Rolex Datejust alternatives
A 36 or 41 mm date watch with a fluted or smooth bezel and a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet, smart enough for a suit and tough enough for every day. Alternatives here are dress watches of a similar size.
These 19 watches come from other brands, sit within 3 mm of a Rolex Datejust reference in case size, and cost less than its $7,900 starting price. They're grouped by price, closest in size first, with one watch per brand in each group.
The Rolex Datejust
| Reference | Case | Lug-to-lug | Water | List price | eBay median ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datejust 31 278240 | 31 mm | — | 100 m | $7,900 | $11,263 |
| Datejust 36 116234 | 36 mm | 44.4 mm | 100 m | — | $9,736 |
| Datejust 36 16233 | 36 mm | 44 mm | 100 m | — | $6,899 |
| Datejust 36 16013 | 36 mm | 44 mm | 100 m | — | $5,895 |
| Datejust 36 16014 | 36 mm | 44 mm | 100 m | — | $5,249 |
| Datejust 36 126234 | 36 mm | 43.3 mm | 100 m | $10,100 | $13,995 |
| Datejust 41 126334 | 41 mm | 47.6 mm | 100 m | $11,850 | $14,799 |
| Datejust 41 126300 | 41 mm | 46.5 mm | 100 m | $8,950 | $11,425 |
| Datejust 41 126333 | 41 mm | 47.6 mm | 100 m | $16,900 | $16,495 |
Under $500
| Watch | Case | Lug-to-lug | Thick | Water | Movement | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orient Bambino Version 2vs the Datejust 126300 | 40.5 mm (−0.5) | 46.5 mm (same) | 12 mm | 30 m | Automatic | $275 |
| Seiko Essentials Quartzvs the Datejust 126300 | 40.2 mm (−0.8) | 47 mm (+0.5) | 8.3 mm | 100 m | Quartz | $265 |
| Timex Marlin Automatic 40mmvs the Datejust 126334 | 40 mm (−1) | 48 mm (+0.4) | 13 mm | 50 m | Automatic | $299 |
| Citizen Corso Eco-Drivevs the Datejust 126334 | 40 mm (−1) | — | — | 100 m | Solar | $350 |
| Tissot PR 100 40mmvs the Datejust 126334 | 40 mm (−1) | — | 8.3 mm | 100 m | Quartz | $350 |
$500 to $1,500
| Watch | Case | Lug-to-lug | Thick | Water | Movement | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorier AstraMicrobrandvs the Datejust 16233 | 36 mm (same) | 44 mm (same) | 10.4 mm | 100 m | Automatic | $699 |
| Seiko Presage Style60's Open Heartvs the Datejust 126300 | 40.8 mm (−0.2) | 47 mm (+0.5) | 12.8 mm | 50 m | Automatic | $595 |
| Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium 40mmvs the Datejust 126334 | 40 mm (−1) | 48 mm (+0.4) | 11.5 mm | 100 m | Automatic | $950 |
| Movado Museum Classic 40mmvs the Datejust 126334 | 40 mm (−1) | — | 6.8 mm | 30 m | Quartz | $650 |
| Bulova Super Sevillevs the Datejust 126234 | 37.5 mm (+1.5) | 42.3 mm (−1) | 10.5 mm | 30 m | Quartz | $695 |
$1,500 to $5,000
| Watch | Case | Lug-to-lug | Thick | Water | Movement | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longines Master Collection 41mm (2026)vs the Datejust 126334 | 41 mm (same) | 48.7 mm (+1.1) | 9.5 mm | 30 m | Automatic | $2,750 |
| Tudor Black Bay 31vs the Datejust 278240 | 31 mm (same) | — | — | 100 m | Automatic | $4,600 |
| Seiko King Seiko KSKvs the Datejust 126234 | 37 mm (+1) | 43.6 mm (+0.3) | 12.1 mm | 100 m | Automatic | $1,700 |
| Nomos Glashütte Metro Date Power Reservevs the Datejust 126234 | 37 mm (+1) | 43.6 mm (+0.3) | 8 mm | 50 m | Manual | $4,420 |
| Rado True Square Automaticvs the Datejust 116234 | 38 mm (+2) | — | 9.7 mm | 50 m | Automatic | $2,450 |
$5,000 and up
| Watch | Case | Lug-to-lug | Thick | Water | Movement | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omega De Ville Prestige Small Seconds 41vs the Datejust 126334 | 41 mm (same) | 47.9 mm (+0.3) | 10.8 mm | 30 m | Automatic | $5,800 |
| Grand Seiko Snowflakevs the Datejust 126334 | 41 mm (same) | 49 mm (+1.4) | 12.5 mm | 100 m | Spring-drive | $6,900 |
| Cartier Tank Must Extra-Large (automatic)vs the Datejust 278240 | 31 mm (same) | 41 mm | 8.4 mm | 30 m | Automatic | $5,700 |
| Tudor Monarchvs the Datejust 126300 | 39 mm (−2) | 46.2 mm (−0.3) | 11.9 mm | 100 m | Automatic | $5,875 |
List prices are manufacturer prices in US dollars where published. Differences in brackets are against the closest Rolex Datejust reference by size. Check lug-to-lug against your wrist with the fit finder.
Questions
- What is the best affordable alternative to the Rolex Datejust?
- By size, the closest under $1,500 in our catalog is the Orient Bambino Version 2 RA-AC0026R30B at $275: 40.5 mm across against 41 mm for the 126300, with a 46.5 mm lug-to-lug.
- Is there a Rolex Datejust alternative under $500?
- Yes. The Orient Bambino Version 2 RA-AC0026R30B lists at $275 and is 40.5 mm across, water-resistant to 30 m. 5 of the watches on this page cost under $500.
- How much does the Rolex Datejust cost?
- In our catalog, Rolex Datejust references start at $7,900 list price. On eBay, the 16233 has a median asking price of $6,899 across 189 live listings.