14 Watches That Look Like Rolex: What Are the Best Rolex Lookalike Watches?

No watch brand has fueled the homage market as much as Rolex has.

I always say that the Submariner is the dive that launched a thousand tributes.

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This is good news for those of us who are interested in affordable alternatives. A strong Rolex look-alike can often even stand on its own. After all, even luxury watchmakers regularly riff on the same classic styles. 

Whether you’re looking for a Rolex twin as a place-holder until you get your grail or you just want something a little different, we’ve lined up affordable aesthetic alternatives, one for every Rolex model.

14 Best Rolex Lookalike Watches in 2021

Best Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Alternative: Bulova Lunar Pilot

The Bulova Lunar Pilot may lack the Swiss horological chops of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, but it makes up for it in lore. While they both famously lost to the Omega Speedmaster during NASA’s 1962 qualification tests, the Bulova did make it to the moon.

During the Apollo 15 lunar mission, Commander Dave Scott’s Speedmaster broke, so he instead relied on his Bulova—which later went for 1.6million on auction. NASA had a deal with Omega so Bulova couldn’t capitalize on this for years.

Today the Lunar Pilot is officially dubbed Bulova’s Moonwatch. It’s Speedy’s pinch-hitter.

Spec-wise it boasts their exclusive 262 kHz quartz movement which is known for laser precision, a 45mm case, sapphire crystal, and super luminous hands.

Best Rolex Submariner Alternative: Invicta Pro Diver

I treat trying to find the best Sub alternative like holy ground. There are so many to choose from and everyone has a favorite. Today, our vote goes to the Invicta Pro Diver (8926OB) because of its attention to detail. 

Like the Submariner, the Invicta Pro Diver features a unidirectional bezel, circular indices except for the triangular 12-hour and rectangular 6 and 9, and a date cyclops. Both feature the Mercedes hour hand and lollipop second hand. With a case diameter of 40mm, the Invicta is also close in size.

This watch is a classic homage, taking few liberties, and rebuilding the Submariner’s iconic construction with reasonable materials. If you’re looking for an affordable Sub look-alike that has a following outside of its homage roots, we recommend the Orient Ray II. The Invicta Pro Diver though, is definitely aesthetically closer.

Best Rolex GMT-Master II Alternative: Tag Heuer Aquaracer Caliber 7 GMT

Though north of a grand, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer GMT is an effective middle-ground. It sits between budget choices, like the sexy Q Timex Reissue, and high-end choices, like the popular Tudor Black Bay GMT. While undeniably well-built, I don’t think the Black Bay is much more affordable than a pre-owned Rolex (Tudor’s sister company).

Tag Heuer gives us a solid, albeit entry-level, watch with this Aquaracer. Its caliber 7 is reliable with a respectable 46-hour power reserve, its crystal is scratch-resistant sapphire, and like the Rolex GMT-Master II you can tell time in two different time zones using the bezel and GMT hand.

It’s more athletic looking than the Rolex GMT. The case is a 12-sided polygon instead of a perfect circle and the face features racing stripes for a rugged and frenetic riff on the original design.

Best Rolex Explorer Alternative: Longines Conquest

Longines is another Swiss luxury watchmaker with its own respectable heritage. The Longines Conquest (L3.776.4.58.6) is visually similar to the Rolex Explorer, with just some variation. Still, the Conquest features a Swiss automatic movement, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a screw down crown. 

The Explorer is obviously a more premium watch. However, there are several qualities that make the Conquest pretty luxurious: It has a higher power reserve at 64 hours vs the Explorer’s 48, it has 300m water resistance vs the Explorer’s 100m, and it comes in more sizes and colors.

If you love the Explorer aesthetic, but want something bigger than the 39mm, look no further than the Conquest’s 41mm option.

Best Rolex Sea-Dweller Alternative: Oceaneva Deep Marine 

If you’re looking for a Rolex Sea-Dweller alternative, it’s likely you’re looking for features as well as aesthetic. The Oceaneva Deep Marine is an effective second-string, made by a US-based watchmaker specializing in 1000m water resistant dives.

