The Rolex Submariner is the undisputed KING of dive watches. It proudly wears a crown under the 12 o'clock position, after all. The Sub was the first commercial watch made specifically for deep sea diving. It pioneered using an automatic movement that could survive being submerged to 330 feet and bright luminescent hands to easily tell the time in low light. But most notable was the unidirectional rotating bezel that allowed a diver to keep track of how much air he or she had left.

Part 2 covers Rolex Submariner alternatives priced less than $600.

These design elements proved so popular that since its debut, all dive watches incorporate these Rolex "firsts." Not surprisingly, the Sub also became a cultural icon. None other than James Bond himself, Sean Connery, wore a Sub in the very first Bond movie, Dr. No, as well as in three subsequent Bond films.

Today the Rolex Sub is one of the most instantly recognizable watches in the world, and special color versions such as the green "Hulk" and blue "Pepsi" have become almost impossible to find. The MSRP for the newest 2020 Subs are $8,100 for the no-date version to $9,950 for the date versions in steel. Of course, finding one at an authorized dealer is nearly impossible. So the true street price is often much, much, much higher.

In this guide I want to present the best alternatives to the iconic Rolex Sub. I'll be doing so in order of price. It's important to note that these watches are not copies of the Sub but instead pay homage to the best design elements of the Sub and even bring some new innovations of their own.

Let's start with Rolex's arch rival and in my opinion the most likely to dethrone the KING ... Omega.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean

Launched in 2005, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean sets a high standard for style and function. The 43.50 mm stainless steel models feature various ceramic dials with Arabic numerals at 6, 9 and 12 in contrasting color and a date window at the 3 o’clock position. The ceramic unidirectional countdown bezel is filled with ultra bright Super-LumiNova. And unlike the Rolex, the entire dive bezel on the Seamaster is lumed and will glow brightly in the darkness.

The Seamaster is rated to 600 meters of water resistance which is twice that of the Rolex Sub. Powered by the Co-Axial Calibre 8900, the Seamaster boasts a 60 hour power reserve and like the Rolex is Master Chronometer certified for accuracy. The Co-Axial technology means that the Omega can go for longer intervals without servicing. One really nice touch is that this beautiful movement can be admired through the transparent case back.

The bracelet is pure Omega quality with high polished links and a solid clasp with a diver extension. At this price, it should be no surprise that other standard features include a screw-in case back and sapphire crystal.

The Omega Seamaster has an MSRP of $6,500. However, Omegas can usually be had at a discount from most authorized dealers and perhaps more importantly are always in stock.

Bottom Line

The Omega and Rolex are both high quality Swiss made timepieces that are highly accurate and capable of deep sea diving. (As if any of us are actually going to take either of these deep sea diving!) Rolex still maintains an edge in name recognition and ability to hold its value. But that does not mean that people won't notice the Omega. Plus, consider the amount of money you will save by buying an Omega, and the Rolex advantage disappears.

Tudor Pelagos or Heritage Black Bay

Known as Rolex's sister company, Tudor is a Swiss manufacturer that was founded in 1926 by Hans Wilsdorf, who was also the founder of Rolex. Tudor built its reputation building tool watches for professional divers and the military. During the 1970s and 1980s, both the U.S. Navy and French Navy issued Tudor Submariners to their divers.

Watch enthusiasts consider the Tudor Pelagos the next generation of "Tudor Submariners," which proudly carries on the heritage of their original military dive watches of the '70s and '80s. The Pelagos is completely modern and is a 42 mm titanium and steel construction. It was actually the very first titanium dive watch to be produced by either Tudor or Rolex. The Pelagos line is clearly designed for serious work with 600m water resistance and a helium escape valve. It also comes in only three variants – black or blue with white lume or the left-hand dive model with vintage lume.

The  lower priced Tudor Black Bay is also considered an excellent dive watch with a 200m water resistance but lacking the helium escape valve. So don't think about taking the Black Bay on your next saturation dive. However, its case design evokes the older style of the Rolex Submariner. It comes in 41mm and all stainless steel and can be had in an amazing number of dial color and strap combinations. It also has a listed MSRP of about $800 less than the Pelagos depending on the model.

Both watches are powered by the Tudor's in-house Caliber MT5600 chronometer certified automatic movement. The Pelagos also employs an innovative spring-loaded clasp that automatically adjusts to changes in your wrist size. The Pelagos also uses a ceramic bezel with luminous markers while the Black Bay is anodized aluminum.

