While the word “iconic” is overused in the luxury watch world, the Rolex Submariner is one watch that is well-deserving of that title. Born in 1953 as a tool watch for the then-nascent sport of SCUBA diving, the Submariner has grown to become one of the most—if not the most—famous high-end watches ever made. However, with its hefty price tag and exceedingly high demand across the globe, getting your hands on a Submariner isn’t an easy feat. Enter the Submariner homage watch.
But you may be asking yourself, what are homage watches? They are simply watches made to look like well-known timepieces (such as the Rolex Submariner), sold by other companies at much lower prices. Homage watches are not replica watches since they are not pretending to be the genuine model—for example, they do not have the original brand name anywhere on the timepiece. They do however, mimic a particular watch design.
It’s worth mentioning that homage watches aren’t without controversy. Some disapprove of watches that are meant to look like specific models while some appreciate their availability if buying the original just isn’t possible. If you’re in the latter camp and are looking for the best Rolex Submariner homage watch, take a look at these 7 solid options.
Davosa Ternos
Prices starting at $799
The Ternos collection by Davosa houses a wide assortment of styles inspired by popular Rolex sports watches.
The Submariner look-alike is the Ternos 40mm Automatic Diver model with a date window at 3 o’clock, complete with the protruding magnification lens sitting above it. Plus, much like the original Submariner, there are Ternos watches with black, blue, or green bezels to choose from. The Davosa Ternos 40mm Automatic Diver watches are Swiss-made, have ceramic bezels, are water-resistant to 200 meters, and run on automatic movements.
Steinhart Ocean
Prices starting at $500
The Swiss-made Steinhart Ocean One BLACK Ceramic watch is an homage to modern steel Rolex Submariner watches—but slightly bigger. The automatic Ocean One BLACK Ceramic sports a 42mm stainless steel case water-resistant to 300 meters and it’s topped with, as its name implies, a black ceramic bezel. The dial is also black, punctuated with the famed Mercedes-style hands common to most Rolex sports watches. There’s also the customary date on the dial, followed by the magnification bubble lens on the sapphire crystal, while the three-link bracelet is fashioned after the Submariner’s Oyster bracelet.
If you’re looking for a Submariner Hulk-like variant, there’s also the more expensive OCEAN One Double-GREEN Ceramic premium model.
Ginault Ocean Rover
Prices starting at $1,299
For a no-date Submariner homage, Ginault offers up the Ocean-Rover 181070GSLN. The watch borrows heavily from older Submariner models with aluminum bezels and even features beige-colored “Gold Sand Lume” to imitate the patina that can develop with older vintage watches.
However, Ginault also includes details that aren’t found on the original Rolex diver. For example, rather than Mercedes-style hands, the Ocean-Rover has sword-shaped ones, along with a red seconds hand. Also, instead of hailing from Switzerland, Ginault watches have “Hand Built in America” emblazoned on the dials. However, other details, such as a 40mm steel case with 300-meter water resistance, the hour markers, the automatic movement, and a three-link steel bracelet with an extension clasp are all clearly inspired by the Rolex Sub.
Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB
Prices starting at $78
Coming in at less than $80, the Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB is one of the most affordable Rolex Submariner homage watches in the market. The watch comes with a 40mm steel case, black aluminum bezel, and a black dial with a date window at 3 o’clock. Of course, to match the Submariner date, the Pro Diver also has a date magnifying lens. However, the crystal is not sapphire but mineral crystal, and the lume plots, although in the same shape as the Sub, are quite small.
The back of the Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB includes a display caseback to show the automatic Seiko NH35A movement that powers the watch. The three-link steel bracelet has polished center links and this particular Invicta Pro Diver is water-resistant to 200 meters.
Stührling Regatta 792 Automatic
Prices starting at $250
The Regatta 792 Automatic collection by Stührling offers several Submariner homage watches in various color iterations. Regardless of the color, the Stührling Regatta 792 Diver watches feature 42mm steel cases water-resistant to 200 meters. The bezels are aluminum while the crystal is “Krysterna,” which according to the brand is “more shatter-resistant than sapphire crystal.”
The three-link Oyster-inspired bracelets fasten around the wrist using a push-button deployant clasp and the automatic movement inside the case is visible via a display caseback.
Squale 20 ATMOS MAXI Ceramic 1545
Prices starting at $570
Squale has had a long history of making diving watches and the company’s origins date back to the 1950s. Among the vast assortment of solid dive watches offered by Squale, the model that looks most like a modern Rolex Submariner is the 20 ATMOS MAXI Ceramic 1545.
The Squale 20 ATMOS MAXI Ceramic 1545 watch is equipped with a 40mm 316L steel case, furnished with a screw-down winding crown and a water-resistance rating of 200 meters. The black ceramic bezel is a nice contrast to the matte black dial while the generously sized hour markers are coated with SuperLuminova. There’s also a date window and a magnification lens on the flat sapphire crystal. This Squale diving watch runs on the Swiss ETA 2824-2/SW200 automatic movement.
Tudor Black Bay 79230
Prices starting at $3,475
Not so much a Submariner homage but rather a more affordable option (by luxury watch standards), the Black Bay 79230 is a fantastic offering by Rolex’s sibling brand, Tudor. Those who are familiar with Tudor will likely know that the brand used to make Submariner watches too, complete with Rolex-made components. The Black Bay is a collection of dive watches that include design details inspired by vintage Tudor Submariner models but executed to modern standards.
With 41mm steel cases water-resistant to 200 meters, time-only dials accented with vintage “snowflake style” hands, and in-house made automatic movements, the Tudor Black Bay ref. 79230 marries the old and the new. Plus, you can choose from black, blue, or red bezels, in addition to leather bands, fabric straps, or three-link metal bracelets.
