Looking for cheaper and similar watches to the Rolex Submariner in 2023 then these homages should be at the top of your list.
The Rolex Submariner is a true icon in the watch collector industry and many people resort to the purchase of this watch to dedicated the results of hard work and years of determination for success.
The Rolex Submariner already has a place in history for being one of the most iconic watches ever made.
The predecessor of the Submariner appeared in the 1960s when the watch still worked perfectly despite being submerged into the Mariana Trench inside a bathysphere.
Although the Submariner has a sporty, military-like design, it can be worn on any occasion because of its simple color tones.
The 40mm Submariner’s modest design is packed with features useful for a scuba diver:
- Water resistance up to 300m
- A screw-down crown
- Luminous dots that function as hour markers
- A triangle on the 12 o’clock position
- A Cyclops date window on the 3 o’clock position
- A ceramic unidirectional bezel
- Stainless steel case and band
David Beckham, Ashton Kutcher, and Adam Levine are some of the celebrities who wear a Rolex Submariner.
The timepiece was also used in several James Bond movies, adding to its popularity at that time.
The Submariner’s versatility and functionality have attracted a lot of attention not only from collectors and users but also from other manufacturers.
No wonder you can find a lot of homage and alternative watches that look like the Rolex Submariner in the market.
Rolex Submariner Homage Review Alternatives
Here are the most popular alternative and homage watches for the Royal Oak.
Parnis / Fanmis / Reginald Submariner
The 40mm Submariner homage watches from these brands feature a date window, stainless steel bands, luminescent hands and markers, and a unidirectional corrugated bezel just like the Rolex Submariner.
Pros:
- Incredibly inexpensive Rolex Submariner look-alike
- Tells time accurately
- Water-resistant up to 30m
Cons:
- Cheap quality
- Band easily breaks loose
- More of splash-resistant than water-resistant
Casio MDV106-1A
This gigantic 44mm Rolex tribute watch from Casio features a unidirectional corrugated bezel, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, a sleek black dial, and a resin strap.
Pros:
- Good quality and solid build that surpasses its inexpensive price tag
- Large diameter and markers make it a superb diving accessory
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Date window may be too small to read for some users
Invicta Mako 8926OB Pro Diver
The 40mm Mako Pro Diver is an automatic watch that features a magnified date window, luminescent markers and hands, and a corrugated bezel that moves only in one direction.
Pros:
- Affordable watch that looks exactly like a Rolex Submariner
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Inaccurate hand movements
- Stiff bezel
- Weak lume
- Water and moisture may seep inside the watch
- Color fades on some variants
Alpha Submariner
The 40mm Rolex tribute watch from Alpha features a magnified date window, a unidirectional bezel, luminescent markers and hands, and a stainless steel case.
The Alpha Submariner has colored bezels available in green, blue, and black variants.
Pros:
- Fairly good polished design
- Water-resistant up to 30m
Cons:
- Not good for diving
- Bracelet is of cheap quality
Orient Ray II
This 41mm is an automatic watch that looks like a Rolex Submariner with its unidirectional corrugated bezel, a day-date window, luminescent hands and markers, and a stainless steel bracelet.
Pros:
- Accurate hand movements
- Solid built that’s good for rigorous activities
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Hand winding needed
- Crown may get stuck when turned
Seiko 5 Sea Urchin
This 42mm Sea Urchin is a Rolex tribute watch features a similar oyster-style band and a 120-click unidirectional corrugated bezel that’s available in different colors.
Aside from these, the Sea Urchin has a Hardlex crystal, large luminescent markers and hands, a Seiko 7S36 self-winding automatic movement, and a day-date window at the 3 o’clock position.
Pros:
- Aesthetically versatile to be worn on any occasion
- Good quality at an affordable price
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- May start losing or gaining seconds after months of use
- Glow-in-the-dark function lasts only for 2 hours
- Not really for scuba diving
Citizen Promaster
This 45mm Rolex Submariner look-alike features a unidirectional bezel, luminescent markers and hands, a date window, a scratch resistant crystal, a black dial, and an Eco-drive quartz movement.
Pros:
- Easy to read because of its size and large markers
- Light-powered so it doesn’t need a battery to run
- Water-resistant up to 200m, making it an excellent dive watch
Cons:
- Date window is too small
Stuhrling Regatta 792
The Regatta 792 is a 42mm watch that looks like the Rolex Submariner with its unidirectional bezel, magnified date window, luminous markers, and Rolex-style hands.
It also has a Krysterna crystal, a Miyota movement, and a stainless steel bracelet.
Pros:
- Closely resembles the Rolex Submariner, down to the Mercedes hands
- Impressive finish and good quality
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Winding mechanism is flimsy
Deep Blue Master 1000
This 44mm watch that looks like a Rolex Submariner features a stainless steel case, a 120-click unidirectional bezel, a sapphire crystal, a date window, Superluminova hands and hour markers, and a helium release valve.
Its dial and bezel are available in various color combinations.
