Get the Luxury Look for Less with These Watch Alternatives!

If you’re anything like us, we could spend hours gazing at beautiful luxury watches. The problem is most luxury watches cost so much that the only thing we can spend on them is time. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of affordable alternatives to some of our favorite luxury watches.

Before we get started, let’s clarify: what does “affordable” mean? We all have different budgetary concerns when it comes to buying a wristwatch. After all, for some of us, we’d rather choose a $10 watch and invest the money elsewhere, and that’s perfectly fine.

There’s no denying, though, that the desire to own an iconic luxury watch can be powerful, and it’s certainly something that we appreciate. So, if you can afford a $10,000 Rolex or a Patek Philippe that’s the price of a house, then that’s awesome as well.

For many of us, investing in luxury watches has become something of a daydream, and it’s something that might not ever happen. So, with affordability at the top of our goal here, this is how we’re going to do things today.

First, we’ll name an iconic luxury watch, and then, we will talk about some affordable alternatives – some at the thousand dollar budget and some that are sub-500. We really want to cater to different levels of what our viewers can and can’t afford.

And just to make this clear, we’re not going to tell you to buy a replica. It’s something that we don’t stand for and something that I don’t feel you should support. After all, the term “replica” is actually just a fake watch and it’s something that we certainly don’t recommend. And because many fakes hover around this price point that we’re going to talk about today, we would highly recommend buying a watch that is an alternative and not a fake.

Watch #1: Rolex Submariner ($8,900 – 10,000)

Our first watch is the Rolex Submariner. With an MSRP of around $8,900 to $10,000, if you can get them at retail, the Rolex Submariner is an iconic piece synonymous with luxury.

That being said, Rolex is known as a status symbol of wealth and luxury, so it’s really interesting that their most iconic watch is actually meant to be a tool watch. You can’t argue the Submariner’s appeal as a functional dive watch, which is why it might be one of the most copied designs out there. So, we wanted to pick a few examples of watches that really give you a good bang-per-buck while honoring the Submariner’s heritage and look.

Oris Sixty Five – MSRP $1,500 – $2,000

So, first is the Oris 65 with the MSRP sitting around $2,000, but you can find these gently used for $1,200 to $1,500, maybe less. This is a little bit over the budget that we established, but this is a personal favorite. It’s the watch that got me into luxury watches because of how good it looks. In fact, I’d argue if you have a smaller wrist, the Oris might be a better choice for you as it has a much thinner case than the Rolex Submariner.

It has a slimmer bezel, unique colors, and an overall smaller design and proportion than the Submariner. And hey, you get it at like a quarter of the price.

Seiko Prospex Diver – MSRP $300 -$500

If rugged utility is something you’re looking for, then you really can’t go much further than Seiko dive watches at their price point. Seiko divers, especially this example from the Prospex line, come in a variety of dial colors, bezel colors, and sizes.

With 300-meter water resistance, you get a great value for $300 to $500 bucks. This is the watch that you can wear with a lot of casual ensembles every day and not have to worry about it if you get it wet.

Baltic Aquascaphe – MSRP $600

One more watch that we’ll throw in here is the Baltic Aquascaphe. At around $600, it has the vintage charm of the Oris 65 and really looks a lot like a Rolex Submariner and pays a lot of nod to classic Submariner design.

Watch #2: Cartier Tank ($2,900 – 3,500)

Next up on our list is a watch that really needs no introduction. It has an iconic shape and look and that’s the Cartier Tank. This one was actually a little bit challenging because the retail price on a Cartier Tank isn’t as high as you would think it was.

The MSRP and the secondhand value usually hangs around $2,900 to $3,500, but we understand that not everyone has $3,000 to spend, so let’s look at some alternatives.

Longines Dolce Vita – MSRP $1700

For under half the price of the Cartier Tank, you could be the proud owner of a Longines Dolce Vita. Longines is actually a really interesting brand with a really rich history. 

If you look at the two side-by-side, blued hands, Roman hour markers, and the rectangular case make these two very comparable. Really, the Longines has it all.

