What are some watches comparable to Rolex in quality

[fareplay]

But at a much more affordable secondary market value? Looking for something with a complex in house movement in a good /great finish comparable to my sub.

Was looking at IWC and Longines but curious as to other options. Want the best value delta from MSRP. Was looking at Tudor but it felt a bit too rough vs the rolex variants

[Old Expat Beast]

Grand Seiko.

[designerlars]

I really enjoy my grand seiko golden snowflake. There are some really beautiful grand seikos out there. I tried on their dive watch and determined it wasn’t for me but this snowflake is a must have imo. It is both casual and sporty.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Grand Seiko.

This ^^^

I also think that a Panerai provide decent value on the secondary market.

[Driver8]

Another vote for Grand Seiko. They're probably the most "in house"/vertically integrated of any manufacturer in the world. Finishing is truly superb and the movements are incredible.

The only downsides compared to Rolex are firstly, the bracelets and clasps - very little adjustment on the majority of the clasps, and tolerances on the bracelet just aren't quite as tight as Rolex's IMO - and secondly, there's usually a complete absence of lume on most GS models. The divers are an obvious exception in the lume department, plus they have adjustable clasps, but the clasp design is horrible and chunky IMO.

[Saransh]

I love my tudor i have three rolexes but this one is so much bang for your buck grand seiko is also nice but not my cup of tea for a dress watch

[Smobews]

I'm a big fan of Omega's Planet Ocean line and the latest Speadmaster with the 3861 movement. I find the build quality and finish as good as my Rolexes. The movements are also world class.

[fareplay]

Originally Posted by Smobews

I'm a big fan of Omega's Planet Ocean line and the latest Speadmaster with the 3861 movement. I find the build quality and finish as good as my Rolexes. The movements are also world class.

I was looking at omega aqua terra worldtimer actually but also like speedies. My main concern is omega to Rolex comparison and wonder to myself if people with speedies see a Daytona and feel sad they didn’t get one


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[Smobews]

Originally Posted by fareplay

I was looking at omega aqua terra worldtimer actually but also like speedies. My main concern is omega to Rolex comparison and wonder to myself if people with speedies see a Daytona and feel sad they didn’t get one


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They can't be too sad with an extra $35K in their pocket and a speedy on the wrist.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by fareplay

I was looking at omega aqua terra worldtimer actually but also like speedies. My main concern is omega to Rolex comparison and wonder to myself if people with speedies see a Daytona and feel sad they didn’t get one

People will only think that if, a) they've always just wanted the Rolex, in which case anything else is second best, or b) if they're more concerned about what others think.

[tjs1295]

I only have three nice watches. Submariner 116610, Omega Planet Ocean 39.5 mm, and most recent Omega Diver 300M. All purchased new, and paid well below MSRP for all of them. Enjoy the Omegas as much, if not more than the Rolex. Quality seems exactly the same between all three.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Grand Seiko.

solid

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Grand Seiko.

Have agree in many ways far superior in build quality than Rolex but today many wear the name on the dial not the watch.

[Krash]

I think in the $10,000 and under range, it's really just Omega for me.

Others will say Grand Seiko, JLC, Cartier, Zenith, IWC and maybe a couple other brands.

Tudor is more in the Tag Heuer and Breitling category. Nothing wrong with them at all, but they're not in the same league as Rolex.

[amh]

Omega is about 30% less on secondary market. However one must overlook the bracelets, they're nothing like Rolex.

Grand Seiko is great but no one spends any time looking at their wonderful movements. If you like the ambiguous styling they're a good option and superior in quality.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by fareplay

I was looking at omega aqua terra worldtimer actually but also like speedies. My main concern is omega to Rolex comparison and wonder to myself if people with speedies see a Daytona and feel sad they didn’t get one


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What?? I’d only choose a Daytona over a Speedy of superior water resistance is needed. The Speedy is one of the all-time great watches.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by fareplay

I was looking at omega aqua terra worldtimer actually but also like speedies. My main concern is omega to Rolex comparison and wonder to myself if people with speedies see a Daytona and feel sad they didn’t get one


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The fact that you are concerned about a Rolex to Omega comparison says everything...

