We have compiled a list of the top Luxury Watch Homages of 2024, and No you don’t have to spend your entire life savings on these alternatives.
Luxury watches are so expensive that only a few are able to afford them.
Good thing there are homage watches that are more affordable but still look like the iconic timepieces coveted by many.
Homage watches are not fakes or replicas since they maintain their own identity even though they incorporate a few of the design features found on luxury watches.
These alternative accessories give you the same vibe as that of the luxury watches they’re paying their tribute to.
The closeness of their designs to luxury watches, in addition to being reasonably priced, make homage alternatives popular to consumers and collectors.
Top Watches Similar To Iconic Luxury Watches We Know
Here are some of the most iconic timepieces in history and their best homage alternatives.
Rolex Daytona
The Rolex Daytona is described as the watch of car racers.
For that reason, the Paul Newman’s iconic panda look features a tachymeter bezel, two pushers, and 3 subdial chronographs situated in a 3-6-9 position.
Since the Newman is hard to find, it may be better to purchase some of the alternatives we’ve listed below.
Invicta 9211 Speedway
The 40mm Speedway has a polished tachymeter bezel, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, a Japanese quartz movement, and a white dial with black accent on the 3 subdials.
It doesn’t exactly look like the Daytona but you can still see the resemblance between the two.
Pros:
- Its design suits any attire
- Very affordable alternative to the Daytona
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Mineral crystal can be easily scratched
- Flimsy bracelet
- Hands may fall off when used on extreme activities
- Clunky subdial function
Steinhart Ocean 1 Vintage Chronograph
The 42mm Ocean 1 is probably the closest alternative to the Daytona with its vintage look.
The Ocean 1 features a similar black dial with red accents, a tachymeter scale on the bezel, and 3 subdials located at the same position as that of the Daytona.
It has luminous hands, a domed sapphire crystal, 2 crown pushers, and a Dubois Dépraz DD 2020 movement.
Pros:
- Superb craftsmanship that you’ll mistake it for the Paul Newman Daytona
- Accurate movement
- Bracelet is solid and looks great
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Watch is a little thick at 18mm
- Lume on the hands and markers aren’t that visible in low light environments
- It’s quite expensive for an alternative watch
Gevril Tribeca
The 42mm Tribeca features a quartz Ronda 5030D movement, 3 subdials, and a tachymeter bezel.
The addition of a date window located at the 4:30 position made it a different timepiece compared to the Daytona Newman.
Pros:
- Great-looking watch that stands out in any kind of attire
- Superb build and dimensions are similar to the Newman
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Expensive alternative watch
- The red-colored inscription on the dial destroys the overall ‘Newman’ feel of the watch
- The watch has no lume
Breitling Navitimer
First released in 1952, the Navitimer easily became the favorite of pilots because of the incorporation of a scale rule bezel on the watch.
It helps in measuring fuel consumption and flight times.
Priced around $9,000, the Navitimer features a date window, 3 subdials, and luminous hands, aside from the detailed bezel.
Below are 3 of the most popular Navitimer tribute watches available in the market.
Parnis Navitimer Homage
This Navitimer homage from Parnis features a rotating scale rule bezel, a mineral crystal, a chronograph, 3 subdials, a quartz movement, and a date window.
Pros:
- Good quality of leather strap
- Cheapest Navitimer homage you can get
- Looks almost the same as the Navitimer
Cons:
- Lume glow doesn’t last
- Bezel can be hard to turn
- Dial looks too busy and may be hard to read time
- Date window is a little small
Citizen Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
The 48mm Eco-Drive has a number of features including a dual-time function, 3 chronograph subdials, and a date window.
It’s powered by Eco-Drive E820 movement that allows the watch to operate using sunlight energy.
Pros:
- No need to replace the battery
- Excellent quality and sophisticated design
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Mineral crystal can be easily scratched
- It will take some effort to set the date and time
- Dial looks too busy
Sinn 903 St
The 41mm German-made watch features a Valjoux 7750 automatic movement and one of the most sophisticated dials in the market.
It has an internal rotating bezel that can be controlled using the extra crown on the 10 o’clock position, a sapphire crystal, a red-tipped second hand, and a date window.
Pros:
- Available in different color options and bracelet types
- Accurate hand movement
- Excellent craftsmanship
- Power reserve of up to 44 hours
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- An expensive alternative to the Navitimer
- Too small for the busy design
- The additional crown pusher may bother some users due to its odd position
Omega Seamaster
The Omega Seamaster was made more popular by James Bond after wearing it on several installations of the movie series.
It’s also one of the oldest in the collection that’s still being produced by Omega.
The durability and functionality of the Seamaster have made it the standard diving watch by water sports enthusiasts.
It has a straightforward design that features a date window and luminous hands and markers.
Being a diver’s watch, the 300m water resistance rating of the Seamaster should be an expected feature.
Here are some affordable alternatives you can consider purchasing in place of the Seamaster.
Alpha SM-Day
The 42mm Seamaster alternative from Alpha features a blue bezel and dial, a date window, luminescent markers and hands, a stainless steel case, and a Miyota movement.
Pros:
- Looks great that you’ll mistake it for a Seamaster
- Inexpensive homage with acceptable quality
- Good hand movement
Cons:
- Water resistant up to 50m only which may pose a problem for divers
- Clasp feels flimsy
- Lume isn’t that brilliant
- Bezel has a lot of play
Orient Ray (FEM65009D9)
The 41.5mm automatic watch from Orient features a unidirectional bezel, a day-date window, luminous hands and markers, and an Orient CAL F6922 movement.
