The BEST Rolex Alternatives for ANY Budget | Watchfinder & Co.

[@watchfinder]

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[@tausifraza6910]

Hi, What would you choose GMT Master 2 127610 BLRO (Pepsi) or GMT Master 2 16710 ( Pepsi) ? Please let me know. Thanks

[@chawnce1]

Tom's choice of the IWC Spitfire is valid. Honestly if a pilots watch isn't really big its basically a field watch. Nowadays they fill a very similar role.

[@Not-a-bot222]

I use my Damasko DS30 to fill both the pilot and field role in my current collection.

[@NickintheStates]

Please say Pagani Design.. please say Pagani Design... LOL I kid.

[@d7r_tv]

for 400 bucks you have the San Martin SN0054-2 (BB GMT homage) with EXCELLENT build quality.

[@xchazz86]

Yea i agree, i wouldnt mind a review and comparison of the San Martin homages, clones have really come a longway in quality. Really makes you question what are you paying an extra 10 to 20k for?

[@jazzman5598]

😂

[@d7r_tv]

@@xchazz86 exactly. One could argue that you pay for the movement and brand prestige/clout. However, if you argument is about the movement then you have no excuse but to only buy Grand Seikos. I'm at the point that i only kept a Seiko Alpinist 1959 (which wears like a GS) and San Martins which are good and m not afraid getting robbed or lose them. Then only spend real money in GS Spring Drives or their High Beat movement which is cool too.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

I’ve got four of the “P” word watches. They are superb. I don’t need the “superior feel” that wearing a Rolex appears to give. I like good kit, nice car, nice motorbike, nice boat. I can’t bring myself to spend large amounts of cash on a watch that I WILL wear on water at work and play and it will get scratched and occasionally walloped. I ’ve never kerbed my car wheels in three years and that says I’m anal caring for an expensive car. I just can’t bring that across to watches - hence they get used (and boy do those Paganis stand up to wear and tear).

[@grahambawden4060]

I'd give it to Tom. You had a modified Rolex and a Tudor whereas Tom had all alternative brands. Usual excellent informative and amusing video. Keep them coming. 👍⌚😎

[@dtroutmann]

It would have been cool if you both did all of the price brackets for all of the different watches that way there are two choices at each price range for each different watch we like watching you guys or should I say listening to you guys so more is better in this particular case

[@christianhofmann9281]

That’s exactly what I was thinking. Thanks Dillon

[@superwombat42]

Title card states Watchfinder & Co is "Available Worldwide" but T&C on the Watchfinder site states "Watchfinder & Co.’s services are not available in Canada and Watchfinder & Co. does not ship to Canada." We're sorry about Nickelback and Justin Bieber.

[@wisamal-hakim5531]

Oooh I think Tom pipped it. The Forzo is lovely, the spitfire is an interesting but awesome alternative to the explorer, the GS also nice. Andrew’s best pick is the SBGE285, love that watch. Once grand seiko make bracelets that match their watches in terms of quality I will take them very seriously. Until then Rolex still delivers the overall better package I think, even if they’re more expensive

[@sdaafasfad]

GS just need some microadjustment imo, when you're spending money like that on a watch you at least want to have it sit well on your wrist!

[@tafaraphillip]

Man said ‘it low-key slaps’. Peak!

[@jaimefontbona1907]

Finally, a Hoffman panda reviewed, and by one of my favorite reviwers! It is great vintage design driving carefully between making tribute to autavia, UG watches and so many others but without falling into "homage-zone". Great Will Hoffman!

[@ruchusk]

I love how much Tom loves all the marketing fluff

[@calummiddleyard]

I own 2 Hoffman Racing 40 watches. Both Panda and Reverse and they are stunning watches. Fantastic specs and very well made. Paired with the Artem loopless sailcloth strap is just 👌👌

[@dtroutmann]

One could argue that the Submariner is a substitute for the Blancpain

[@mitchmitchell9588]

Clever! And a point well taken.

[@piotrkaczmarczyk1792]

Excellent replacements for those 5 Rolex pieces, Gentlemen. I would add from my side one of the round Bell&Ross chronos as an a bit more pricey alternative for Daytona but not too much.