I don't feel sad. I love my Speedmaster and you couldn't give me a Daytona... Ok you could, but I'd wear my Speedmaster more. (*I'd gladly wear a vintage Daytona though)

Some alternatives as mentioned above. JLC and Zenith are top on my list, even over Rolex.

[fareplay]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

The fact that you are concerned about a Rolex to Omega comparison says everything...

I don't feel sad. I love my Speedmaster and you couldn't give me a Daytona... Ok you could, but I'd wear my Speedmaster more.

Some alternatives as mentioned above. JLC and Zenith are top on my list, even over Rolex.

You’re right about the omega in me. I do love a JLC but they don’t really make sport watches


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[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Grand Seiko.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by fareplay

You’re right about the omega in me. I do love a JLC but they don’t really make sport watches


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They do, though... It's called the Polaris.

Also you can check out the Master Control line... not the greatest water resistance and no bracelet, but pretty sporty. I just tried one on recently, but I felt it was too big for my wrist.

Another one top on my list that I forgot was the GO SeaQ. I prefer the 39mm variant, but the Panodate is larger at 43mm (not for me).

[fareplay]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

They do, though... It's called the Polaris.

Also you can check out the Master Control line... not the greatest water resistance and no bracelet, but pretty sporty. I just tried one on recently, but I felt it was too big for my wrist.

Another one top on my list that I forgot was the GO SeaQ. I prefer the 39mm variant, but the Panodate is larger at 43mm (not for me).

Not bad can be had for 6k, def worth considering


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[dannyp]

JLC
GP (other than Laureato)
Blancpain
Zenith


Is actually considering all of these superior in terms of craftsmanship but all take a dive on secondary market.

A Fifty Fathoms will get you Sub-level WR, too.

[Spartyfan6262]

I'd make a strong push for Blancpain. The Fifty Fathoms and Bathyscaphe exceed Rolex quality by leaps and bounds, and on the secondary market you can get each for less than the price of a gray market Submariner.

[mongrelnomoad]

Grand Seiko
JLC
IWC
Omega

And if you come talking smack about the Speedie, someone's gonna have to clean your mouth out. ;)

I jest, but only a little. Speedie > Daytona each and every day unless it's vintage.

[Ferdelious]

Glashutte Original

[prodigyhtx]

I would say Omegas as well.

[Guybrush]

Omega (obviously), GS, IWC, Panerai… I’d put JLC a level above Rolex in terms of horology and finishing.

Think we’d need more detail about what exactly you’re after. I mean, you can get vintage Vacheron pieces with gorgeous cases (albeit like 34-35mm) for less than new Rolexes.

If you’re open to microbrands, the world opens wide.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Spartyfan6262

I'd make a strong push for Blancpain. The Fifty Fathoms and Bathyscaphe exceed Rolex quality by leaps and bounds, and on the secondary market you can get each for less than the price of a gray market Submariner.

No, actually you can probably find some new for less than Sub at MSRP

[fareplay]

Originally Posted by Guybrush

Omega (obviously), GS, IWC, Panerai… I’d put JLC a level above Rolex in terms of horology and finishing.

Think we’d need more detail about what exactly you’re after. I mean, you can get vintage Vacheron pieces with gorgeous cases (albeit like 34-35mm) for less than new Rolexes.

If you’re open to microbrands, the world opens wide.

I’m open to micro brands. Prefer more sports chrono or annual calendar for 10-15k


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[Guybrush]

So you want a sports chrono from a brand comparable in quality to Rolex in the 10-15k range that has a softer touch than Rolex on the preowned market…

Why aren’t you buying a Speedmaster? Heck, with that budget, buy two—new from an AD! Get the display caseback—Omega movements are way better-finished than anything Rolex makes. And the case finishing is just as good.