Power reserve for both models are 70 hours. Both have scratch resistant sapphire crystal. The Black Bay also comes in no date and date (or even chronograph and GMT) versions.

Compared to the Rolex Submariner, the Black Bay is more similar in indices using a triangle at 12 and rectangle sticks at 3, 6 and 9. The remaining hours are marked with circular indices. The Pelagos on the other hand uses a triangle at 12 and rectangles or squares everywhere else. Both use a Tudor styled snowflake handset with a diamond shape on the hour and second hand.

Bottom Line

As far as quality and look and feel, the Tudors are on par with their more famous brother the Rolex Sub. They also have the heritage of being a true dive watch in their own right, having supplied the U.S. and French Navies. Spec wise, they are as good as or similar to the Sub and can be purchased for half the price. But ... A Tudor is not a Rolex, and while the Tudor is an excellent watch, it might not scratch your Rolex itch in the long run.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer

When it comes to name recognition, TAG Heuer is right up there with Rolex. In part it is due to the fact that the Swiss luxury watchmaker has been around since 1860 but probably more because Tag Heuer has been the official timer for Formula One and international soccer.

One of TAG Heuer's centerpieces is their Aquaracer line of dive watches. For our purposes, we are looking at the 300M diver which is the closest to the Rolex Submariner. Compared to the Sub, the Aquaracer offers a more elegant option while still being a tool watch that is not afraid to get wet.

The Aquaracer loudly proclaims its own identity with an instantly recognizable 12-facet bezel. Breaking with the traditional round dive bezel, the facets make turning the unidirectional steel bezel very easy and also give it a distinct look.

The 41mm case size (there are also Aquaracers in 43mm) is made of fine brushed and polished stainless steel. It has a screw down crown and offers 300m of water resistance.

The dial features a classy corrugated texture with applied indices and an uncluttered look. Both the sword hands and trapezoidal indices are outlined in silver and filled with bright lume. The second hand has an eye catching reverse trapezoidal marker in orange at the tip. This really shows off the smooth sweep of the movement.

Inside, TAG Heuer uses the Caliber 5 Automatic movement which is a customized Selita SW200. The movement provides a smooth 28,800 beats per hour sweep of the second hand and a 38 hour power reserve. The movement offers a nice date complication at the 3 o'clock position with a Sub-like cyclops magnifier.

The well built and sturdy stainless-steel bracelet has a milled safety clasp and a diving extension. The band is finely detailed in both brushed and polished finishes.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M comes with an MSRP of $2,250. Quite a savings versus the Rolex Sub!

Bottom Line

One of the chief reasons people buy a Rolex Sub is for the recognition they get from friends and strangers alike. Among common folk, TAG Heuer also possesses that luxury image. The distinctive and bright logo is almost as recognizable as the Rolex among the general public. While TAG Heuer makes watches in a variety of price points, it has maintained a generally luxury image among consumers. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer also offers its own unique and arguably more elegant take on the classic dive watch.

Longines HydroConquest

Founded in 1832, Longines is a well known Swiss brand with an illustrious heritage that has focused on high end and luxury products. Many well-known people have worn Longines including Albert Einstein (he owned two), Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Howard Hughes. Longines are also the official timekeeper for the the French Open, FEI Show Jumping World Cup, and FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.

Among their sports watches, the Longines HydroConquest is the perfect alternative to anyone who is looking for a luxury dive watch. The HydroConquest is a stainless steel 41mm dive watch that is only 11.90mm thin. It boasts a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with multiple layers of anti-reflective coating. The screw down case back and screw-in crown gives the HydroConquest 300m of water resistant. The solid ceramic bezel has a lumed pip at 12 o'clock. One nice feature is the full crown protection that has presence without being overdone.

The blue dial and applied Arabic numerals are illuminated with Super Lumi-Nova and outlined in silver. The silver polished hands sport a diamond feature on the hour hand and lume filling in the minute hand.

The HydroConquest is powered by an ETA based Caliber L88 which beats at 25,200 vibrations per hour and offers a 54 hour power reserve. The stainless steel bracelet has a milled buckle with a safety folding clasp and diving extension.

The finish on the HydroConquest is excellent with a mix of high polish and brushed finished. The dial is clean and only broken up by a date window at 3 o'clock. With an MSRP of $1,275, the HydroConquest offers an affordable alternative to the Rolex Sub.