The Deep Marine looks a lot like the Sea-Dweller, featuring applied markers and a ceramic bezel. The most noticeable difference is its trademark black mother of pearl face. 

Though it’s lower market than its source material, this dive watch isn’t necessarily a low market watch. It features 1250m water resistance, which is 50m deeper than the Sea-Dweller. Additionally, its lume is strong and its screw down crown is triple sealing and exceedingly grippable. Basically, the Deep Marine features everything you need for actual deep sea diving.

This brand is pretty under-the-radar, which makes this watch a unique option.

Best Rolex Oyster Perpetual Alternative: Seiko SARB035

The Seiko SARB035’s aesthetic similarities with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual may have more to do with the fact they’re both timeless dress watches. Even if it wasn’t purposeful, the similarities are undeniable.

The main difference—the SARB035’s date window—doesn’t take away from the overall simple and elegant look because it’s so small. Some may even say the SARB035’s sword hands are sleeker than the Oyster Perpetual’s rectangular sticks.

The SARB035 has several high-quality features including 23-jewel hand winding and hacking automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve, a sapphire crystal, and 100m of water resistance.

Best Rolex Datejust Alternative: Seiko Quartz SGF204 

The Seiko Quartz SGF204 looks nearly identical to the popular Rolex Datejust 41 Yellow Rolesor. If you’re looking for an automatic, there are some Datejust alternatives in the Seiko 5 collection that are hard to come by or will be missing some key design elements like the pie-pan bezel.

This Seiko hits the mark on basically every design feature including the color, the hour markers, and the bracelet style. The biggest difference is its day/date. As a quartz watch that isn’t actually constructed with precious metals though, this homage is purely aesthetic.

Best Rolex Sky-Dweller Alternative: Stuhrling Northstar GMT

The Rolex Sky-Dweller is infamously un-homageable because of its excess complications. We chose the Stuhrling Northstar GMT as an aesthetic cousin, due to its busy and layered face.

Compared to the black Sky-Dweller, this watch features the same color scheme complete with small red accents. As far as design components, the Northstar GMT’s hands and hour indices are the exact same shape as the Sky-Dweller’s and they each feature a date cyclops.

The most important quality though is the Stuhrling’s dual time zone subdial. It’s placed more centered than the Sky-Dweller’s subdial is, but it still brings it all together aesthetically.

Of course, being in the under $160 range, the Northstar won’t feature the premium functions and construction as the Rolex Sky-Dweller, but most of the look is there.

Best Rolex Day-Date Alternative: Peugeot Day Date

Like the Datejust and the Seiko SGF204, the Peugeot Day Date is a purely visual homage to the Rolex Day-Date, but boy are they similar!

It hits all the design marks flawlessly: The fluted bezel, Roman numerals, and most importantly, the 12-hour placement of the fully spelled-out day. The Peugeot even replicates the prestigious President style bracelet and lug style. 

All of these qualities on a 14k gold-plated construction with a lifetime warranty makes for a solid homage.

Best Rolex Pearlmaster Alternative: Bulova Phantom Swarovski Crystals

Today’s Rolex Pearlmaster is decked with diamonds from top to bottom. If you look closely though, you’ll notice that the design is a harmonious pattern, with purposeful movement and size variations among the gems. The Bulova Phantom with Swarovski Crystals does something similar, albeit with much lower priced gems.

This watch features 447 crystals on a stainless steel construction. Swarovski crystals aren’t as precious as diamonds, but the Bulova Phantom achieves a similar look-at-me bling. Moreover, the Phantom is a lot bigger with a 42mm case compared to the Pearlmaster’s 39mm.

Best Rolex Cellini Alternative: Seiko Presage Manhattan Cocktail

The Rolex Cellini was inspired by Renaissance goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, so an effective alternative must have the same texture and color palette as the original. Enter the Seiko Presage Manhattan Cocktail, SRPB46J1. 

It features long slender indices and a pattern of lines on the dial that all point straight into the center, just like its Rolex sibling. The gold case and the croco-leather embossed strap complete the Cellino look.

If the Cellini Dual Time or the Cellini Date is more your style, this sundial-embedded version of the Presage is a great option.

