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Whilst not quite as popular as the submariner, the Rolex datejust is still amongst the most sought after and iconic watch designs in the 21st century. Its simple layout is appealing to those who want both a smart and casual look without going too overboard.
For reference, if you want to buy a Rolex datejust from an authorised dealer, it will set you back a minimum of $7050. It should be noted that this price is for the simple 126200 model which is a simple plain stainless steel model. A two-tone 126231 on the other hand, will cost over double this, at $14500. All these numbers show, is that the Rolex datejust is not an affordable watch for everyone and is an exclusive, luxury Swiss timepiece.
It makes sense then that people want to look for an alternative to a Rolex Datejust. Nobody wants to wear a fake watch, since they are poorly made, you have no idea who manufactured the watch and it makes you look foolish. Of course, wearing a Rolex datejust homage from another brand is absolutely fine. Watch brands take each others designs and improve on them all the time and nobody is trying to pass anything off as something it’s not.
Thankfully, there are quite a few brands who make watches that look like Rolexes for a very affordable price. There are at least 5-10 other brands that make very similar looking watches, with a few of these being Chinese clone brands that make something so very similar, yet different.
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Why Is The Rolex Datejust So Expensive?
All Rolex watches are more expensive than non-Swiss and even Swiss brands which aren’t luxury. Simply put, Rolex have one of the most recognizeable brands in the world and can sell their watches for any price they want (within a reasonable range). When world famous celebrities wear your watches because they think they look cool, the price of your watches do not have to be based on specification or mechanical ability.
With that being said, Rolex watches are made to an extremely high standard. Granted they are more expensive than they could be, but they are a legitimate company which makes watches much better than almost everyone else. Rolex is respected by watch fans across the world. As an example, Rolex Datejust watches meet COSC standards and then go a step further. There are not too many other watchmakers who can claim this level of engineering.
Why Is The Rolex Datejust So Popular?
This is largely due to the fantastic marketing of the Rolex brand. Unlike many other watchmakers, Rolex keep a very close eye on the supply of their watches to authorised dealers. By limiting the amount of “hot” models in circulation, Rolex can always make sure that demand is outpacing supply.
This is not just the case for the Rolex datejuste either and applies to other Rolex models such as the submariner and the daytona.
In fairness, the Rolex datejust would be popular regardless of the supply situation, but this just makes them even more desirable. The fact that there are many celebrities such as Adam Sandler and Colin Ferrell wearing datejust models does not hurt the image of the brand either.
Can You Wear A Datejust Every Day?
Yes, as the datejust is a watch with a date window, it is ideal to be worn every day. Particularly if you have a Rolex Datejust, this watch is a perpetual calendar model, meaning you will never have to roll the date over on a month that has only 30 days, and also will not need to move it manually during leap years.
Not only this but the Rolex datejust (and any other datejust made by a different brand) is a watch which is designed to be worn daily. Whilst you aren’t forced to wear it every day, it is watch which can be worn in both casual and formal settings without being overstated or obnoxious.
Best Budget Alternatives To Rolex Datejust
Seiko Day Date
Although not just a datejust, the Seiko day-date model is visually very similar to a Rolex datejust. Quite simply this is a Seiko with the same Rolex style This is mostly visible in the shape of the case and the jubilee bracelet alongside the fluted bezel. The fact that the watch is also two-tone lends itself to the classic style of the datejust watches which were so popular in the 1980’s.
Of course, this Seiko model is quartz and is no where near the build quality of a Rolex. Seiko are a company which is renowned for their quality at the lower levels of watchmaking, but these are still entry-level timepieces and are not in the same league as Rolex (nothing on this list is). However, the Japanese watchmaking has a reputation of solid and reliable watches in its own right and should not be scoffed at.
Invicta Datejust
Invicta create quite a variety of watches that look like various Rolex models. This is the cloest thing they get to a datejust, despite it not having a date window.