Seiko SUP880 – MSRP $110

Thankfully, rectangular watches are not only super wearable, but they’re also pretty popular. So, we were split when it came to the choice under $500. We’ve chosen the Seiko SUP880 watch, particularly for the gold tone used in the case. After all, Cartier Tank watches in gold look fantastic. But, at a price point of around $10,000, that’s just out of a lot of people’s reach. Therefore, with this Seiko, you can enjoy the look of a gold Cartier and still have thousands in the bank.

Rotary Cambridge – MSRP $260

For another alternative to Cartier, we would recommend looking at Rotary, especially their Cambridge model. Much like Longines, Rotary has a rich history as a Swiss brand, and they can be a nice place to look for some luxury alternatives. What’s great about this model is it’s not trying to be the Cartier one-to-one, but it takes some design cues and has a really nicer look. 

Maurice Lacroix Reserve de Marche – MSRP $2500

Lastly, for one higher option at the thousand-dollar price point, we would recommend this Maurice Lacroix Reserve de Marche. This is a bit of a bigger watch, it works well on my wrist. It’s really cool. It has a silver dial, that rectangular shape, and it has a power reserve indicator.

This is a watch that I hadn’t seen before, but Federico over at Delray Watch had one in the shop, and I thought it fit the criteria really well. They aren’t sponsoring this post, but they often send us watches to help us out in our watch content, and we give our thanks to them for that!

Watch #3: Omega Speedmaster ($6,300 – 7,150)

Next up is a personal favorite of mine – the Omega Speedmaster. In fact, my first feature on the Gentleman’s Gazette was about this watch, and we answered the question of if it was worth it.

Suffice it to say, the Speedmaster’s heritage and history of being the “moon watch” makes it highly desirable. And while its unique design can be tricky to find alternatives, we found some. 

Bulova Lunar Pilot – MSRP $300 – $600

The best example I can think of is the Bulova Lunar Pilot. This watch gives you the look and feel of the Omega, and it brings you a little bit closer to the moon. It has a similar look to the Speedmaster, and although the chronograph pushers are integrated more into the case, it shares a lot of the same design language.

The colors and the subdials are the same, and it even has a tachymeter bezel just like the Speedmaster. And depending on the kit that you buy, they come with the Velcro strap just like the NASA astronauts used.

Omega X Swatch Mission to the Moon – MSRP – $260

If you’re looking at an affordable alternative to the Omega Speedmaster, then you can get…this Omega Speedmaster, which is from a recent collaboration between Omega and Swatch! It’s called the “MoonSwatch,” which incorporates much of the Speedmaster’s design details with some really unique colors in a quartz movement, keeping it affordable.

This collection comes in a variety of colors like blue and yellow, and pink, as well as the iconic black. So, with the thousands that you would save off of a Speedmaster Professional, you could buy two of these.

Watch #4: Patek Phillipe Calatrava ($21,000+)

Our fourth watch is often seen as the pinnacle of dress watches – the Patek Philippe Calatrava. The MSRP of these starts at $21,000 and goes up, and you can find a few models for a little bit less than that, but expect to pay fifteen, eighteen, or twenty thousand.

The simple, refined, and uncomplicated dial makes the Calatrava infinitely wearable and a timeless classic. So, for as much fun as we’re having here, the price tag of these watches is eye-wateringly serious. But, great news, there are plenty of affordable alternatives to this iconic piece.

Nomos Ludwig 33 (Ref 242) – MSRP $1500

Nomos has a variety of watches, such as the Club, the Tangente, and the Ludwig that are around the thousand-dollar price point. Nomos is currently soaring in popularity with watch lovers and it’s pretty easy to see why. They have precise detailing, fun colors, and a really fresh take on a classic look, which is very popular and appealing to buyers.

As the Calatrava range has gone through many iterations over the years, we picked the Tangente and the Ludwig as a direct comparison to the iconic 5120G. The similarities speak for themselves here. With details such as elegant Roman numerals and a beautifully simple dial, it makes the Nomos stand out and not just for its attractive price point.

Baltic MR01 – MSRP $600

For a different feel, we turn back to Baltic, especially their MR01 model. This particular watch bears a striking resemblance to the 5196 Patek Calatrava, most notably models with a sub-second.

The salmon color dial might not be to everyone’s taste, but Baltic offers many different color options.

