The Best Rolex Datejust Alternatives

The most emblematic of all Rolex models, the Datejust has been a mainstay of the brand since 1945. Today, the Datejust is one of Rolex’s most varied collections, available in a vast assortment of materials and colors, in addition to a range of dials, bezels, and bracelets. Regardless of the specific style, what defines a Datejust is its date window at 3 o’clock, always topped with a Cyclops lens to magnify the date. If you’re looking for a watch similar to the Datejust, then you’re in luck — there are plenty of options from other luxury watch brands. Below you’ll find a rundown of the best Rolex Datejust alternative watches, which are not necessarily less expensive but always solid choices.

Datejust Design Characteristics

As mentioned, the Datejust is Rolex’s most versatile collection. For instance, you can find them with fluted bezels, smooth bezels, gem-set bezels, and even rotating bezels if you look within the vintage and/or discontinued Rolex market. Moreover, there are steel ones, gold ones, two-tone ones, and even platinum ones in the ladies’ Datejust selection. Size options are plentiful, ranging from petite 26mm to the largest option at 41mm, and bracelet choices include Oyster, Jubilee, and President. Dial variations are endless, offered in an abundance of colors, patterns, and of course, with or without gems.

That said, there are a few signature design details that all modern Rolex Datejust watches have. These include:

• Round Oyster cases water-resistant to 100 meters
• Window at 3 o’clock with instantaneous date (it automatically flips to the next day at midnight rather than a slow roll) and quick-set (can be adjusted independently from the timekeeping hands)
• A Cyclops magnification lens above the date, protruding from the crystal
• Central seconds hand
• A metal bracelet
• An automatic movement

With this design blueprint in mind, let’s have a look at some of the best alternatives to the Datejust watch.

Further Reading:
What is the Price of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust?
What is the Best Entry-Level Rolex?
How Does the Rolex Waitlist Work?

Rolex Datejust Alternatives

Here are some fantastic everyday luxury watches with date windows that would be ideal stand-ins for the Rolex Datejust made by some of the top Swiss brands.

Tudor Glamour Double Date

Let’s start as we often do when looking for Rolex alternatives with the brand’s sibling company, Tudor. Meet the Tudor Glamour Double Date, a watch that shares much of the same design language as the Rolex Datejust. First, we have a two-tone mix of yellow gold and stainless steel, which is a classic option for the Datejust watch. Then there’s the Jubilee-like bracelet with a five-link construction, complete with a gold row. Like the Datejust, the Glamour Double Date is water resistant to 100 meters and runs on an automatic movement.

Now, the Tudor is slightly larger, coming in at 42mm, yet it’s still nice and slender and easy to wear. The dial layout is also different whereby as the name suggests, there are double windows to indicate the date, which are placed under 12 o’clock. Plus, there’s a running indicator at 6 o’clock and the skeletonized hands on the Tudor watch are a departure from the straight hands on the Datejust. Despite the minor differences, this is a solid alternative to the Datejust that’s also much more affordable.

Tudor Glamour Double Date Specs

Reference	57003 (discontinued)
Case	42mm, stainless steel with yellow gold bezel and crown
Movement	Automatic movement with 70-hour power reserve
Bezel	Steel and yellow gold (smooth)
Water Resistance	100m
Functions	Hours, minutes, running seconds subdial, big date at 12 o’clock
Bracelet/Strap	Two-tone five-link bracelet (steel with yellow gold-capped center link)
2023 MSRP	$3,850

More About Tudor:
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Unexpected 2023 Tudor Release: Black Pelagos FXD

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra

With its appealing straightforward design, versatility, and collection variety, the Aqua Terra by Omega has long been compared to the Rolex Datejust. This particular reference, the 220.10.41.21.03.002, is an especially ideal alternative to the Datejust 41 ref. 126300 with a blue dial and Oyster bracelet since they share the same stainless steel construction, smooth bezel, dial color, and three-link bracelet. What’s more, the Aqua Terra is also 41mm and runs on an automatic movement.

Unlike the Datejust, the date window on the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is positioned at the 6 o’clock and doesn’t include a magnification lens. Yet, this popular Omega GADA watch, which is even more water-resistant than the Datejust, is an excellent alternative.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Specs

Reference	220.10.41.21.03.002
Case	41mm, stainless steel
Movement	Automatic movement with 60-hour power reserve
Bezel	Steel (smooth)
Water Resistance	150m
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date window at 6 o’clock
Bracelet/Strap	Steel three-link bracelet
2023 MSRP	$6,300

Learn more:
What is the Price of an Omega Seamaster?
Omega Just Unveiled 11 Summer Blue Watches to Celebrate the Seamaster’s 75th Anniversary
How to Sell an Omega Watch

Ballon Bleu de Cartier

While Cartier is famous for its non-circular “shaped” watches, the brand does indeed make a selection of round watches, such as the Ballon Bleu. Inspired by the shape of a pebble, the bulbous Ballon Bleu has been an important part of the Cartier catalog since its launch in 2007. Like the Rolex Datejust, the Ballon Bleu collection is exceedingly varied with a large number of sizes, materials, bracelets, and colors to choose from.

