Ahh, the Rolex Datejust.
It is an iconic, beautiful, and incredible dress watch, although it is a little too expensive for many. A basic, 36mm Oystersteel Datejust starts at close to $7,000. Even used ones cost at least $3,000.
Not many of us can (or are willing to) spend that kind of money on a watch. Perhaps a more affordable lookalike or homages might be a better choice.
So in this post, let’s look at 21 watches that look like Rolex Datejust. These watches would be affordable, with none over $400. In fact, only one is over $300.
Just like our review on watches that look like Rolex Submariner, we will also feature lookalikes, as well as homages in this list.
The Rolex Datejust
Before moving into watches that look like Rolex Datejust, let’s talk about the original first.
The first Datejust debuted in 1945 to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary.
Since then, the watch has undergone multiple designs, movements, and technology updates.
It has also built an enormous following, with multiple references in popular culture – movies, songs, books, for example.
It has also adorned the wrists of many personalities, from Winston Churchill, 14th Dalai Lama, to Michael Jordan.
Datejust Designs And Customisations
Datejust does not refer to a single watch design but a full array of chronometer watches produced by Rolex. Combinations of designs and parts are used to make these Datejusts.
A Datejust can come in multiple sizes, colors, bezels, bracelets designs:
Sizes: 31mm, 36mm, 41mm (with a 28mm size for ladies)
Bezel: smooth, domed, fluted, or set with diamonds
Bracelet Design: Jubilee, Oyster, Pearlmaster or President
Material: Stainless steel, two-tone gold with stainless steel, or solid gold case and bracelet.
Dial Color: Too many to list here.
This means if you place a dozen Datejusts on the table, they might not even look the same.
ALSO READ: What Makes A Watch A Luxury Watch?
How We Select Watches For This List
This made it hard for us to decide on criteria to select watches that look like Rolex Datejust.
In the end, we settled for these criteria:
- Date window
- Baton markers
- Metal bracelet
- Case size between 36 and 42 millimeters (although there are Datejusts with an even smaller diameter)
- Understated dial
- Water-resistance
We forgo the ones below (with explanation)
- Automatic movement. There are great homages for Datejusts in quartz, and we want to list them here.
- Cyclops magnifier. This feature is very few and far between affordable watches.
- Fluted bezel. Since modern Datejust has a smooth bezel, this becomes an optional criterion.
21 Affordable Watches That Look Like Rolex Datejust
We do not give exact pricing here, as they may change. So what we do is to provide indicators instead:
PRICING INDICATOR
Under $100 – $
$100 – $200 – $$
$200 – $300 – $$$
$300 – $400 – $$$$
$400 – $500 – $$$$$
Remember that these watches usually come in multiple colors, movement types, or bracelet designs.
So it pays to shop a bit to see what suits you best.
So here are our 21 watches that look like Rolex Datejust:
Seiko SGF206 ($)
Seiko’s classic lookalike to Datejust. It has a round gold dial set in a bezel of fluted gold-toned stainless steel. It’s powered by Seiko’s quartz movement.
It also features a three-hand function with luminous black hands and markers. It has a day-date window at the three o’clock position. The bracelet is gold-toned stainless steel with a foldover clasp. 30M (100ft) water-resistant.
Bulova 96C127 Surveyor ($$$)
The Bulova Surveyor features a 39mm stainless steel case with a day/date feature and a silver-white dial with silver-tone hands and markers. The watch is powered by Bulova’s quartz movement.
The watch is covered over by a domed mineral glass and sports a stainless steel bracelet with foldover double-push closure.
Duka CD028 ($)
A finely made homage watch from Pagani Design. Uses a 316 stainless steel case with a jubilee bracelet. Features a cyclops magnifier with a date window at 3 o’clock position.
The watch runs a Seiko NH35A automatic movement, with hand winding and hacking. 100M (330ft) water-resistant.