Bottom Line

Besides the great name, the Longines is a high quality dive watch that offers elegance and function. The finish may not be as exacting as Rolex, but it is very good. Especially, if you like Arabic numbers at 6,9, and 12 then the Longines HydroConquest deserves a close look. Plus, you can always brag about the Einstein connection.

Davosa Ternos Professional Ceramic

Founded in 1993, Davosa focuses on producing high quality Swiss made watches that have a close resemblance to more popular brands. While not direct copies, they are certainly considered "homages," paying tribute to the original.

The Ternos line of watches is clearly a homage to the Rolex Submariner and of all the options available, it most closely resembles the Sub's look and feel. So if you want a well made watch that looks like a Sub, the Ternos Ceramic is one of the best choices. The downside is that as an homage, you are not getting something original.

The Davosa Ternos Ceramic is a 40mm stainless steel watch that is only 12.5mm thick. It sports a lovely Mercedes style hour hand and a lollipop seconds hand. The hands and indices are Super Lumi-Nova filled for easy reading in the dark. The ceramic bezel is beautiful and surrounds the anti-glare, sapphire crystal. There is a date complication and well executed cyclops magnifier.

Inside you'll find the Caliber DAV 3021 which is a modified ETA 2824 or Sellita SW 200. These are both solid movements and would be easy to service at any watch dealer. The water resistance is a respectable 200m.

The stainless steel strap is solid with a safety buckle and divers extension. The Ternos looks and to a degree feels like the current Rolex Submariner. But the price is less than 1/10 that of a true Sub at $850.

Bottom Line

If you want a watch the looks the most like a Rolex Submariner but is also not a cheap copy and is made with quality components and nice finishes, the Ternos should be on your shortlist. That being said, there is not much originality that you will find so you need to be okay with this aspect.

Seiko Prospex SPB143 Dive

Seiko has been around since 1881 and put Japan on the map as a tool and luxury watchmaker. Known for their famous Japanese precision and quality control, the Prospex SPB line of dive watches is Seiko's best alternative to the Rolex Sub.

The Prospex SPB143 could use a better name but does come in a variety of colors and materials. The case is 40.5 mm in diameter and solidly constructed with Seiko's proprietary Diashield case hardening which makes their stainless steel exceptionally resistant to scratches and dings. The screwed in case back offers 200m of water resistance. Note the guard-less crown design.

The dial has a sunburst effect and is surrounded by a stainless steel 120 click unidirectional timing bezel. Seiko chose to use their Diashield treated stainless which means it won't get dinged up like aluminum and has the solid feel of ceramic without the cost. The handset is easy to read sword hands with the second hand sporting a rectangular lume filled feature. There is a vintage look to the dial with its lack of fussiness and strong legibility. Sapphire crystal protects everything inside. Seiko is known for the brightness of their proprietary lume and the Prospex SPB is no exception. Super bright Lumibrite makes it easy to read in low to no light conditions.

Powering the SPB143 is Seiko's in-house 6R35 movement. This runs at 21,600 beats per hour which gives it a long 70 hour power reserve. This movement is a workhorse for Seiko and has proven to be both accurate and reliable. It also offers hacking and hand winding as well as a date complication at the 3 o'clock position.

The bracket is solid. Not luxury quality, but at this price it is a good value. The end links are solid, and it includes a milled clasp with micro adjust and folding wetsuit extension. Seiko really nails the value with the MSRP of $800. This is a lot of watch for that price from a major brand.

Bottom Line

Seiko is a major player in the world of watches and is highly respected by both collectors and enthusiasts. The Prospex line offers solid specs and a high quality fit and finish. It wears and functions like a Rolex but lacks the exclusivity of the Rolex brand. However, Seiko has a long heritage and for a daily wearer or one where you are actually going to take it rafting or snorkeling and don't want to worry about abusing it, then the Prospex is perfect. If I were going on a trip and wanted to take just one watch that could do it all – this would be it.

Conclusion

As you can see there are some great alternatives to the Rolex Sub. Which one is right for you depends on your personal tastes and budget. But the point is that there are solid alternatives to the venerable Rolex Submariner.

PART II: Rolex Submariner Alternatives for Less than $600. In the next part, we will finish our search for alternatives and will discover some amazing Sub alternatives and all for less than $600.

So what do you think? Do you own any of these great watches? Did we miss some good alternatives? Whatever your thoughts, please leave your comments below.