5 Alternatives to the Rolex DateJust | Watchfinder & Co.

Sometimes answers are so obvious it’s barely worth asking the questions. If you want a sporty two-plus-two, for example, that handles like a racer yet will happily sit in a Monday morning queue, you get a 911. Or, if you want a 3-hander that’s both rugged and elegant, you get a DateJust. It’s practically written in the stars, but yet-sometimes what seems to be the right answer isn’t always the best answer. That’s why cars like the McLaren 540C, Aston Martin Vantage and Audi R8 exist, and it’s why the watches you’re about to see exist as well.
Featured Watches:
Omega Seamaster Railmaster 220.10.40.20.03.001
Breitling Transocean A10360
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 114300
IWC Ingenieur IW323310
Vacheron Constantin FiftySix 4600E/000A-B442
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[@watchfinder]

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[@martialwhite6831]

Oh boy, that VC is magnificent!

[@vortextubes]

The VC Fiftysix is the star of the video! 😊👍

[@bloodmorel]

I'm a big fan of Omega, and love the Railmaster. But if I'm pitching against the Datejust, I'd have chosen an Aqua Terra.

[@CAF749]

Yes.....

[@SteveKemper]

Or even a Globemaster.

[@lewisjones3345]

I think the Globemaster is a great competitor to the fluted DJ, and the AT more of the comp for the smooth bezel DJ

[@flyboy747uk]

The VC 56 looks far better than any Rolex, simple stylish and elegant.

[@tar1895]

Like the IWC. A throwback to their great watches of the 50s and 60s.

[@swabby429]

Personally, I think the Tudor "1926" in either the 41 mm or 39 mm fits the bill perfectly.

[@perfectpetsproducts1238]

I like the comparison of watch's and cars.

[@Dmunze9]

R8 is the omega sea master of cars

[@nekeke1]

That VC looks great!.

[@edsheddy4369]

Very strange to see Railmaster as alternative to DateJust. Why not the Globemaster with date and fluted bezel?

[@jazzbeaunola]

"...those who find the Cyclops magnifying window akin to a pustule..." OMG, I can't stop laughing!

[@robertsullivan4773]

Was laughing right with you. I just landed a GMT love the watch but that Cyclopes is really horrid.

[@devonhayes2209]

I can’t stop barfing 🤮

[@laurencewalls9493]

Elegantly written, elegantly delivered. Fantastic, thank you.

[@draganzlatanovic4096]

OK, so you end up with catching the seconds between the transition of the watches !?!!! SUPERB detail !! ;)

[@AT-fi9dj]

This video is so relevant to today. I watched it when it came out and I just watched it again just now and it makes even more sense.

[@manuch68]

I go with a Chopard Alpine Eagle . Really love it’s dial and the overall finish.

[@csnoopy]

Got an OP 39 back in January and wore it pretty much everyday. puts a smile on my face every time I wear it

[@tomscott4438]

I just saw the Vacheron with the blue dial at a local AD. It is breathtaking, and the level of detail and finish leaves the others in the dust. I find myself flinching at calling a $10K watch "value" but with that build, refined movement, and a pedigree going back to 1775 while also being fairly available it's hard to overlook and it just may find a home in my collection... proudly.

[@lucentics]

I’m buying it this month. What do you think?

[@aravpanwar2431]

@@lucentics how's it?

[@Hamburgerdad]

Never thought I'd be able to afford a Vacheron Constantin. I still can't, but maybe if I go live in a box for a year I'll be able to get this one!

[@tomkhong9828]

VC Fifty Six has just won my heart

[@kevinc1001]

I’m really digging that VC.

[@giveML]

I've always loved your automotive analogues

[@user-fi5fr9us2t]

Awesome as always ! Please do a review of the JLC Amvox 1 Aston Martin ( Green )

[@svon_b]

I was in exactly the same spot and tried many watches, including the omega and the iwc. However both did not win me over entirely. Finally i ended up with the perfect alternative from also my favorite watch brand: the Zenith El Primero Espada with the silver sunburst dial. I am absolutely in love with it and find myself not having thought about the DJ ever since.

[@shaunpatrick8345]

That's a great looking watch on its own terms, and the sunburst effect even looks somewhat like the DJ's fluted bezel, which makes it a better alternative than any of the ones in this video!