[@mitchmitchell9588]

Piotr! Excellent recommendation. Are you thinking of the Bellytanker Bronze? That one definitely gives Daytona vibes.

[@piotrkaczmarczyk1792]

@@mitchmitchell9588 Hi Mitch! All the versions of Bellytanker are great, bronze one is exceptional, I had it on my wrist unfortunately reserved already. I lost my interest in the next Speedmaster when I saw Aviation BR 126 GT some time ago but I admit I will hunt for one Bellytanker in the near future. New Studio Underdog chrono was also on my radar, let us wait up to the end of March 2023 for delivery 🙂. All the Best!

[@mitchmitchell9588]

@@piotrkaczmarczyk1792 I wish you good luck with a Bellytanker and the Studio Under0g. As to the latter, did you place your order during the last round? Nice chatting with you and nothing but the best wishes to you.

[@piotrkaczmarczyk1792]

@@mitchmitchell9588 Yes I did. ATB.

[@davebowman1982]

The Ball and the Grand Seiko are great choices 👌🏻

[@dobrintomoff]

it would be really great if you post the names of the watches in the description. great video as always

[@TravelTransferKAPLAN]

GMT - LONGINES Spirit Zulu Time 👍 Diver - TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300M 👍 or TUDOR Pelagos LHD ❤

[@Reladan187]

I think it's close, but Tom did it. The Forzo was great. Andrew killed it with the Ball

[@jamesmolineux2927]

Was definitely hoping for a watch at each price point for each Rolex.

[@tejasvaze5659]

Exactly

[@pablow26]

Nice video. My alternative to the GMT would be the Horage Supersede. They absolutely nailed that watch.

[@d7r_tv]

Nice to those Grand Seiko GMTs popping. They are the absolute best in this space with unbeatable movement.

[@jamesrobert4106]

They are stunning designs across the range in conventional Quartz and Spring drive.

[@d7r_tv]

@@jamesrobert4106 their High-Beat full mechanical is also quite remarkable.

[@alanmckinnon6791]

I just happen to be wearing that very blue Longines Conquest 39mm on a steel bracelet. And that is why Tom wins today!

[@terrydactyl4851]

Those Grand Seikos are a great choice for a GMT alternative, I also think a Longines Spirit Zulu time would be a good choice for less.

[@alexc.3727]

Right! Or a Farer Maze for half the price of that Longines

[@terrydactyl4851]

@@alexc.3727 Hadn’t heard of those before Alex, just had a quick look online. It certainly looks a lovely watch too.

[@audioman612]

Man, seeing Ball on the screen just before going to the GMT made me wish someone would've picked a Ball Roadmaster for their GMT. Definitely takes strong cues from the Rolex GMT Master II, but is different enough to be interesting, plus has an in-house COSC movement.

[@Cloxxki]

My daily is a Pagani Design (not THAT Pagani) "Daytona". Main downside: legibility. Lovely Seiko Megaquartz. I don't use the chrono. Just barely legible. An actual joy to wear. Will upgrade to similar but nicer, maybe 100x the price. Their 42-43mm "Hulk" is pretty nice. Bit too much for my wrist, but it's a fine piece. Wish it had a huge power reserve, but the NH35 works.

[@satiro22]

Very good choices. For the Daytona alternative I would have chosen the very unknown and cheap but great value TEMPORE LUX RACING ONE. FOR THE GMT I love the Longines ZULU Time

[@kenohanrahan4745]

I was hoping for the Zenith chronomaster sport in place of the Daytona. But the two chronos here were valid choices. I thought Andrew was winning, until the Tudor Style killed him off! Well done Tom 👏

[@thecarsavant]

Just purchased a purchased BlackBay Chrono today and couldn't be happier!