Best Rolex Yacht-Master Alternative: Parnis Yachtmaster

Coming from a literal homage maker, the Parnis Yachtmaster is another option that sticks close to the original Rolex Yacht-Master’s design. The most important quality is the Parnis’s robust bezel with 3-dimensional numbers—a defining Yacht-Master characteristic.

While the Parnis is only water resistant at 50m, it does boast some decent features including a sapphire crystal, a unidirectional ceramic bezel, and a self-winding 21-jewel automatic movement.

Best Rolex Milgauss Alternative: Benyar Explorer

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Out of all the homages, the Benyar Explorer is the most like its source material, displaying not a single design difference from the Rolex Milgauss. 

The space between the bezel top and the dial is deep, making the crystal look super thick, a quality that Milgauss fans love. 

Of course, Benyar can’t employ Rolex’s proprietary green sapphire crystal, which is used exclusively on Milgauss watches. They did, however, create a green watch mirror that’s scratch-resistant and color-fast. The subtle green makes the face and edges appear nearly fluorescent. This detail proves that Benyar really cares about making a good homage.

Best Rolex Air-King Alternative: Citizen NJ0100

The Rolex Air-King is an homage to aviation defined mainly, if not only, by the superlative numbers on the face. It’s otherwise a simple, understated timepiece, just like the Citizen NJ0100. 

Citizen is a workhorse brand, known for bang-for-buck tool watches. It makes sense that they’d build one of the only justifiable Air-King homages out there. Air-Kings are excellent watches, but notoriously nondescript.

The Citizen NJ0100 is also much bigger with an oval-cased shape.

Rolex Overview: What Makes Rolex Watches So Appealing?

With Rolex, you get to own a genuinely high-quality watch and also be part of a fabled world. The Swiss brand isn’t legendary just because of its long list of famous ambassadors. Long before Bond’s iconic Submariner in Dr. No, Rolex watches were always made with topnotch horological skill and artistry.

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Ever since they invented the first waterproof watch in 1926, Rolex has had a proven track record of innovations. Even today, they boast several qualities that make them a superior brand.

Rolex Movements

The in-house automatic movements that Rolex builds are one of the main features that makes a Rolex watch a Rolex. They’re precise and durable, and they continue to fashion their exclusive calibers even as many luxury brands outsource their movements.

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If it weren’t for Rolex’s success and esteem, there likely wouldn’t even be a traditional watch market.

Exclusivity

No, we’re not referring to the intimidation factor or expensive prices here.

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Rolex has patented over 500 in-house innovations. This means that when you buy a Rolex watch, you’re literally paying for something, or multiple things, no other watchmaker can give you.

Genuine Quality

One of their patents is their Oystersteel, which is a leveled-up stainless steel much shinier and tougher than the 316L stainless steel often used by high-end brands. 

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Rolex watches are also subject to rigorous testing by the COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute), which ensures durability and accuracy in high-pressure conditions.

These are just two reasons, of many, as to why a Rolex watch can last forever. This also makes them a great investment piece.

Memorable Design

Today’s Submariner isn’t that visually different from the one that debuted in 1953. The fact that your grandfather would recognize your Rolex based on the one he wore decades prior is a contributing factor to why their designs are so iconic.

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It’s also why their designs have inspired so many homages.

Which Rolex Alternative is Right For You? 

Each affordable alternative recaptures the aesthetic of its Rolex counterpart in different ways.

The Benyar, the Parnis, the Peugeot, and the Invicta, for example, are direct design twins of the Milgauss, Day-Date, Sea-Dweller, and the Submariner, respectively.

Then you have watches like the Tag Heuer Aquaracer and the Longines Conquest, which are visually similar to the GMT-Master II and the Explorer, and come from other luxury Swiss brands, be they lower market.

Since diamond bedazzled watches don’t alway hold their value, the Bulova Phantom may even be a more practical option over the Pearlmaster in the long run.

I love the Bulova Lunar Pilot. It’s a great alternative to the Cosmograph Daytona, and even the Omega Speedmaster, at a fraction of the cost, with just as much historical importance.

Through affordable alternatives, there are many ways for you to enjoy Rolex’s iconic designs without breaking the bank.