Pros:
- Very affordable alternative to the Seamaster
- Power reserve of up to 40 hours
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Crown threads may get loose easily, causing water to enter the watch
- Gains a noticeable amount of time every day
- Bezel doesn’t line up accordingly
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Designed by the master watch designer Gerald Genta, the Royal Oak is the flagship timepiece of Audemars Piguet.
It features the iconic octagonal bezel bolted into the stainless steel case by 6 hexagon-shaped screw heads, resembling a diver’s helmet.
Here are the watches that best resemble the AP Royal Oak.
Parnis 41MM Royal Oak Homage
Ths Parnis Royal Oak watch is a little-known up and coming brand that is giving budget watch lovers the chance to enjoy the AP feel.
The Parnis Royal Oak is 41mm in diameter and 13mm thick.
It has a Automatic Self-Winding Movement with synthetic sapphire protective glass and quality stainless steel case and bracelet.
Pros
- 1 Year Warranty
- Very similar shape
- Stainless steel high quality case and bracelet
- Date setting
Cons
- Not Water resistant
Bulova Vintage Royal Oak
You’ll mistake the 42mm Royal Oak homage from Bulova for the real AP Royal Oak because of their highly similar features.
The Bulova RO has a date window, a stainless steel case, a plain-colored dial, and an octagonal bezel that are almost identical to the AP.
Pros:
- Its ETA 2892 movement is accurate
- Quality and craftsmanship are impeccable
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Very expensive for an alternative watch
- It’s now a rare item that’s hard to find
- Parts for repair are also hard to find
Gevril GV2 Corsaro
The massive 50mm Corsaro is a limited edition timepiece that features a day-date window, luminescent markers and hands, an exhibition case back, 3 subdials, and 2 crown pushers.
It has a rubberized crown and its dial is available in different color combinations.
Pros:
- Quality materials were used to create the watch
- Sporty-looking watch that can be used in rigorous activities
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Too expensive for an alternative timepiece
- Quite heavy and bulky
- Design may not suit your taste
Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Submariner is one of the most copied timepieces in the industry of watchmaking.
Its sturdy built made for diving and its simple military-like look are the things that attract many customers to it.
Aside from the bright, luminescent hands and markers, and the magnified date window at the 3 o’clock position, the Submariner is known for its iconic Mercedes hour hand.
Here are some alternative watches that pay tribute to the legendary design of the Submariner.
Invicta Pro Diver (8926OB)
The 40mm Pro Diver is the cheapest alternative to the Submariner you can find in the market.
The Pro Diver features an automatic Japanese movement, a mineral crystal, a magnified date window, luminescent markers and hands, a Mercedes-style hour hand, an exhibition case back, and a black dial and bezel.
Pros:
- A solid 120-click bezel that has no play
- Okay build for its affordable price
- You can manually wind the watch by rotating the crown
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Mineral crystal gets easily scratched
- Band is flimsy
- Water may seep into the watch
Steinhart Ocean 1 Black
The 42mm Ocean 1 Black bears the closest resemblance to the Rolex Submariner with its black dial, luminescent markers and hands, Mercedes hour hand, magnified date window, and a unidirectional bezel.
Pros:
- For its price, this is an excellent alternative you can take on your water sports activities
- The versatile design that’s suitable to wear on any occasion
- Water resistant up to 300m
Cons
- The reflective
- The surface may make it difficult to read time
- Lume is not that bright
- Bracelet is a little lightweight to be used underwater
Squale 20 Atmos
The 44.5mm automatic watch from Squale features an ETA 2824-2 Swiss movement, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a unidirectional bezel, a black dial, a magnified date window, luminescent markers and hands, a Mercedes-style hour hand, and a SuperLuminova pip at the 12 o’clock portion of the bezel.
Pros:
- Excellent glow in the dark function
- Power reserve of up to 42 hours
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Bezel and crystal can easily get scratched
- A bit pricey for an alternative timepiece
- Bracelet feels a little light to be used in diving activities
Panerai Luminor
The Panerai has its origins from the World War II when the watch was used by the Italian Navy.
Many of the prototype’s features are retained and infused in today’s Panerai collection.
Aside from its unique square-like design, it’s most notable features are the crown-protecting mechanism and the power reserve that can last up to 3 days.
It also has a polished steel bezel, a subdial at the 9 o’clock position, and luminescent hands and markers.
Here’s the best Panerai Luminor alternative you can find in the market.
Parnis Marina Militare + GMT + Chronograph models
If you love Panerai then the Parnis selection is an amazing collection of Panerai homage watches.
You have the GMT, Militare and Chronograph models which really looks and feel great for the budget watch collector.
The Parnis watches run a Seagull 3600 movement and have a mineral crystal, a stainless steel case with the choice of traditional Pam watch straps.
Pros:
- Good strap quality
- Sturdy built that’s good for everyday use
- Incredibly affordable alternative watch
Cons:
- Quite heavy to wear
- May gain time every day
- Poor lume brightness
- Water-resistant up to 30m only
Final Conclusion
Getting your hands on a timepiece that looks like a luxury watch shouldn’t be a problem on your end.
There are many alternative and homage watches that closely resemble the luxury watches you’ve been aspiring to have.
You can purchase these homage watches for the meantime while you save money to buy that coveted luxury timepiece.