Casio MTP-1302PD ($)
Also casually called the Casio ‘Datejust’ by many. Features a 39mm stainless steel case with a date feature and a black dial with silver-tone hands and markers.
The watch sports a fluted bezel, with gives it a Datejust feel. It is covered over by a domed mineral glass and a stainless steel bracelet.
Reginald Datejust Homage ($)
Bang-for-the-buck homage from the land of the Great Wall. Features a 36mm case with a fluted bezel. Hour markers are set in rhinestones on a black dial.
The watch is powered by a Japanese quartz movement and sports a dual-tone stainless steel jubilee bracelet.
Stuhrling Original 3935 ($$)
This watch sports a stainless steel round-shaped case with a polished coin-edged bezel. It carries a white dial with a date window in the three o’clock position.
The watch is powered by a Japanese quartz movement, with a polished and brushed stainless steel link bracelet. Water-resistant to 100M (330ft).
Burei 8001 ($$)
Another well-made homage. Runs on a Japanese automatic movement with 50M (165ft) water resistance.
The watch comes with a stainless steel case and jubilee bracelet, a fluted bezel, and a cyclops magnifier at the 3 o’clock position for that classic Datejust look.
Orient RA-AA0C02L19A ($$)
Orient is a master in simple, elegant design at an affordable cost, and this watch is one fine example. 41mm case with stainless steel bracelet, powered by Orient’s in-house F6922 movement, with hacking and hand winding.
There is a day and date window at 3 o’clock position, although without cyclops magnifier. The watch is 50M (165ft) water-resistant.
Citizen BF0580-57L ($)
Simple, entry-level quartz from Citizen, with hints of Datejust’s simplicity and style. Powered by Citizen’s quartz movement, with day and date window at the 3 o’clock position.
The watch comes with stainless steel case and bracelet, with the bracelet in a foldover clasp. Mineral glass protects the blue sunburst dial, and the watch is 30M (99ft) water-resistant.
Cadisen C8053 ($$)
Cadisen is a Chinese watchmaker focusing on homages of iconic Swiss watches. This is their take on the Datejust.
Finished in stainless steel with a jubilee bracelet and a fluted bezel for that instantly recognizable Datejust look. Powered by Miyota/Citizen’s 8215 automatic movement with hacking and hand winding.
A cyclops magnifier and date window are at 3 o’clock, with sapphire crystal protection. 50M (165ft) water-resistant.
Seiko SNE039 ($$)
Another of Seiko’s watches, with a simple design reminiscent of the Datejust. 37mm stainless steel case, with bracelets of the same material. Watch is protected by Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex crystal.
The watch runs on Seiko’s solar quartz, which means no batteries are needed. A day and date window are at the 3 o’clock position. 30M (99ft) water-resistant.
Charles Hubert 3401 ($$)
Charles Hubert is an American company based in El Monte, California, making gentlemen’s accessories such as watches, writing instruments, and pendants.
The 3401 is unmistakeably a Datejust homage. Comes in a classic two-tone stainless steel case and bracelet, with a fluted finish and jubilee design for that iconic Datejust look.
The watch is powered by a Quartz movement, with 30M (99ft) water resistance. The cyclops magnifier and date windows at 3 o’clock complete the homage.
Orient Tristar Deneb ($)
Orient had multiple watches that made this list, as their simplistic, small watches continue to draw semblance to Datejusts.
This particular Tristar Deneb is 40mm in diameter with a stainless case and pearlmaster bracelet. A day and date window are present at the 3 o’clock position.
The watch is powered by Orient’s in-house F4902 automatic movement with hacking and hand winding. The watch is also water-resistant up to 30M (99ft).
San Martin SN017-G-DLC ($$$$)
San Martin is a watchmaking company in the land of the Great Wall, focusing on homages of iconic Swiss models.
Their watches use more Swiss parts and materials, making them stand out from other Chinese homages.
Their Datejust homage is stainless steel with a jubilee bracelet and a fluted bezel. A Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic movement power the watch, with hacking and hand winding.
