Feature: Rolex Daytona alternatives that cost less than you think
The Rolex Daytona is one of the most recognisable watches out there from possibly the most popular watch brand of our time. Yet with all the hype comes hefty price tags and waitlists to match. If you’d rather avoid the queue and the bank-busting prices for this iconic model, consider these alternatives that are as easy on your wallet as they are on your eyes.
Tudor Black Bay M79360N-0002
As Rolex’s sister brand, Tudor makes an obvious choice for a dedicated Rolex alternative list. That said, this Black Bay is worthy of some attention regardless of its affiliation with the Crown. Featuring a classic “Panda” dial via the two black chronograph subdials on the white dial and a black tachymetric bezel, this is a classic example of a vintage-cool racing-inspired chronograph—just like the Daytona.
Zenith El Primero 03.2041.4052/69.C496
Zenith and Rolex share a fabled past thanks to the Crown relying on a Zenith movement for its Daytona for over a decade. In fact, the Daytona was the last Rolex model to use a movement that wasn’t made in-house, the calibre 4030—based on the El Primero 400. This Zenith features a dial with three slightly overlaid counters in light and dark grey and navy-blue. Powering this piece is the El Primero 4052 B movement which features a central seconds hand making one rotation every ten seconds.
Longines Heritage Avigation L2.816.1.93.2
Longines is a brand associated with great quality at affordable prices and this Heritage Avigation model is no different. Featuring a titanium case, blue gradient dial with three chronograph counters and faux-lumed Arabic numerals—this is one highly legible piece that’s perfect for travelling through the sky at speed, as opposed to the racetrack. Either way, this Longines makes a cool option for those after a Daytona lookalike, regardless of its aviation roots.
Breitling Premier B01 AB0118
This “Panda” dial Breitling might have one less subdial than the Daytona but it does have a date window, which the Daytona chooses to omit. Besides that, it gives the Rolex a run for its money, with the same 100-metre water resistance and a 70-hour power reserve—a couple of hours less than the Daytona’s. The automatic movement is also a COSC-certified chronometer and can be viewed through the caseback.
TAG Heuer Autavia CBE2111.BA0687
This limited-edition Autavia certainly flaunts that Daytona style with the three chronograph sub dials in the classic panda colourway. Although, to the delight of many, it doesn’t share the Daytona’s price tag. At a fraction of the price pre-owned, this piece from Heuer’s oldest collection is purpose-built to resemble the dashboards in rally cars and airplanes—just like the Rolex.
Chopard Mille Miglia 168915-100
Named after the glamorous Italian Formula One race, Chopard’s Mille Miglia is inspired by the classic lines and shapes of vintage cars. Of course, it features three chronograph sub dials reminiscent of a car’s dash, similar to the Daytona. This limited edition watch features a light grey dial giving it a retro appeal and flaunts the Mille Miglia logo on the sub dial at 3 o’clock.
Breitling Chronomat 41AB0144
In true Breitling style, this is a watch associated more with aviation than race car driving, but that doesn’t take away from its resemblance to the much-loved Daytona. However, it does feature a more curvaceous case and chunky bezel—in usual Breitling fashion—compared to the Rolex. Also, three sub dials are present on the Breitling’s black dial creating a reverse panda effect.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 311.30.42.30.01.005
Yes, the Daytona will forever be surrounded by the sacred aura of Paul Newman but this iconic Omega Speedmaster had the rocket fuel of NASA to propel it to stardom, making it perhaps the most famous chronograph ever made. The Speedmaster Moonwatch has all the kudos of its Rolex rival and is more easily available, while it also comes with both self-winding and, like this version, manual movements—unlike the Daytona, which is only self-winding.
TAG Heuer Carrera CV2010.FC6233
TAG Heuer can claim to have a far stronger motor-racing pedigree than Rolex thanks to models like the Monaco, Monza and the Carrera, which was introduced in 1963. This means the TAG Heuer Carrera shares the same birth year as the Daytona, and they were once run on the same movement. Thankfully one thing they don’t have in common is price range. The Carrera costs a fraction of what you’ll pay for a Daytona and for that you get a fine-looking watch that’s soaked in heritage.
Bell & Ross BR126-94
As well as their highly distinctive square-cased models that look like a bird’s eye view of a DJ’s turntable, Bell & Ross make more conventional-looking watches such as this two-register chronograph. More military-looking than the sporty Daytona and with the classic Bell & Ross large-type numerals, it’s an effortlessly stylish piece in PVD-coated steel. Paul Newman himself would approve.
Breitling Navitimer AB0127
In the chronograph Hall of Fame, the Navitimer’s place is assured, thanks to an illustrious history that involves its own space mission. NASA astronaut Scott Carpenter wore one when he orbited the Earth in the Aurora 7 space capsule in 1962. And whereas the Daytona is associated with motor-racing, the Breitling Navitimer has proved its mettle in the field of aviation for decades.
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