[@MrViicc]

I love that you compare them to cars. As a car guy getting into Horology this is perfect!

[@plainsimple5262]

To me has to be the Constantin but as I haven’t got there just yet. I bought the omega Railmaster (denim), an amazing watch for the money, an understated piece and I love it!

[@aaronschen9896]

By far the best quality watch videos on KZbin.

[@malthus101]

Nice line up - I like the Railmaster but this one with brushed blue on the dial is the nicest I've seen so far. Never seen that VC before either, it's very attractive for a VC but very similar to the JLC Master Control - and given the price, I'd go JLC.

[@romangrom6853]

What an excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@Martin-pb7ts]

Loved the pustule comparison and this little pearl too: "offers gold as it's most inferior metal". Lol. Just fantastic.

[@johannesstevens1929]

How much do you think it cost in South Africa , Martin the railmaster. 🌝

[@ChrisBeckman]

Great content!

[@RickyRicon2023]

Amazing comparisons ! nice alternatives ... thanks a lot !! vacheron movement is so beautiful !!

[@bgh2384]

Love my datejust 41 in white gold. It’s my daily watch. I also have a JLC Master Ultra thin, which is a little bit dressier, but still a good comparison. The JLC has a moon-phase that the Rolex doesn’t offer and in stainless for about the same price.

[@1AlphaCrux]

Great selection!!

[@vaughanatkinson8421]

Good contrast of watches, and as always very well presented!

[@operamatthew]

love the dial on that omega

[@Pulsonar]

@ 5:02 ...’cyclops akin to a pustule’ 😂 I love the cyclops stop knocking it 😂

[@Eric_Nielsen]

The Railmaster is nice & all, but you've missed the most obvious alternative, the one I own: the Constellation Globemaster. I had not given it much thought until seeing under glass next to an Aqua Terra Annual and below a slew of SMP300's. Once in hand, the bracelet & bezel sang like no other Omega. Or Rolex.

[@MrWallexxx]

You’ve opened up my eyes!

[@johnn9106]

The best watch reviewer by far!!! Keep up the good work!

[@MichaelLee-pq2qw]

"cyclops magnifying window akin to a pustule" so funny and true for me. Let's go with the Grand Seiko SBGA201 as a great alternative.

[@drewward6895]

Very well done video

[@ukadventures5660]

Got to say I wasn’t too keen on the Cyclops on the Datejust at first and considered having it removed, but now I have the watch I quite like it there

[@PatB413]

That VC56!!! Love it :)

[@MrMattrowe33]

I have my Rolex Day Date 40 in shiny white gold, I love it. It's one of my essential items.

[@danielorozco1728]

That breitling is stunning

[@krokodyl1927]

The 39mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual as depicted is simple, elegant, & sporty. A gorgeous watch that will stand the test of time with its rugged reliability.

[@Spiederia]

Absolutely. I have the OP39 Rhodium, and love it. Perfect for every occasion.

[@dreitzell78]

I tried the OP 39 in white on today...I must say it was really nice. Would be my pick.

[@thomasmoll8822]

They’re more or less unavailable, though...

[@krokodyl1927]

Thomas Moll Worth the wait though. Shop around. Best regards.

[@AirAdam13]

@@thomasmoll8822 Didn't realise they were currently hard to get! Definitely worth the search and the wait, as Lester says.

[@TheOneInYellow]

Another comparison would be the Omega Constellation Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer series, which were the first timepieces to have Master Chronometer certification and the 8900 calibre. That series is, like the Railmaster, 15,000 Gauss anti-magnetic, and 100m water resistant. I'm an owner of the stainless steel/tungsten bezel with blue dial, and it's certainly a Datejust competitor and can compete against the other watches featured, but of course the VC has superior hand finishing and haute pedigree. The Globemaster even has the original styled, but modern reissued, coin-edge flutted bezel that Omega first pioneered to market, before Rolex created their own version for the Datejust. Both are awesome watches, but I prefer the technicalities of the Omega, and I also have a nice sapphire display caseback too. I'm glad Omega are extending their Master Chronometer calibres to many more watches in Omega's catalogue, including recently the Speedmaster and Seamaster series!