[@impexRQ]

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is the worlds first modern diver ever made and the most refined and luxurious diver in todays market…

[@mitchmitchell9588]

Fun game. Great choices. But the HUGE power move was Artisans de Geneva. First, this flows with the customization theory that Mr Hands has been developing. Second, it’s a beautiful watch. Third, when one wears this watch, you will have the confidence to yell at anyone who dares cross you , “You are an INCOMPETENT FOOL!” without fear or reservation. As a side note, their collaborations with Spike Lee are amazing,

[@piotrkaczmarczyk1792]

I have seen their golden variation on Rolex Daytona Rubens Barrichello Project II recently in watch boutique. It is the matter of personal taste if one likes it or not but the execution of their skeletonizing is absolutely stunning.

[@mitchmitchell9588]

@@piotrkaczmarczyk1792 Of course, watches are always a matter of personal taste. I quite like the idea of customization, but I completely understand someone's preference for watches, cars, or whatever that look like the photos in the catalog. You are spot on regarding the technical ability though. Perhaps that is an objective point to which everyone can agree?

[@piotrkaczmarczyk1792]

@@mitchmitchell9588 O yes, you are right, it is the matter of personal choice. I can hardly imagine e.g. skeletonized non-hacking Patek Calatrava or even Orient Bambino small seconds. All the charm is in their simple but very refined, classy look.

[@mitchmitchell9588]

@@piotrkaczmarczyk1792 When I was a kid (many years ago), one of my first watches was a skeletonized Swatch. This was the first generation of Swatches back in the 80s. I loved that watch and its still stored somewhere in the attic. Skeletonization has a time and place. Generally, I agree that it's a party trick and discretion is well advised. However, since you mention the Orient Bambino (what a great watch!), the worst variation of skeletonization is the "open heart", which I see way too often on Orients and Seikos. I really wish they would stop!

[@piotrkaczmarczyk1792]

@@mitchmitchell9588 Yes I agree, most of "open hearts" from whole Epson Group popular products do not present interestingly at all. The idea of revealing elements of industrial class, mass production sturdy calibers is not the best one in regard to aesthetics.

[@statlerwaldorf7130]

Great video, great alternatives to consider guys, cheers

[@johnwick860]

Forzo uses VK63 & sells for $549 Pagani uses the same movement & sells for $80

[@danspencer4235]

The Forza is completely new to me, and a welcome introduction with what appears to be excellent finish.

[@nishsingh8553]

Excellent choices, but I think “watchfinder Stig” takes the win with the Tudor. Sorry Tom, but that IWC is no explorer lolz. Love the content guys 👍🏻

[@neillupton]

Tom won, although surprised there were no omega in the choices… on the explorer alternative thought it would have been a smiths watch or seiko alpinist… the Daytona alternatives looked great.

[@BAF605]

I'd get at least one Rolex and pay the piper if I couldn't get it at an AD (probably the Sub), then get a Tudor Chrono (Daytona), Tudor GMT (GMT master 2), Seiko Alpinist (Explorer), then any sub £1K Datejust lookalike from Seiko, Orient or an entry Swiss brand. A bit predictable but I'd have a nice collection that would hold reasonable value as opposed to making a pile of banknotes and burning them.

[@Padgriffin]

A: And I have chosen… the Rolex Submariner. T: wot This part had me in stitches

[@OsamaAhmed-ov6om]

"it lowkey slaps" had me dying 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@erikig]

I love that Hoffman, very clean homage…

[@andrewd7586]

Impressive cheaper alternatives with the Forzo & Hoffman gents! Longines for mine is just a great watch & brand. I have the Hydro Conquest. The Tudor Style was on my list, well still is but I went for the 1926, 39mm Opaline dial. I agree with Tom on that Rolex CAR CRASH!😖🤢🤣 Very competitive grouping of alternatives! 👏🏻🇦🇺

[@tafaraphillip]

Please do an episode with the coolest nomenclature for watches…Citizen Nighthawk or Omega Avenger anyone😂

[@chriss2122]

Love that McEnroe Sub. I saw it on a certain watch purchase/sales platform a while ago and I really like it.

[@chrisgillanders111]

Liking that Hoffman PN Daytona. Thanks chaps

[@LeVraiMec1st]

Wow the Forzo caught me off guard that’s a great looking watch.

