Want a Rolex Daytona? Good luck. To get the iconic chronograph’s 40mm profile and prestigious name on your wrist will cost you over $15,000. 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.
An ongoing shortage of Rolex’s steel sports watches, hype and other factors mean long waiting lists and massively inflated prices, with the secondary 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.
The Daytona is the poster boy for 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 toward watches that offer some of the same aesthetic appeal and functionality but with 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 alternative options below.
Seiko
Seiko Prospex Solar Speedtimer SSC813
- Movement: Seiko Solar V192 quartz chronograph
- Diameter: 39mm
- Water Resistance: 100m
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