[@aravinthiron]

Opinion or advice please, I'm into bronze watches now should i go for the Tudor Bronze Slate Grey or the MontBlanc Bronze Geosphere ? Thank you!

[@yoadhakim8614]

The fifty six with the blue dial is just killing the rest. Amazing piece!!

[@marktierney2986]

yoad hakim I was born in 1956 and blue is my favourite colour sounds like my next birthday present has hit my radar.

[@kevintoth5365]

Not just the blue dial...The 56 is masterful elegant and so moving watch...True underrated masterpiece.

[@andrewnibbi]

I just picked up that piece for my birthday and it is utterly fantastic. The way it plays with the light between all the edges and lines of the case is immensely beautiful.

[@paulyoung5514]

@@andrewnibbi I'm saving for one, did you get the blue or silver?

[@andrewnibbi]

@@paulyoung5514 I went for the blue, and some day I might regret it when every damn watch in my collection is blue, but until that day comes I absolutely love it. The other varieties are all differing measures of austere, but the blue gives it a smart casual flair that helps when you want to dress it down. The dial is flat, rather than being patterned in any way, but this helps with the legibility and isn’t a big problem IMO. Overall, I have to recommend it 100%. Super classy, excellent case design, sits perfectly on the wrist, and goes with just about anything. Having 5 Maltese crosses on your wrist at one time really doesn’t hurt either 😊

[@jianjunsg]

it's a joy to watch this review.

[@nashespiritu]

The IWC is amazing no lie but that VC is beautiful

[@FirestormAA]

V.C is a beauty!

[@pederlindstrom3132]

Hello again from Sweden. Those are all butiful watches. My first choice would be the Omega. VC as a close second and the Breitling as a casual wearer.

[@morvinshah]

I feel the 41mm Omega Aqua Terra 2017 is the Omega contender, not the Railmaster which lacks the date window

[@johnsihn4520]

morvin shah I’d gladly take an aqua terra over a DJ everyday.

[@centrallyintelligentagency]

Personally, the Railmaster would be my choice. An Aqua Terra has styling that is somewhat divisive among the community, and personally, the Railmaster with anthracite dial looks very, very elegant.

[@morvinshah]

F Respects Well styling is pretty subjective. But the Aqua Terra has horizontal lines which is the same design language as the Patek Philippe Nautilus. So to each his own but to my eye the AT looks pretty classy

[@gpearce11]

I agree. I think the Railmaster is a great Explorer I and Milgauss competitor, while the Aqua Terra and Globemaster are better Datejust competition. The AT 41mm is my personal choice.

[@patrickmacleod2415]

@@gpearce11 Agreed- I love my Railmaster but it just doesn't make sense for a Datejust comparison.

[@robertsullivan4773]

Great review of some great watches.

[@webvideofan]

Love that IWC.

[@fauzanc]

As a car nerd myself, this channel is pure bliss

[@jamesreid6616]

Ball watch’s Marvelight 40mm with in house 7309 movement. 80 hours. COSC

[@AkashKumar-mt8ec]

The intro gave me goosebumps

[@notmyfault6835]

Nothing but SMILES throughout this entire presentation!!

[@mikelawrence6840]

that vc omg!

[@bahalvorsen]

Other favourites in the Datejust category; Glashütte Original Seventies Omega Globemaster Zenith Defy Classic Cartier Santos Grand Seiko SBHG267 or SBGH273 IWC Ingenieur 3239 series Girard Perregaux Laureato

[@AngelInTheDesert]

The VC is gorgeous

[@augiedoggie]

If you’re interested in vintage go for an Omega 166.010 / 168.024. You can get one for under $2,000 fairly easily and they’re value proposition is strong in comparison to the DJ

[@ahmedsajeel2366]

Excellent reviews. The 36mm DateJust however still seems to occupy an unassailable place, all its own 😊

[@stationplaza4631]

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual, would be my choice...Simply lovely.

[@nerf287]

I like the comparison to many cars. So for car guys its better to understand !

[@balesjo]

I'm not a big fan of Rolex, but I really did like the Rolex Oyster Perpetual with blue dial. (Relatively) affordable, it's simplicity is what appeals to me. But the Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix would by a serious contender. There is one with a blue dial that is a killer look.