It’s 43mm case size is a little larger than a Rolex datejust, but the bracelet, dial and bezel are all in line with the apperance of the Rolex. The champagne color dial is a classic color which is regularly also used by Rolex. There is nothing special about the specifications of this watch, it uses a simple Japanese quartz movement. This means that it is going to be very reliable and accurate at the very least.
Lastly, priced at well under $100, this is very fair value for money given the overall look of the watch.
Orient Datejust
Although this Orient watch does not look like the Rolex datejust, it is a simple and affordable alternative for a very good price. Orient are best known for making budget automatic watches that are both very inexpensive and made to a great standard.
The main selling point of this watch is that it is automatic, reliable and fairly cheap. You cannot really find automatic watches for the same price as Orient – and if you can, they are cheap Chinese brands that are no where near the standard of this Japanese watchmaker.
Fanmis Datejust
The Chinese brand Fanmis make the cheapest alternative lookalike to the Rolex datejust that you can possibly find. Using their sub-brand “Reginald”, Fanmis sneakily use a crown of their own for the logo of this datejust model, albeit of a different shape.
This watch is available in 3 different color schemes on the dial, which are rose gold (pictured), black and white. All of these models are the variation of the datejust which use stones as hour indicators rather than simple markers. The only real difference between this and a Rolex from an aesthetic point of view is the case back. Reginald use their logo and text, whereas a Rolex is completely plain.
In short, this is a quartz watch, but costs under $50. You simply will not find anything cheaper than this timepiece.
Burei Datejust
In terms of watches that look like a Rolex datejust, you couldn’t really get any closer. From a purely visual perspective, it is clear to see what the Chinese brand Burei are up to and what they’re trying to achieve.
Although the watch uses a quartz movement, the casing and appearance of the watch dial has been made to look exactly like a Rolex datejust. This can be seen by looking at any part of the watch such as the lugs, dial or even caseback, any differences are really very minimal.
Burei have even chosen to put some strangely worded text at the bottom of the watch dial. On a Rolex this will state “Chronometer officially certified”, where as on this Burei model it states “genuine original certification” – which doesn’t really mean anything.
Overall, this is the closest match you will find to a Rolex datejust in terms of apperance.
Mathey-Tissot Datejust
Often confused with the Tissot brand, Mathey-Tissot is an entirely different company. Tissot is a relatively common Swiss surname, which is why the brands sound similar.
As you can see, this is one of the many fluted bezel watches which looks visually similar to a Rolex datejust. This Mathey-Tissot model makes use of diamond hour indicators around the dial, with a single cyclops at the 3 o’clock position with a date window. Not all datejust models have these diamonds, although the more expensive variations generally do follow this trend.
Considering this watch is under $150 and uses a Swiss movement, it is very good value for money. Usually you will have to pick one or the other when it comes to specifications or price.
Cadisen Datejust
If you aren’t aware of the Chinese brand Cadisen, they are a company which is almost entirely based around copying popular designs such as the royal oak, submariner and of course the datejust.
As you can see, other than the 12 o’clock position not being the crown logo of Rolex, the rest of the watch is very visually similar. A fluted bezel, rectangular hour indicators, a cylops over the date and jubilee bracelet are all fall in to line to make this a decent looking datejust homage piece.
The Cadisen datejust is not made to the same specifications as the Rolex datejust (obviously). Although in fairness it is an automatic watch and relies on a Chinese Sea-gull movement. These movements are reliable enough, but have no where near the accuracy of a quality Swiss movement.
Casio Datejust
Quite simply a bargain. Casio are a very reputable Japanese watchmaker that makes budget level watches to a high standard. Their version of the datejust is their own take on a classic design. Whilst this model is still somewhat reminiscent of the Rolex datejust, it is clearly not a copy, but moreso a style they have put their own spin on.
Despite having a fluted bezel, this is far less extreme and more of a textured effect. In addition to this, Casio have chosen to use a solid stainless steel bracelet, which is typical of their own style, rather than a jubilee style strap.
In short, for under $50, this is a real bargain and should definitely be considered if you’re looking for a simple and original datejust.