Whether you agree with owning a Submariner homage watch or not, there are plenty of them out there. As the old saying goes, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” What are your thoughts about homage watches? Let us know in the comments below.
Great article on the best Submariner homage watches! As a watch enthusiast on a budget, I’m always on the lookout for affordable options that still offer the classic look and feel of the Submariner. This list provides a great overview of some of the best options out there, and I appreciate the thorough research and attention to detail put into this article. I’ll definitely be considering some of these watches for my next purchase. Thanks for sharing!
Ginault Ocean rover 2 and silent service are pretty neat. You certainly pay more but for the quality they promise it’s worth it. Purchased an OR2 with date and cyclops, looking forward to getting it in the weeks ahead. John the owner builds them!
heimdallr watch submariner
I have Steinhart Explorer dial and itis stunning! I really love it!
No, it’s not a Rolex but the Gevril Wall Street is a really nice watch. I was able to find this Swiss made watch with a list price of $3400 for $495. Amazing! Bought the green model and compared it to my friend’s Rolex Hulk. The Gevril is larger and looks as if it is made just as well. 200 meters water resistant, sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel, steel jubilee bracelet from a Swiss company that has been around for almost 250 years. Not too shabby!
You forgot the invicta 9937, which much like the 8926 (included on this list) is a homage, but offers a Sellita(Eta) Swiss movement and sapphire crystal. Not to mention a bracelet that includes solid end-links for a similar feel to the original. The 8926 bracelet is a weak point and leaves much to be desired.. the 9937 bracelet can be had for sub $200 but feels much more expensive.
The Best homeage is grovanna home Age, also Revue Thommen Diver too. There are almost the same than the rolex Sub. look pics in internet
They are too chunky…
Hi l have a Cronos Submariner homage no date and a San Martin Submariner Homage with date. They are both beautiful and l would find it hard to buy a Rolex Submariner at the price they are asking for ,near impossible on retail and grey market adding on grands on like it pence, l am quite happy
Saw one on a segment of Antiques Roadshow. Soldier bought it in Vietnam at the PX for around $350 as I recall. Had every single paper, card, box everything that came with it new including receipts etc.. Never wore it. Had it out of the box a handful of times at most. Appraised around $600K I think. Worth a dive on PBS website to check out.
saw that when it aired originally a few years back! great story and great reaction by the man. probably worth even more now. there was another one for a 1902 pocket watch by Patek Phillip. that one is worth 2-3 millions. also at pbs on youtube. check it out.
Mathey-Tissot Vintage Automatic. Great Swiss watch for the price and a great homage.
Jervril wall street is best I’ve seen as well. Just ordered the black and blue ones. I wanted the 4853B but wasn’t available at a reasonable price that is. That one I think is the best looking color of the line. Can’t wait till the two arrive!
Tisell Marine Diver.
San Martin Submariner
Hi I have just taken delivery of my Pagani design Bond homage watch blue bezel on blue rubber and I am blown away by the quality of this watch , I have got a Tudor which at the moment lays peacefully in my draw whilst I enjoy this wonderful watch £99 pounds to me in England 🤩
So I have a Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT Master vintage 1970 from the PX in Vietnam at the astounding price of $250 and it keeps the same time as my Apple phone at $700 . I still look at my watch to see the time and date instead of my phone.
Who gives a Rat’s ass — good for you but we are looking for something similar now not in 1973.
Are you jealous?
No I’m actually looking for a Rolex homage that I can wear everyday. I’m not in the market for a 10,000 watch. You won’t believe that I have the money to buy one but I’m not sure I would spend that much on any watch… Just a Davosa, Gevril, Ginault, Steinhart but I’m not able to have each one in my possession in order to decide. I was hoping that some person who wasn’t sharing about their watch from Nom could help me to narrow the list. I’m actually happy for him. I wouldn’t go to Vietnam in 1973 for 20 Rolex watches and a Bugatti.
No need for that. Apologise!!!
I bought my Sub in 1969 at a US military PX in Vietnam. Ironically, the only reason I bought it was there were no Explorers available. The watch has been with me in combat zones and crises areas, business meetings and black tie events. Aside from three preventative maintenance overhauls it has been trouble free. The only question is, which great grand son will get the watch next year. I’m studying them carefully to find the most adventurous. I wonder if the look alike could have cut it.
Before getting a Rolex 16040M, I thought about these options and ended up going for the Ginault ORII with SW-200. I was blown away by the quality I got a second OR of a different variant (blue smurf w/date + cyclops ceramic bezel vs GSL no date aluminum bezel). I like the minor touches including the sword hand and red second hand, which adds a little pop to the look of the dial. It seems that when it comes to homages of the Sub, it all just depends on what pricepoint one wants to jump in.
I heard Ginault was a Chinese movement.
I have a vintage Sub and have had it for over 40 years and have no issues with wearing a facsimile version of it. As long as the quality matches the price they are selling it for.
I do like what Ginault did with the red sweep and the sword profile…not sure on the diameter of the hour markers…a little out of scale IMHO…
Later
Have a look at GER4353B Gevril Wallstreet “Homage”, even has the Jubilee bracelet!!! And is made same village as Jaeger Le-Coultre, and runs an ETA 2824!!! Closest homage I could find and at $500 US on special was a steel. No pic just yet, birthday present. I have held both original at2mmm smaller diameter and this Gevril, I can say even at 20 times cheaper it even looks a little better, 40 or 41mm is just a little small. If it wasn’t for Rolex pretty much manufacturing their own steel and own movements you couldn’t justify 10 cents just for the branding!!