A date window and cyclops magnifier at 3 o’clock completes the Datejust look.
Rotary Oxford GB05092/53 ($$$)
Rotary Watches started in Switzerland; however, they relocated to London in the early 20th century and have since included British DNA in their designs.
The Oxford made it into the list as they are small, simple, elegant dress watches with the same effect as the Datejust. 40mm in diameter with stainless steel case and oyster bracelet. A day and date window are present at the 3 o’clock position.
The watch is powered by a quartz movement and is 50M (165ft) water-resistant.
Parnis EE-0072 ($$)
Parnis is also another homage maker, and this is their take on the Rolex Datejust. The watch is set in a classic two-tone stainless steel case with a fluted finish. The two-tone Jubilee bracelet and cyclops magnifier at the 3 o’clock position completes the Datejust look.
The watch is powered by a 21 jewel Miyota/Citizen automatic movement with hacking and hand winding. It is water-resistant up to 50M (165ft).
Orient FUG1H001D6 ($)
The Orient FUG1H001D6 is 41mm in diameter with a stainless steel case. It comes with an oyster bracelet with a foldover clasp. A day and date window are present at the 3 o’clock position.
The watch is powered by Orient’s quartz movement and is water-resistant up to 100M (330ft).
Pagani Design PD-1645 ($$)
Pagani Design is picking up steam in the watch community, with excellent reviews on their Swiss homages, including this model.
The PD-1645 comes in a stainless steel case with a fluted finish. The jubilee bracelet further brings in that iconic Datejust look and feel. The cyclops magnifier and date window at 3 o’clock position complete the homage.
The watch is powered by a Seiko NH35 automatic movement with hacking and hand winding, with 100M (330ft) water resistance.
Citizen Corso ($$$)
One look at the Citizen Corso, and you will immediately feel its Datejust-inspired design. The watch case is stainless steel with a dual-tone finish. The pearlmaster bracelet is also dual-tone, with a foldover clasp.
A date window is at 3 o’clock, with the watch protected by a mineral crystal. Citizen’s renowned Eco-Drive quartz movement powers the watch, with 100M (330ft) water resistance.
Holuns R102 ($$)
Holuns is also another Chinese homage watchmaker. Their R102 is an attempt at Datejust. This homage is powered by an automatic movement with hacking and hand winding, with a sapphire crystal dial window.
The case and bracelet with stainless steel have a two-tone design. The bezel sports a fluted finish, and the bracelet is in a jubilee design. Hour marks are finished in rhinestone instead of batons.
The date window and the cyclops magnifier at 3 o’clock complete the Datejust look.
Seiko 5 SNXS77 ($$)
The final finisher in the list belongs to, who else if not Japan’s gift to the world of horology (Seiko)? You do not need convincing to see this watch has plenty of Datejust’s DNA.
Watch is 38mm in diameter, with stainless steel case and oyster bracelet. The watch runs on Seiko 7s26 movement, which is not hand-windable or hackable.
It, however, sports the baton hands and hour marks similar to the Datejust and has a day and date window at the 3 o’clock position.
Our Further Suggestions
Now, here are our 21 watches that look like Rolex Datejust. If these are too much and you want a simpler recommendation:
If great homages are in your mind, consider the Cadisen 8053.
The watch carries the Datejust look very well and runs a reliable automatic movement from Miyota/Citizen.
It is also water-resistant to 100M (330ft) and not as pricey as the San Martin homage.
If you want a watch that is Datejust inspired but still has its own character, Take a look at the Rotary Oxford.
It has the simplicity and clean design that Datejust sports, but it certainly does not try to pass as one. The watch can definitely stand on its own.
If you want the closest looking watch to the Datejust and spend as little as possible, you have the Reginald Datejust Homage.
Cheapest in this list (at the time of writing), it really carries the Datejust look exceptionally well. However, you will have to do with a quartz movement and only 30M (99ft) water resistance.