Pros:
- Sweeping hand movement fits the style of the watch
- Solid diving watch for its price
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Date window is too small to see
Bulova Marine Star 98B203
The 43mm Marine Star is definitely a Rolex tribute watch with its clean design, black dial, unidirectional black bezel with white markings, luminescent hands and markers, and a date window at the 3 o’clock position.
The Marine Star also features a Japanese quartz movement.
Pros:
- Clean design makes everything easy to read
- Good quality for its price
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Crystal is not as resistant to scratches as the manufacturer claims it to be
- Bracelet feels cheap
Shield Costeau
The 44mm Costeau has a unidirectional stainless steel bezel, a black dial with luminous markers and hands, a scratch-resistant sapphire, a magnified date window, and a Quartz movement.
Although it has a suede leather strap, its overall design confirms that it’s a Rolex tribute watch.
Pros:
- Its size makes it easy to read the time
- Water-resistant up to 500m
Cons:
- Would have been better if it had a NATO or stainless steel strap
Steinheart Ocean 1
The 42mm Ocean 1 is one of the best Rolex tribute watches for its design and quality.
The Ocean 1 has a unidirectional corrugated bezel that has a ceramic insert, a screw-down crown, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, and an ETA 2824-2 Elaboré movement.
Pros:
- Design, feel, and quality make it the best Rolex Submariner look-alike
- Lume used is quick to charge and has a long-lasting glow
- Power reserve of up to 40 hours
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Bracelet is a little flimsy for the watch
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto
The Khaki Navy Scuba is a 40mm automatic watch that looks like a Rolex in the sense that they both have a unidirectional bezel, a Swiss movement, luminescent hands and markers, and a black dial.
What makes the Navy Scuba unique is its date window located at the 4:30 position and a second hand that’s colored red at the tip.
Pros:
- Solid clicks on the bezel with no play
- Power reserve of up to 80 hours
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Hand movements are a bit faster than usual
- Dial looks too busy
Heritor Pytheas
The 41mm Pytheas is a Rolex Submariner look-alike with a few design features that make it a unique timepiece.
Aside from the unidirectional bezel, luminous Mercedes hands, magnified date window, and luminescent markers that are similar to the Submariner, the Pytheas has a crown lock that looks entirely different from any other homage watches out there.
Pros:
- Sturdy built for everyday use
- Power reserve of up to 42 hours
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Watch may gain more than a minute every week
Raymond Weil Tango
The 42mm Raymond Weil Tango features a unidirectional bezel, screw-down crown, quartz movement, scratch-resistant sapphire, a date window, and luminous hands and markers.
Its black dial is designed with concentric circles, making it a unique accessory despite being a watch that looks like a Rolex Submariner.
Pros:
- Good quality and classy design
- Available in different bezel colors
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- The date window is not magnified, making it hard to read
Squale 1545
The Squale 1545 is a 40mm Rolex Submariner look-alike that features a black dial and a black ceramic, grooved bezel that moves only in one direction.
Aside from these, the watch also has a magnified date window, luminescent markers and hands, and an ETA 2824-2 Swiss automatic movement.
Pros:
- Power reserve of up to 42 hours
- Date window is magnified 2.5x for easier reading
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Lume must be exposed to sunlight for a long time for a brighter glow
Glycine Combat Sub 42
The Combat Sub series features a 42mm automatic watch with GL224 Swiss movement, a unidirectional bezel, Super-LumiNova® C1 lume on hands and markers, a date window, and a flat sapphire with over 3 layers of anti-reflective material for a clearer view.
The series is available in different lume colors and bracelet styles.
Pros:
- High-quality Rolex Submariner look-alike
- Sturdy build that’s designed to withstand harsh conditions
- A 48mm variant is also available in the collection
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- None
Mido Ocean Star Captain
The 42.5mm Rolex Submariner look-alike features a day-date window, luminous rectangular markers, luminescent hands with a modern design, Swiss movement, and a thinner unidirectional bezel.
The Ocean Star collection is available in different dial and bezel colors, as well as different strap styles.
Pros:
- Clean design that suits any outfit
- Power reserve of up to 80 hours
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- There are other watches with better features within the same price range as the Ocean Star
Certina DS Action Diver Powermatic 80
The Powermatic 80 is a 43mm timepiece that features a unidirectional bezel, a black dial, luminescent markers and hands, and a stainless steel bracelet, making it a watch that looks a lot like the Rolex Submariner.
The biggest difference is its date window that’s situated at the 4:30 position.
Pros:
- Excellent quality for its price
- Available in different color variants
- Power reserve of up to 80 hours
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Date may be hard to read because it’s not magnified
Deep Blue Master 500
The 42mm Deep Blue Master 500 features a more modern design with its hand and hour markings available in different colors.
However, you can still see why this watch looks like a Rolex Submariner with its date window, unidirectional bezel, and stainless steel bracelet.
The Master 500 is powered by a Sellita Caliber SW200 movement.
Pros:
- Modern design and color variety adds flare to the typical Submariner look
- Water-resistant up to 500m
Cons:
- There are more known and more reliable brands in this price range
Davosa Ternos
The 42mm Ternos is an obvious Rolex watch tribute with its unidirectional ceramic bezel and luminous hands that feature the Mercedes logo.
