The Best Rolex Submariner Alternatives at Every Price Point
The Rolex Submariner is the blueprint for nearly every dive watch made since its debut in 1953. The rotating bezel, high-contrast dial, lumed hour indices, and most importantly, high water resistance set the standard for underwater timekeeping. While water resistance is key for professional divers, the rest of those design elements—and the execution of those design elements—are what turned the tool watch into a cultural icon. James Bond certainly helped too.
But at the end of the day, the Submariner isn’t for everyone. Whether it’s the price, availability, or simply the ubiquity, plenty of collectors will find themselves exploring other options. Fortunately, the market is flooded with excellent dive watches—some more inspired by the Submariner than others—at every price point. Here are some of the best Submariner alternatives available today.
Under $1,000: Affordable Dive Watch Gems
Seiko SRPD55 ($325) (Or Really Any Other Seiko Diver)
Image Source: Uncrate Supply
The Seiko 5 Sports collection is one of the most accessible ways to experience a quality dive watch. The Seiko SRPD55, which replaced the SKX007, which replaced the 7002, whi—you get the point. Neary any Seiko dive watch under $1,000 will offer solid value; the SRPD55 is the most recent and the most Submariner-like in terms of case shape and coloration.
The watch features a 42.5mm stainless steel case, unidirectional bezel, and large lumed indices. While it lacks ISO certification and a screw-down crown, it has 100m of water resistance and is powered by the automatic 4R36 movement. It’s not a hardcore dive tool like other watches on this list, but for daily wear, swimming, and even recreational diving, it’s really hard to beat at this price point.
Image Source: Worn & Wound
If you’re willing to do a bit of research and buy pre-owned, you can get a technically superior Seiko for just a bit more. (Check out the SPB317, SPB143, SPB151, other Prospex divers, and even vintage examples.)
Scurfa Diver One (~$300)
Image Source: Hodinkee
Designed by a professional saturation diver, the Scurfa Diver One offers serious dive specs for an unbeatable (almost unbelievable) price. It boasts 500m water resistance, a screw-down crown, and a helium escape valve. There are lots of configurations out there: steel, titanium, blue, black, yellow, orange, etc. At just 40mm in diameter with a clean, legible dial, the Diver One is an excellent choice. Due to the crazy value you’re getting, these watches sell out quickly. There are pre-owned examples out there, but if you’d like to buy new, you’ll have to wait for the next drop.
Under $5,000: The Dive Watch Sweet Spot
Monta Oceanking ($2,550)
The Monta Oceanking offers some of the best finishing at this price point, despite being on the lower end of it. With its 300m of water resistance, unidirectional bezel with ceramic insert, and stunning symmetrical black dial, this thing checks a lot of boxes at $2,500. The bracelet features a micro-adjustable clap which is great for daily wear. Bias check: I technically work for Monta. Do with that info what you will, and if you get the chance, check out this third-gen Oceanking in person. It’s a remarkable diver for the price.
Oris Diver’s Date ($2,700)
Oris has long been a favorite in the dive watch world, and the new Diver’s Date exemplifies why. This 39mm diver offers 300m water resistance, a ceramic bezel insert, and a clean symmetrical dial. We have a hand-on with this watch if you want a closer look. My only critique? I wish it had a tool-free micro-adjustable clasp. That said, Oris delivers a ton of value for the price, making it a strong contender in the $2,000-$3,000 range.
Tudor Black Bay Monochrome ($4,700) (Or Really Any Other Black Bay)
The Tudor Black Bay Monochrome is, in many ways, the new de facto Submariner alternative. With its 200m of water resistance and METAS-certified movement, this Submariner sibling is up for just about anything: diving, hiking, magnet collecting—whatever. I recently wrote an article on the significance of METAS certification—I’ll include a link for those curious about what sets this watch apart.
Also—I limited myself to just one Black Bay on this list; essentially every Black Bay would make a good Submariner alternative.
Tudor Pelagos ($5,200) (Or Really Any Other Pelagos)
Image Source: Hodinkee
The original Tudor Pelagos is the quintessential modern mechanical dive watch. Its full-titanium construction, 500m of water resistance, and helium escape valve make it a serious dive instrument. The standout feature? Its spring-loaded clasp, which automatically adjusts to wrist shrinkage under the water pressure of diving. I can’t get enough of the matte dial and bezel, as well.
Again, I limited myself to one Pelagos here. There are lots of great options in the Pelagos family; Tudor is sort of the king of $3,000-$5,000 dive watches.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ($5,900)
Image Source: 316 Watch
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M has earned its place as a true rival to the Submariner. The distinctive wavy dial and helium escape valve make it instantly recognizable. James Bond certainly helped too. The Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement ensures exceptional accuracy and durability. Again, if you’re interested in learning more about METAS certification, check out our recent article on the topic. At 42mm, the Seamaster 300M is slightly larger than the Submariner but wears (similarly) comfortably.
Over $10,000: Luxury Dive Watches
Glashütte Original SeaQ ($10,300)
Image Source: WatchGecko
At this price point, case, dial, and movement finishing are significant selling points. The masterfully-crafted Glashütte Original SeaQ combines German engineering with vintage-inspired Swiss design. Its slim 39.5mm case and beige lume give it that vintage vibe, while the 200m water resistance and rock-solid build quality give it a modern feel. The SeaQ’s large Arabic numerals make it standout amongst most others on this list; I see it as a mainstay in the high-end dive watch category.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique ($15,700 - $16,600)
Image Source: Analog:Shift
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms predates the Submariner, making it one of the original dive watches. Available in multiple sizes, including 42.3mm and 45mm, the core configuration features 300m water resistance, a sapphire bezel, and uber-luxurious finishing. While it leans heavily into elegance—I mean, just look at that ‘Fifty Fathoms’ script on the dial—it remains a very capable dive watch with deep historical significance.
Conclusion
The Rolex Submariner is iconic, and like many Rolex models, it paved the way for an entire genre of watches. While nothing can truly replace it, these alternatives offer a variety of takes on what makes a great dive watch. You can get a teched-out titanium diver for under $500, an opulent vintage-inspired piece for over $10,000, or really anything in between. There’s something here for every collector and every budget. After all, dive watches are about more than just underwater performance—they’re about carrying a piece of history, practicality, and fun on your wrist.
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