Want a Rolex Daytona? Well, to get the iconic chronograph’s 40mm profile and prestigious name on your wrist will cost you $15,100. That, of course, is just the base price of the watch in steel — if you’re lucky enough to pay retail for it, which ain't likely: a shortage of Rolex’s steel sports watches, hype and other factors mean long waiting lists and massively inflated prices, with the pre-owned and vintage markets often being even crazier.
The Daytona has taken different forms over the years since its introduction in 1963, but pretty much any chronograph watch with certain common features will beg comparison to it. It's that important and influential of a watch, and the reasons for this are complicated (see above linked articles). The Daytona is the poster boy of the expensive, hard-to-get Rolex grail, so you're not alone in wanting one — and brands are keen to offer you an alternative. Rather than a straight-up knockoff, we'd steer you towards watches that offer some of the same aesthetic appeal and functionality but their own character.
Sure, you might want to join a waitlist and start saving up, but if you're in need of a fix to tide you over in the meantime, or simply dig the style, try one of the options below.
The Alternatives
Q Timex Chronograph
- Movement: Quartz
- Diameter: 40mm
- Water Resistance: 50m
The tachymeter bezel, the contrasty subdials, the retro-sporty good looks…it’s all there in the Q Timex Chronograph. If the Daytona look is what you’re after, this is a visually comparable option that’ll cost a tiny fraction (about 2%) of Rolex retail pricing. At 40mm, it should even provide a wearing experience close to that of the Daytona. It’s powered by a quartz movement, but features thoughtful details that reference racing chronographs from the 1960s.
Seiko Prospex Solar Speedtimer SSC813
- Movement: Seiko Solar V192 quartz
- Diameter: 39mm
- Water Resistance: 100m
Though inspired by the brand's own model from 1969, the modern Speedtimer's retro chrono vibes give more than a subtle nod to the Daytona's iconic looks. That might have to do with why, upon its release, watch enthusiasts got more excited than they usually might about a solar-powered quartz watch. Its ideal size at 39mm might also have had something to do with its popularity, but a larger 41.4mm model is also available in the SSC911.
Baltic Tricompax
- Movement: Sellita SW510 hand-wound
- Diameter: 39.5mm
- Water Resistance: 50m
The Baltic Tricompax a great looking watch and probably aesthetically as close as you'll get to a vintage Daytona on this list — but it's also a hell of a value. We've regularly been impressed with the French brand's bang for buck, but a Swiss mechanical chronograph for under $2,000 ain't bad even if it's not this pretty. At 39.5mm, you're also getting a vintage wearing experience and even a reasonably thin profile at 13.5mm thick thanks to its hand-wound movement. (If the Baltic Tricompax is sold out, its next run is expected soon.)
Tudor Black Bay Chrono
- Movement: Tudor MT5813 automatic chronometer
- Diameter: 41mm
- Water Resistance: 200m
If the Tudor brand itself represents an alternative to its pricier sister company Rolex, then the Black Bay Chrono is its Daytona. The differences between the two give the Black Bay its own personality, but comparisons are inevitable and similarities work in its favor. Tudor, however, offers legendary bang for buck, with an automatic chronograph movement developed together with Breitling — and many components produced in the same facilities as those in Rolex watches.
Zenith Chronomaster Sport
- Movement: El Primero cal. 3600
- Diameter: 41mm
- Water Resistance: 100m
The Daytona's status means any watch with a certain combination of fairly common features will inevitably draw comparison, and with Zenith's new Chronomaster Sport, we’re getting closer to the modern Daytona both in terms of looks and price. Zenith's signature overlapping subdials help give their watch its own twist, but the look is similar enough that many will assume Zenith is trying to offer a more available and attainable Rolex alternative. It's still a Zenith chronograph, though, and that means you're getting a wildly cool, automatic hi-beat movement with history.
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