[@spiritofadventure8767]

Awesome as always

[@KonfusedDude]

The Ball watch is a nice choice. Well made for the money. Great features

[@siongheeleong8078]

My tally: Submariner alternative: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (Tom) - This is the superior alternative to the Submariner. It is the true OG. Daytona alternative: Forza (Tom) - Closer in design (3 sub-dials) to the Daytona than the Hoffman is. Explorer alternative: Ball (Andrew) - This is the cheaper and probably better alternative to the Explorer. GMT alternative: Grand Seiko SBGE277 Hotaka (Tom) - Close. I love the SBGE285 Mistflake that Andrew chose but that's more an Explorer II alternative since the bezel is fixed whereas the Hotaka has the appropriate bi-directional bezel. The Hotaka is a better alternative to the GMT Master II with the edge coming from the Spring Drive and that lumed sapphire bezel but offset by the larger size. Datejust alternative: Tudor (Andrew) - The Rolex-approved official clone. Nuff said. Tom wins it (3 to 2) this time.

[@thetruebatman4632]

I’m not an explorer-style fan, but that Ball is so good-looking I’d wear the hell out it!

[@VoodooMike]

Tom had it as soon as he said Blancpain 50 Fathoms.

[@chadgraber4575]

Same for Autodromo. Meca quartz all around.

[@miguelunson6390]

Submariner alternative: Sea Dweller. Daytona alternative: Yachtmaster II. Explorer I alternative: Milgauss. GMT Master II alternative: Sky Dweller. Datejust alternative: Day-Date.

[@ryanseborowski2219]

I think Tom may have a slight edge from a certain point of view, I was thinking the Baltic gmt and a grand seiko spring drive overthe oyster date?

[@ryanseborowski2219]

Fairly convincing logo and wording

[@erik.almgren]

Submariner > ORIS Aquis Date, Daytona > Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Sport, Explorer > Omega Aqua Terra, GMT Master II > Tudor Black Bay GMT, Datejust > Tissot Gentleman

[@ryanseborowski2219]

Ball, luminox and marathon all use tritium i believe they are the only mainstream watch markers who still do

[@9fiveb180]

The Forzo looks like the Porsche Design watches in the Techquipment catalogue. But it totally does have the Zen garden style thingys that the panda one had.

[@dtroutmann]

This Grand Seiko is hot of the list for Holy Grails top of the list for Grand secos out of three or four grand Caicos this is one of the most beautiful watches ever made, it's like caveat with the night Birch being equally as beautiful

[@blackburnheart]

Where is the invicta pro diver?

[@RM-dq9ne]

that Forzo kind of looks the part actually. Cant argue with that finishing. Now slap an autom chrono in it and charge it a 1000 dollars extra..(and change that horrible name)

[@davidwarburton8890]

Loved all of your choices.

[@birdytiger]

I really love the bezel on the blancpain. Am surprised its not "homaged" more frequently

[@watchound.bernardo9738]

Tom got this one 🎉🎉🎉

[@charlesflint9048]

I’ve just got to get one of those Forzo chronographs.❤

[@TheCyclingCardio]

That Forzo is beauuuuutiful

[@kingjok3r173]

Hello there, keep up the good work

[@arslanbali]

I would pick that longines as the clear winner. That’s a beauty.

[@habibmazahir8428]

The Rolex open work and Hoffman are so delicious, its painful.

[@jcrobles63]

I would have picked the LONGINES Spirit Zulu for the GMT

[@smashexentertainment676]

If you really want a Rolex, any the best alternative will always be a reminder of 'I wish I had a Rolex instead'. Don't look for alternatives, look for the watch you really like in a suitable price range. Then it will make you happy.

[@betochiwas]

Once they told in a video that they have to put this ckickbaity articles because they are the ones who draw more views from new people and not just people who follow the channel

[@jamesrobert4106]

@@betochiwas The word Rolex also manipulates the KZbin algorithm so more people are aware of the Watchfinder vids.

[@giusepperocchi2979]

Maybe it will surprise you, but there’s people that wouldn’t pay over retail for a watch (or anything else) even if they could, let alone waiting forever.

