[tony20009]

Originally Posted by E90-F30

Thanks for this thread Tony!
I've been looking for a cheaper alternative to a Submariner without having to resort to an Aquaracer.

You're welcome.

There are scores of less expensive alternatives to a Sub, although an Aquaracer is also a nice choice. I have a Series 2000, which is the precursor to the Aquaracer. It's one of the most easy to own and easy to wear watches I have. Of course, the most obvious way to get a Sub-like watch is to simply buy a vintage one from a reputable seller. You can find perfectly good ones for ~$5K, perhaps less. The prices seem to go up and down with some regularity and vary too by seller. (as always, you can haggle the price)

• http://www.bobswatches.com/search?ci...ange=4000-6000 & http://www.bobswatches.com/used-role...FVMXHwodnIAAUQ
• http://www.grayandsons.com/category/70
• http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Wat...Lowest%20Price
• http://www.bernardwatch.com/Rolex/Submariner (if you are looking for a good "risk" to take re: value appreciation, the Kermit shown is worth considering for it'll eventually acquire even more collector appeal. It might take five years or so, but that shouldn't be an issue since you're buying the thing to wear it, not to go into the business of selling watches.)

Those are just a few sellers. Google "Rolex Submariner pre-owned used price" and you'll find many.


Note/observation: I think that Rolex must have just implemented their 2015 price increase. Seems prices have gone up since I last saw them this year (a few months back).


Some other alternatives:

• IWC Aquatimer (internal or external bezel)
  
  
  
  
  
  The internal bezel one has got what I think is the nicest means for rotating the bezel of all internal dive bezel watches.
• Omega Seamaster (plenty of pics on the WWW)\
• Bremont Supermarine
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Cartier Diver
  
  
  
  

• Damasko DK 10/11 (http://www.damaskousa.com/products/Models-DK10-DK11) -- If I were seeking a very sanely priced alternative to a Sub that also didn't scream "Sub," this watch would be very high on my list, if not the one I pick.
  
  
  
  Great discussion of them here: https://www.timelessluxwatches.com/r...10-dk11-review .

Lastly, when it comes to Submariner alternatives, the most obvious choice is Rolex's own offerings in that vein: Tudor. Say what you will about the aping of the Sub design, but Rolex owns both companies, so they certainly have the right to copy the design to the Tudor line to whatever extent they want. Decide how close to the Sub one wants the look to be.

• Vintage Tudor Sub -- The only thing about this watch that isn't literally a Sub is the movement inside. It's a very solid ETA in there instead of Rolex's own movement. Everything else about the watch is Rolex; the crown even has the Rolex crown logo on it. Mount it on an Oyster bracelet and you've effectively got a Submariner. You can go "snowflake" or "lollipop." (http://www.fratellowatches.com/vinta...4010-lollipop/) These are in great demand by collectors, so I can't promise you that you'll find one priced below a new Sub.
  
  
  
  

• Tudor Black Bay
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The older watch is the Tudor Sub, the newer one the Black Bay red bezel variation.
  
  
  
  Here's a BB vs. Sub comparo pic
  
  
• Tudor Pelagos -- I rather like the Pelagos over the modern BB, but that's just personal preference mainly. Outside of styling, there are a few minor differences, but not that are relevant for desk diver duty to a buyer lacking specific reasons of their own to care.
  
  

Some alternatives that move a bit away from the purely sport character of the Sub are watches that I describe as "sport flexible." That is watches that are styled leaning casual/sport, but are still dressy enough to work for all but the very dressiest of outfits. Perhaps the key trait of these watches is that they don't have external dive bezels that makes all such equipped watches sport watches.

• IWC Ingy
  
  
• Cartier Calibre de Cartier (pictured above next to the CdC Diver...all the pics one could want of a CdC are here: http://www.rwgforum.net/topic/138086...to-comparison/ . There's a great discussion of the watch as well.)
  
• Hublot Classic Fusion - The titanium variant of this watch makes it super comfortable. This is a watch about which I vacillate over whether I think it's sport-flexible or dress-flexible. Either way, it's flexible, and clearly not a strict dress watch, so I mentioned it. There are several variants and it's a really great looking and comfortable watch to wear. I think the Classic Fusion, like the Big Bang, has the quick switch bracelet feature.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Here's a CF Zircon vs. Sub comparo pic
  
  
  
  
  
  The CF is clearly a thinner and more refined looking/built watch than is a sub. That's not a qualitative judgment -- something having to do with "better" or "worse" -- on my part; it's just an observation. Some folks want a bit more panache and some don't.
  
  

So, if you haven't already decided, hie thee to a watch store and try some of them on. I think you'll be pleased with any of them. Unless you have some specific thing you expect in the way of functionality, I suggest just choosing based on what looks best to your eye and your wallet.



All the best.