The Ballon Bleu ref. WSBB0040 is a particularly fitting alternative to a Datejust given its 40mm steel case, smooth bezel, three-link bracelet, and date window at 3 o’clock. However, this is unmistakably a Cartier watch, illustrated by all the design hallmarks we’ve come to expect from the French Maison including blue sword-shaped hands, Roman numerals, and a blue cabochon stone set into the winding crown.

Ballon Bleu de Cartier Specs

Reference	WSBB0040
Case	40mm, stainless steel
Movement	Automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve
Bezel	Steel (smooth)
Water Resistance	30m
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date window at 3 o’clock
Bracelet/Strap	Steel three-link bracelet (interchangeable)
2023 MSRP	$7,000

More About Cartier:
The Best Entry-Level Cartier Watches
Is Cartier Leading the Return of Small Watches for Men?
A History of the Cartier Tank

Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Automatic

A favorite option of the Datejust is a diamond bezel — and Rolex makes plenty of those. Patek Philippe is also a fan of making diamond bezels for some of its watches; this is especially apparent within the ladies’ Twenty~4 collection. While the Twenty~4 debuted in the 1990s, it was only in 2018 that an automatic version joined the lineup. Not only is the new-generation Patek Twenty~4 powered by a self-winding movement, but it also sports a round case rather than the rectangular ones found on quartz Twenty~4 watches.

Along with the round case and automatic movement, the Twenty~4 is similar to the Datejust in other ways. For instance, there’s the stainless steel 36mm case, 160 diamonds set into the bezel, a variety of sunburst dials on offer, and a three-link steel bracelet. Sure, the dial of the Twenty~4 is sportier in design than the Datejust thanks to the lumed pilot-style numerals and thicker baton hands, and the date window is at 6 rather than 3, yet, the resemblance between the two watches is still strong. If you’re on the hunt for an alternative to a ladies’ Datejust watch, the Patek Philippe Twenty~4 may be what you’re looking for.

Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Automatic Specs

Reference	7300/1200A
Case	36mm, stainless steel
Movement	Automatic movement with 35- to 45-hour power reserve
Bezel	Diamond-set (2 rows)
Water Resistance	30m
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date window at 6 o’clock
Bracelet/Strap	Steel three-link bracelet
2023 MSRP	$29,330

More on Patek Philippe:
Why is The Patek Philippe Nautilus So Expensive?
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Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222

Rolex no longer makes full gold Datejust watches sized 36mm or larger. The company now reserves the full precious metal treatment for smaller Datejust watches and the Day-Date collection. However, the vintage and secondary watch market is still home to an abundance of full yellow gold Datejust 36 watches. Yet, if you’re looking for an extra-special alternative a yellow gold Rolex Datejust, then the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 is a top-tier choice.

The Historiques 222 is a faithful re-issue of the original 222 watch from 1977, which was Vacheron Constantin’s answer to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus integrated-bracelet sports watches that came out the same decade (and a precursor to the Overseas watch). With its 37mm yellow gold case, notched bezel inspired by the Maltese cross, yellow gold integrated bracelet with hexagonal links, and champagne-toned dial with a date window at 3 o’clock, many will agree that the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 is, in fact, an upgraded alternative to the Rolex Datejust.

Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 Specs

Reference	4200H/222J-B935
Case	37mm, yellow gold
Movement	Automatic movement with 40-hour power reserve
Bezel	Maltese-inspired fluted bezel
Water Resistance	50m
Functions	Hours, minutes, seconds, date window at 3 o’clock
Bracelet/Strap	Integrated yellow gold bracelet
2023 MSRP	$74,000

More About Vacheron Constantin:
What is the Price of a Vacheron Constantin Overseas?
New Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph “Panda” for 2023
Best Entry-Level Vacheron Constantin Watches

Finding the Right Rolex Datejust Alternative

There you have it, a range of high-end watches that are similar to the Rolex Datejust but all with their own distinctive design traits and unique appeal. Whichever Datejust alternative you end up deciding on, be it one of the ones we listed or another one, it’s always a good idea to research current market prices as they may be cheaper than retail prices — even for unworn models.

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