpain’s regular line up, without the need to hunt down limited editions.