Like Rolex, Omega is another brand with two different collections of professional dive watches, and in the same way that the Sea-Dweller is the bigger and more capable brother to the Submariner, the Planet Ocean is the scaled-up version of the brand’s standard Seamaster Diver. With double the depth rating and an even wider range of available configurations, the Omega Planet Ocean is priced above the normal Seamaster, yet you could still likely purchase both a Planet Ocean and a Seamaster Diver 300M for less than the price of the current replica Rolex Submariner on the pre-owned market.
Not including the various chronograph and GMT variants, the Omega Planet Ocean is currently available in either a 39.5mm or a 43.5mm case and offered in a wide range of different configurations including high-tech materials like colored ceramic and even some ultra-lavish gem-set references crafted from solid 18k gold. Additionally, just like the standard Seamaster Diver, Omega Planet Ocean replica watches feature ceramic bezels, ceramic dials, METAS-certified Master Chronometer movements, and manually-operated helium escape valves that allow them to be used for saturation diving applications.
No list of Rolex Submariner alternatives would be complete without at least one model from Rolex’s sister brand, and the Tudor Black Bay is a fantastic option that offers a lot of the same fun and styling of a vintage Submariner, but with modern technology and at an exponentially more adorable price point. While the 39mm Black Bay Fifty-Eight is the fake watch that most closely adheres to the proportions of vintage Submariner references, it is the full-size 41mm models that are the closest relatives to the current-production Rolex Submariner.
The Tudor Black Bay does offer a lower depth rating than the Submariner (200m vs. 300m) and the bezel insert is made from aluminum (rather than ceramic). However, 200 meters is more than enough for professional scuba diving use and given that it is a vintage-inspired watch, an aluminum insert is simply more appropriate. Most importantly, you can add a Tudor Black Bay to your collection for less than a third of the price of a Rolex Submariner, while also having your choice of three different colorways and the option of either a leather strap, fabric strap, or matching stainless steel bracelet.