The classic
Rolex Submariner is an iconic timepiece with rich history. From being one of the first dive watches in the world, to being the first watch of choice for Sean Connery’s James Bond, The Submariner has enjoyed wide mainstream appeal and continues to be a leader in the mid-luxury dive watch genre, with a legendary status not reached by any other dive watch.
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The mass appeal of this watch transcends time, however the watch is priced a little out of reach (most over $5000) for many shopping for watches. This has lead to some shady watchmakers releasing Rolex Submariner "Replicas" to cash in on the demand for the watch. These replicas are fake copies of the original, and more often than not, the quality is so substandard that it bears little resemblance to the authentic Rolex. The materials used are second rate at best, and the watch movements yield less than desirable results, with very poor accuracy and power reserves. Some of these watchmakers have identified many issues and addressed them, and replicas are approaching better quality with some even using ETA movements. This results in more and more people opting for replicas. There is an undeniable stigma in buying what is an essentially fake watch. If it’s not a real Rolex, why bother? There are other, better economical ways to acquire a quality dive watch having similar features without resorting to fakes.
Enter the "Homages." These watches are not imitations or trying to pass themselves off as a Rolex, rather they are quality dive watches with design influences from the Rolex Submariner line. These influences range from similar to almost identical. Below is a list of very affordable (sometimes less than $100!) Submariner influenced watches that would make excellent additions to any dive watch collection.
Invicta Pro Diver 8926C (Article Continues Below)
This watch usually retails for less than $100. It bears a striking resemblance to the Rolex Submariner, from size to styling. The 8926C is the one with the coin edge bezel that closely resembles the Submariner while the regular 8926 has a scalloped bezel more closely resembling the Omega Seamaster. The watch has a Miyota 21 jewel automatic movement, known as a workhorse with very good accuracy. The see through caseback provides a pleasant exhibition of the movement in action and the 200m water resistance is more than acceptable for this price range.
Débaufré Ocean 1
Probably the best Submariner-like watch of the list. This is an actual Swiss watch, and the quality of a Swiss made timepiece can not be denied. It features a 25 jewel swiss ETA movement and AR coated scratch resistant sapphire crystal (the others mentioned only offer mineral crystal) as well as 300m water resistance. Retailing at $465 (but can be found for less), this is the highest priced watch on this list, but still a fraction of the retail price for a Rolex Sub… With high quality components and Swiss watchmaking standards, this watch is close to the real deal but won’t break the bank.
Orient 2ER
The Orient is another excellent example of a Rolex style inspired dive watch. It features an in house automatic movement known for its out of the box accuracy. Water resistance is only at 100m, but this should not be a huge factor for most people looking for a reasonably priced watch of this nature. You can find this watch for around $150. Some people feel the bezel lacks the solid feel of other dive watches, but it is by no means a deal breaker.
Alpha 1993
At around $65, this is one of the least expensive Submariner homages with an automatic movement. A solid timepiece to be sure, this dive watch is an excellent option for those just entering the automatic watch arena and testing the waters so to speak. The movement is not as solid as the above mentioned, but with price being a factor, this watch is a beauty of a deal, and it is rated at 300m water resistance! Besides, most owners cite that the watch keeps time within COSC spec.
Timex T29781
At less than $45, this watch is a winner. While water resistance is only at 50m, this is usually enough for casual diving watch wearers. The bracelet is also not as substantial as any of the watches mentioned above, and the movement is Quartz, not automatic. However, for the money, it is an excellent Submariner styled watch that is sure to be as durable as most Timex watches.
While many more Submariner styled watches exist, this list covers some of the more well known watches that offer great value – most features for the best price. Shopping online for a
dive watch is your best bet, as you will be able to see pictures and video while also comparing features, design, and of course, prices. Happy hunting, or, errr… diving!