[@smashexentertainment676]

@@giusepperocchi2979 Rolex or similar to such retail price watch is luxury, not necessity. So getting a similarly priced replacement to the watch you wish you had sounds pretty silly to me. A constant reminder that it's not a Rolex, a recipe for a huge regret. I'd rather just get another watch I really want that I can get at retail and forget about Rolex.

[@attila2246]

Or just wait a few years. Rolex will be available at retail/discount in 18 months.

[@SusloNick]

looking good and well detailed for their price

[@timsnyder7844]

FYI--John McEnroe was left-handed hence the Rolex "lefty" mod. ;)

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

The custom Sub doesnt count. Its supposed to be a Rolex alternative, not a modded Rolex. Glashutte Original or an Omega would be a better idea.

[@curtbrown7718]

Tie.

[@affegorilla1299]

Why is no one talking about the Omega Chronometer GMT 43mm!? Such a nice watch with everything in it. Imo

[@IceDree]

Lone-Juan! Lmao, good one!

[@attila2246]

Invicta pro diver obv

[@thepictureofdorianyates4840]

Could you guys please name this show and use different titles for it so we know which videos are these and which are the normal reviews and such. Love the channel

[@double00spy]

The 60 minute chronograph subdial on mechaquartz movements is impossible to read. So much so that on the Hoffman they don't bother to mark the minutes. If you want a chronograph that is correct to 2 or 3 minutes, then you should be happy with this. However, I find them useless. That is why most traditional chronos use a 30 minute subdial.

[@atthelord]

Tom got it in the bag.

[@deividasnavickas]

The probably perfect alternative for GMT is Seiko SSK.

[@vaclav_fejt]

Tom won each round, except for the last one. Good job!

[@ryanseborowski2219]

John Walker and I have been talking and we are both disappointed that neither of you fine gentlemen mentioned the Sinn556 as even an honorable mention for an Explorer alternative 😉

[@patientx77]

Rolex Datejust…just get the Omega Globemaster. Tungsten bezel, no date magnifier, better movement and you can actually go to a store buy it.

[@jeroennishikigoi1164]

Tom has got this one!!!🎉🎉

[@padstowphantom]

Rather than a panda face, I would say the Hoffman has a Jack Skellington face

[@Doctors_TARDIS]

Should have made the lowest price bracket under $200

[@hitchhicker92]

Tom owned this one for me...

[@davegreen2009]

The Bvlgari octo world timer? Not worth a shout for the GMT alternative?

[@LanceorTC]

Round 1 - Tom, Round 2 - Tom, Round 3 - Andrew, Round 4 - Andrew, Round 5 - Andrew. So, Andrew won more rounds, IMO. Despite that, I think Andrew's choice of a submariner replacement that requires you to have a submariner to be modified is so bad that Tom still gets the overall win.

[@NW-lj6oo]

£4600 for the IWC Spitfire is insane and is shown to be poor value by the Ball that immediately follows it.

[@spsmith1965]

Just ordered the Forzo.

[@benn0723google]

I have a Davosa ceramic Ternos daily wear

[@davidlivermore5392]

I'd like to see 1 million pound 5 watch collection. Would you still have a G-shock?

[@SlapShotRegatta22]

I'll admit those Forza watches are nice, but the 24h subdial on those Seiko mechaquartz chronograph movements are completely useless and unforgivable.

[@jimlittle5769]

No Omega? Interesting.

[@patientx77]

Rolex Explorer…the obvious alternative is the new Tudor Ranger. Surprised it wasn’t one of the choices 😮

[@crbswiss]

I think Tom's got this one in the bag.

[@kor3xican104]

I give Tom the win

[@misufriendersts9467]

Andrew, you need to start to take Tom more seriously now on :)) I think this time he got you! I suggest a challenge with no other rules than set max prices....who brings the best for the buck.

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Aqua Terra GMT is a great Rolex GMT alternative. As much as i want to like Grand Seiko, the design language just seems sterile to me.

[@mandalay110]

This time, I will give it to Tom! :D