Seiko Presage Cocktail – MSRP $300 – $500

And around this similar price point, you will once again find Seiko – specifically in their Presage range, and their watch called the Cocktail Time. These are watches that sit around $300 to $500 and are really easy to incorporate into a modern wardrobe. With some really nice dials and even a few complications, these watches are a nice fit here at this price point.

Timex Marlin – MSRP $180 – $250

Just for fun, we will also include Timex here, especially their Marlin line. At around $180 to $250, this is a watch that really should be in everyone’s collection, especially if you have a small wrist. Just keep in mind that the Marlin is a hand-wound movement, so it might not be your cup of tea.

Watch #5: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ($28,000 – 30,000)

Our fifth watch is the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Some people love it, some people hate it. I personally really like it, and there are others who would rather spend thousands of dollars on something else.

The MSRP of these is around $28,000 to $30,000, but that’s if you can get one. Secondhand, they currently sit at $60,000 up. So, although this watch has an iconic design with the integrated bracelet, we were able to find some alternatives.

Maurice Lacroix Aikon (Quartz) – MSRP $2000

First up is the Maurice Lacroix Aikon. At around a thousand dollars, gently used, this watch incorporates a lot of the design language from the Royal Oak and puts a bit of its own spin on it. With the integrated bracelet and similar K-shape, this is a great alternative at the thousand-dollar price point.

Tissot PRX – MSRP $400 – $600

If you’re allured by the Royal Oaks iconic dial, pick the Tissot PRX. This watch might not be a one-to-one match, but with similar features, including the dial and the integrated bracelet, it’s a great fit for $400 to $600.

Rotary Regent – MSRP $500

The last option here that I’ll throw in at the $300 to $400 price point is the Rotary Regent. Rotary is another affordably-priced brand that is now making our list again. This watch has a similar design that’s easy on the eyes and easy on the wallet.

Watch #6: JLC Master Ultra Thin Moon ($7,900 – 10,900)

Our last watch is the JLC Ultra Thin Moon. Pop culture fans will note that this is the watch that was worn by Marvel’s Doctor Strange in his movie and the watch that got the crystal smashed. Outside of the movie world, this watch is very befitting of its title with JLC’s level of master craftsmanship.

Frederique Constant Classics Moonphase Quartz – MSRP $1200

First up, we will head over to Frederique Constant for a watch of a similar style. Frederique Constant is known for making some pretty nice-looking dress watches at an affordable price, so if you like this, the Classics Moonphase Quartz might be a great option for you.

Orient Star RA-AS0102S – MSRP $300

Orient might not be a new name to some of us who love watches as they provide great value and great design at their price point. And with several moon phase offerings coming in at around $300, there’s great value there.

Henry London Richmond – MSRP $100

Lastly, to end things on a high note, let’s look at Henry of London. Their Richmond model in quartz comes in at around a hundred dollars and is a nice alternative at this price point. And for that price, you get the day, date, month, and moonphase, which is pretty impressive if you consider the price of this watch. After all, it might have a quartz movement, but it has a lot of the original styling as the JLC.

Conclusion

As we round things up, I want to make a note that the world of watches is something that’s constantly evolving and changing. So, the prices that I quote here might not always be perfect, but we did our very best.

So, if we’ve inspired you to go look for a budget alternative to an iconic watch and it’s not available, look around within that brand’s catalog. There might be something else that fits the bill. 

Which one of today’s affordable alternatives was your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

Outfit Rundown

Today, I’m wearing an outfit that’s perfect for a casual spring-summer in Minneapolis. It consists of a navy blue popover with a spread collar from SuitSupply. This is a shirt I wear a lot in the warmer months. It looks great under a sport coat. The only thing I would do differently is choose a button-down collar because my collar is “flying away.” 

I’m wearing a pair of flat-front chinos from LL Bean in a bit of a looser fit. And, as I typically wear, a crisp pair of white sneakers. On my wrist is an incredible Patek Calatrava. This one has a sector dial. Federico over at Delray Watch sent this over. Again, they’re not a sponsor of the Gentleman’s Gazette, but they send us watches, and it helps us out a lot. This watch is not an affordable alternative, but since we had one in, I had to wear the real thing.