[@robertorizzo3159]

where do you get the words!!! amazing

[@niklasbrandt1629]

Genialer Klassiker. Immer wieder eine Viertelstunde wert.

[@arbogash1852]

I thought it was good that you compared with examples that varied. No date. More expensive. Different size. I think you were trying to address the underlying motivation of some generic Datejust purchaser, and seeing if there was a possibility of redirecting them to something nominally out of the box, but ultimately somewhat still in it. Nice. The VC in the end won the prize.

[@MrGdawg125]

I'm only 21 years old, and don't have much money to spend on watches, so my favorite sub $500 alternative is the Seiko SARB035 or SARB033

[@neoLover23]

Grant C as you begin your journey into this hobby don’t get caught buying too many cheap watches. Get a seiko and then stop, save money, save money, save. And then graduate into a higher quality watch. I still love my seiko 5 and samurai but those watches are what they are, they don’t come close to the euphoria one gets with a higher end watch. Go try one as many higher end watches you can, you will understand. Have fun!

[@BarnOwl61]

This Breitling is the most beautiful I have ever seen from the brand. But the magnificent Vc. wins this battle for me. Although Omega is my favourite brand, this model is not, i'am afraid. So, yes, the VC I choose.

[@MrRoyck10]

VC is haute horology with a beautiful case back display and craftmanship that eludes the likes of Rolex, omega and Breitling, only IWC comes closer with their high end pieces.

[@philiploveswatcheswhiskies9832]

Could you review Longines grey dial automatic hydroconquest

[@MAC-ez2rq]

I will go with the Omega Railmaster at this time.

[@chrisb9156]

Love the car reference

[@moongazer2049]

I have that Seiko awesome piece

[@vishalkalra2431]

The Rolex OP 39 with Rhodium dial is absolutely stunning, classic and elegant!

[@limirl]

Hate that they discontinued it and replaced it with the gaudy pastel colors

[@odysseusinspace9704]

These are all amazing watches, but what about Nomos? A club datum would be a good choice.

[@ifjfgvjfidifijf]

Can't believe this guy just compare a VC to a DJ. VC is on another level

[@J-SH06]

I just got the VC. Waiting for it to be delivered. Can’t wait.

[@RickyRicon2023]

in silver or in blue ? and what is your experience with you VC ?

[@Richie_P]

Only two of those watches were on bracelet, which I feel is mandatory for a DateJust alternative. Of course, those two, the Railmaster and the Oyster Perpetual, are more alternatives to each other rather than alternatives to the DateJust.

[@Meatlooaf]

that VC is beautiful!

[@abiromu]

That Vacheron is irresistible!

[@johnnybgood7812]

Man alive,that VC 56 is a stunner! I might throw a couple of the latest Grand Seikos into the mix here maybe? The SLGH003G or SLHG005 perhaps?

[@alexbrown7665]

That IWC

[@giangvu7902]

Vacheron Constantin FiftySix for sure!

[@golfben86]

Railmaster, although a great piece, is far too casual to be compared to the DJ. I’d put one of the dressier aqua Terra models in this list instead. Also, Grand Seiko is nailing the casual dressy hybrid with almost every one of their watches in the 44gs case, that would be one to topple the DJ.

[@TimSKarlsson]

I thought of getting a datejust as my first high end watch but bought the Longines master day date 38.5mm instead. I have had the watch for a litte over a year now and i am so happy with my choice! Absolutly beautiful on a brown leather strap!

[@arefinlabib4630]

Hey man... what is the music you use!

[@sotos3333]

Top review, what about a review on a Rolex 114060? Thanks

[@zulu6ix290]

Love the OP

[@dominiccallaghan1176]

My alternative is the Seiko 5 SNXS79

[@richouk]

JLC master control date sector dial

[@DanyboyS7]

I want the oyster perpetual with polished center links

[@bmistry88]

what is the model number of the IWC at 5.56. Thanks

[@ourtube2693]

Does that white Vacheron fifty six come on the steel bracelet like the blue dial does?

[@majidm87]

That iwc is beautiful

[@belluco]

The Ball Marvelight would be quite a good choice as well!

[@tayeloluferreira7274]

great reviews. please, can you review alain silberstein watches? thanks.