The Ternos also has luminescent markers, a stainless steel band, a date window, and a DAV 3021 movement.
Pros:
- Available in different dial and bezel colors
- Variants with magnified and unmagnified date window are available
- A true diver’s watch with water resistance rating up to 500m
Cons:
- Gains or loses a few seconds every day
Seiko Prospex SBDC051
The 42.5mm Prospex is an excellent Rolex tribute watch with its large unidirectional bezel, black dial, and stainless steel built similar to that of the Submariner.
The Prospex also has a date window, large luminescent hands and markers, a curved sapphire crystal, and a Calibre 6R15 movement.
Pros:
- Excellent lume brightness
- Made of high-quality materials
- Power reserve of up to 50 hours
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- None
Longines HydroConquest
This mid-range Rolex Submariner look-alike is a 41mm automatic timepiece with a stainless steel case, a unidirectional bezel, a sapphire crystal, a black dial, a stainless steel bracelet, and a Longines Calibre L619/888 movement.
It also features a date window and luminescent hands and markers.
Pros:
- It’s also available in different dial colors
- Power reserve of up to 64 hours
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Bracelet and clasp could have been better
Oris Aquis
The 43.5mm Oris Aquis is a Rolex tribute watch but has design features that make it a unique timepiece on its own.
It has a unidirectional bezel, a date window at the 6 o’clock position, a see-through case back, scratch-resistant sapphire, luminous hands and markers, and an Oris Calibre 733 movement.
The watch is also available in black or blue sunburst dial colors.
Pros:
- Solid build with a modern, elegant design
- Power reserve of up to 38 hours
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Date window is too small
Oris Hammerhead
Although it sports a different feel and has several additional features compared to the Submariner, the Hammerhead is a 100% Rolex tribute watch.
This massive 45.5mm timepiece has a unidirectional bezel, a clean black dial, luminescent hands and markers, a day-date window, and a Calibre 752 movement.
Pros:
- Luxurious polished design
- Power reserve of up to 38 hours
- Water-resistant up to 500m
Cons:
- Gains a few seconds a day
Tag Heuer Aquaracer
The 43mm Aquaracer features a scratch-resistant sapphire, a magnified date window, a dodecagonal bezel, chunky luminescent hands and markers, a stainless steel case, and a Tag Heuer Calibre 5 movement.
It’s available in different bezel colors, dial hues, and strap styles.
Pros:
- Excellent quality and classy design
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- None
Bell & Ross Diver
The 42mm Bell & Ross Diver is an interesting Rolex Submariner tribute watch because of the rectangular stainless steel case where the whole timepiece sits.
The Bell & Ross Diver features a unidirectional bezel, luminescent hands and markers, a date window at the 4:30 position, and a BR-CAL.302 movement.
It’s available in blue, bronze, and black variant colors.
Pros:
- Comes with a durable synthetic strap
- Sturdy and sports a vintage look
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Date window is too small to read
Omega Seamaster Professional
The 41mm Seamaster Professional is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a Rolex Submariner look-alike.
The Seamaster features an Omega Calibre 2500 movement, luminous skeleton hands, luminescent hour markers, a unidirectional scalloped bezel, and a date window.
Pros:
- A luxury watch with outstanding quality, design, and functionality
- Power reserve of up to 48 hours
- Water-resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- None
Tudor Black Bay
The 41mm Tudor Black Bay is a Rolex tribute watch that’s powered with a Tudor Calibre MT5602 movement.
The timepiece features a scratch-resistant sapphire, luminous hands and hour markers, a unidirectional bezel, and a stainless steel case and bracelet.
Pros:
- Available in different color variants
- Excellent quality, sturdy built, and classy design
- Power reserve of up to 70 hours
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- No date window
Breitling Superocean II 42
The 42mm Superocean II is an automatic watch that features a Breitling Calibre 17 movement, a scratch-resistant sapphire, a date window, luminous hands, and Arabic numeral markers.
What sets it apart from just being a watch that looks like a Rolex Submariner is its stainless steel bracelet with a twisted design.
Pros:
- Superior quality and design
- Power reserve of up to 42 hours
- Water-resistant up to 500m
Cons:
- Too much noise on the dial
Tudor Pelagos
The 42mm Pelagos is an obvious Rolex tribute watch that runs on a Tudor Calibre MT5612 movement.
Similar to the Submariner, the Pelagos has a unidirectional luminescent bezel, luminous hands and markers, and a date window.
What makes it stand out is its titanium built compared to the stainless steel material used on the Submariner.
Pros:
- Rubber straps included in the package
- Zero play on the bezel
- Power reserve of up to 70 hours
- Water-resistant up to 500m
Cons:
- Small date window although it’s still visible
Conclusion
The Rolex Submariner is a classic that already has a place in the history of watches.
Its iconic design has been copied by hundreds of watch manufacturers and has put their own styles to create unique models that can be considered alternatives more readily available to a wider audience.
There are many homage watches that look like the Rolex Submariner sold at a more affordable price.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, consider any of our recommendations above.
