Apples to Apples, Rolex to ...

[*M5]

Hello all, and my apologies if this has been discussed here before but I was wondering what are some other brands that you guys would find is a direct 'apples to apples' competitor of Rolex.

I'm talking about fit and finish, accuracy of movement and value proposition for the money.

I have had the chance to own and try on several brands such as Breitling, IWC, Breguet, Blancpain etc but in my humble opinion, none had the attention to detail and finish if I may say so, of Rolex.


To be clear, I am not referring to anything above the 20K mark, as I am not there yet


Having said this, I thought it would be fun and informative to have your input and experience on some other brands that you have owned or discovered.

Also it would be fun to say give your best alternative to a:

1. Rolex Diver.

2. Rolex GMT.

3. Rolex Chrono.


Price, finish and quality of movement should be well..comparable..


PS: The more I look around, the more I appreciate my Rolex.

[samson66]

Omega is the closest in my opinion

Diver - Seamaster

Chrono - Speedmaster

[Patton250]

Breitling for Chrono all day long.

Omega Seamaster for diver

[mgsooner]

Diver - JLC Polaris, Glashutte Original SeaQ Panorama Date

GMT - This one is probably the toughest as the GMT watches from other manufacturers that have a sport bezel tend to be massive. There is a 43.5mm Omega Planet Ocean GMT and also the 44mm Grand Seiko SBGE201. Both much larger watches than the Rolex GMT.

Chrono - Zenith El Primero Chronomaster, JLC Polaris Chrono

[*M5]

Glashutte Original SeaQ Panorama Date that is a beauty!

Patton250 which model Breitling do you prefer as a Chrono?


Keep'em coming guys!

[dtwer]

Rolex has no equal, none.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by dtwer

Rolex has no equal, none.

That's just patently incorrect.

[arcadelt]

IMHO, the Breitling SuperOcean B20 Automatic 42 is a good substitute for the Submariner Date - it has a long lineage, similar features including ceramic bezel and it even has a Rolex (well Tudor) movement inside.

[Kiddodoc]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

That's just patently incorrect.

Broad statement by him but maybe in his view Rolex is the best. Other watches may have better craftsmanship or have better complications in certain aspects but I would bet many hold the same opinion as the other person.

[Yess]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

IMHO, the Breitling SuperOcean B20 Automatic 42 is a good substitute for the Submariner Date - it has a long lineage, similar features including ceramic bezel and it even has a Rolex (well Tudor) movement inside.

Good looking watch... and I think Breitling has a good rep. Like Rolex.

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by Patton250

Breitling for Chrono all day long.

Omega Seamaster for diver

I would say Chrono vs. Chrono. which means Daytona vs. another model it would be the Omega Speedmaster.

The Daytona was created as the Rolex Cosmograph for that very purpose to compete against the Speedy back in the day.

...

But in general, for the OPs question I would say Omega is the likely candidate in terms of line-up, price range, etc. Omega was the original target/leader in terms of the mid-tier segment while Rolex was busy catching up.

Nowadays, Rolex in general leads the pack.

[skorN83]

Originally Posted by arcadelt

IMHO, the Breitling SuperOcean B20 Automatic 42 is a good substitute for the Submariner Date - it has a long lineage, similar features including ceramic bezel and it even has a Rolex (well Tudor) movement inside.

The SOHII is a smashing watch, I've owned it twice.

It is really let down (and the reason I've sold it twice) by the clasp. It feels flimsy and cheap with only a few microadjustments and no on the fly adjustment.

They have a better clasp for the rubber variants, it's always puzzled me that these have never made their way across to the bracelets.

If they could put a nicely done adjustable clasp on the bracelet, the SOHII would be a knockout.

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by dtwer

Rolex has no equal, none.

Ok.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cdmorenot]

Omega - By the end of this year (if the year ever starts) I will consolidate all of my watches to three pieces:

Omega Seamaster PO 39.5 Black Dial
Omega Seamaster Aquaterra 38 Blue Dial
Omega Speedy Sapphire

All that possible by offloading two Rolex and still keeping some cash in my pocket. I’ve grown and so has my taste in watches and everything else in life.

While Rolex is absolutely superior and no one can argue that, my perception of what TRUE heritage is puts me with Omega.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[samson66]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

While Rolex is absolutely superior and no one can argue that, my perception of what TRUE heritage is puts me with Omega.

What makes Rolex absolutely superior? I own both as well and to me I think the quality, materials, engineering, and finishing is pretty much a draw. The only big advantage I see in Rolex over Omega is they hold their value and that's mainly due to marketing which Rolex has the rest of the watch world beat for sure. But for the watches themselves I don't see it.

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by samson66

What makes Rolex absolutely superior? I own both as well and to me I think the quality, materials, engineering, and finishing is pretty much a draw. The only big advantage I see in Rolex over Omega is they hold their value and that's mainly due to marketing which Rolex has the rest of the watch world beat for sure. But for the watches themselves I don't see it.

Much more than craftsmanship, materials and engineering.

Brand recognition, value retention, prestige.

I prefer Omega’s heritage and I prefer them as a brand but I’m pretty sure if you ask 100 people about a luxury watch brand you’ll get Rolex at least 90% of the time.

Absolutely superior.

Same way I prefer Porsche over Ferrari but most kids will have a Ferrari poster on their walls.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Peterandwatches]

It wouldn’t be apples, but I’d look at Tudor for some of these models. The Black Bay Diver, GMT, and Heritage Chrono are all quite handsome and a fair whack less.