Fratello’s Top 5 Rolex Datejust Alternatives In 2026

Another Friday, another list! This week, we’re starting a new series looking for alternatives to some of the world’s most popular watches. We’ll kick the series off with five alternatives to the iconic Rolex Datejust. The Crown’s classic, with roots going back to 1945, is one of the most popular daily wearers. While its legacy is undeniably grand, some people want a different everyday watch. Whether that’s due to their budgets or because it’s simply not their watch of choice, there are plenty of reasons. For all those people, we have selected five possible alternatives to the Rolex Datejust.

To clarify, in this series, we will highlight alternatives currently in their respective brands’ collections. We’re not ruling out making lists with pre-owned options in the future because that would open the door to even more goodness. For now, though, let’s check out our five favorite Rolex Datejust alternatives that you can buy new today.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M

The immediate first pick is the extensive lineup of Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra options. Just like the Rolex Datejust, the Aqua Terra comes in a variety of sizes and dial colors. Currently, Omega offers the Aqua Terra in 30mm and 34mm sizes for ladies and 38mm and 41mm models for both ladies and gentlemen. The Aqua Terra in any size is a tremendous all-arounder that has proven its worth in the Omega collection and has long been a fan favorite.

The most impactful introductions we have seen over the past few years are, without a doubt, the models featuring new glossy dials and curvy, tapering bracelets. It started with the Aqua Terra Shades models in 2023. After that, the collection expanded to include more dial colors, and Omega also introduced black-dial versions in multiple sizes. As the collection stands today, you basically have the choice between Aqua Terra time-and-date models with teak-deck-inspired dials and flat-link bracelets or glossy dials and the curvy, tapering bracelets.

An abundance of Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra options

The 38mm versions house Omega’s caliber 8800, while the 41mm models feature caliber 8900. Both movements are METAS-certified Master Chronometers equipped with a Co-Axial escapement and accurate to within 0/+5 seconds per day on average. Compared to caliber 8800’s 55-hour power reserve, caliber 8900’s is slightly longer, coming in at 60 hours. Both these movements are perfectly reliable power trains for the Aqua Terra.

Which one you go for simply comes down to personal preferences. If you ask the Fratello team members, you will probably get a different answer from each person. That shows the great versatility of the Aqua Terra collection. I happen to love the 38mm versions with a glossy black or sandstone-colored dial, both of which come in at €7,300. If you prefer the 41mm model with the teak-deck pattern and the flat-link bracelet, you will pay a little less, at €7,000. Both options save you a bit of money compared to the Datejust and are the number-one alternative to Rolex’s icon.

Grand Seiko SLGB003 and SLGB005

Picking just one watch from Grand Seiko is tough. The Japanese brand offers an abundance of perfect Datejust alternatives. You can opt for an automatic model or choose a Spring Drive option, unique to Grand Seiko. Additionally, the brand offers titanium as a choice for those who prefer a lightweight alternative to traditional stainless steel models. An obvious starting point is the brand’s Heritage collection, which contains a series of perfect options inspired by the classic Grand Seiko 44GS and 62GS models from the 1960s. A personal favorite is the brilliant SBGA413, with its 62GS-style case and soft pink cherry-blossom-inspired dial.

But we opted to take a different route. If you are a Grand Seiko fan looking for a watch that embodies the brand’s quest for timekeeping excellence, the U.F.A. series offers something special. The first two Grand Seikos with the designation U.F.A., meaning “Ultra Fine Accuracy,” were introduced last year. They are both powered by the brand-new Spring Drive caliber 9RB2. It’s a groundbreaking movement with an impressive accuracy of ±20 seconds per year. As a result, it is the most accurate wristwatch caliber powered by a mainspring today. Additionally, it offers a 72-hour power reserve and relocates the power reserve indicator to the back of the caliber to clean up the dial.

Grand Seiko U.F.A. in titanium or stainless steel

Besides the tremendous accuracy, the smaller caliber opens the door to many smaller Spring Drive watches. The first two were the SLGB001 in platinum and the SLGB003 in titanium. The latter is perfect for people looking for a lightweight Datejust alternative. My favorite, though, is the SLGB005, which was introduced a little later last year. I have praised this watch on numerous occasions because it is simply the full package, just like a Datejust is. Its modern, angular 37mm stainless steel case has an 11.4mm profile and a modest 44.3mm lug-to-lug. This stunning case is combined with a beautiful purple dial and a comfortable stainless steel bracelet.

As this was the first stainless steel U.F.A. model, I expect Grand Seiko to release more versions of this watch with different dials. After wearing the purple-dial limited edition for a few days, I was floored by how good it is. If I had to pick a modern daily wearer right now, the SLGB005 would be my pick. Yes, at €11,000, it is more expensive than a Rolex Datejust, but it also left a deeper impression. However, if you want to spend less, Grand Seiko has plenty of more affordable options that will quickly save you quite a bit of money. For now, these new Grand Seiko U.F.A. models are among the most impressive we have seen from the brand in recent years.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

What if you want a Rolex watch but don’t particularly want a Datejust? Well, The Crown has you covered with its Oyster Perpetual. It eschews the date and, of course, the Cyclops magnifier, which is an eyesore to many. On top of that, it still offers much of the status, versatility, and presence of its time-and-date brother. Rolex introduced its current Oyster Perpetual generation in 2021 and has gradually released a string of new options, including some popular dial colors.

Currently, the Oyster Perpetual is available in 28mm, 31mm, 34mm, 36mm, and 41mm cases. Additionally, the different models are available with a variety of dial colors. Needless to say, we prefer the 36mm ref. 126000 and the 41mm ref. 134300. Notably, the 36mm model is available with a Tiffany-esque light blue dial, which is not an option for its 41mm counterpart.

Other than that, you can choose from the same palette of dial colors. Last year, I had a chance to check out the soft-toned beige, pistachio, and lavender dials, which look very nice. But the one that surprised me the most is the variant with a dark blue dial. It has a rich and deep color that truly impressed me.

The perfect entry-level Rolex

Both the 36mm and 41mm models are powered by the in-house caliber 3230, which operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, offers 70 hours of power reserve, and is accurate to ±2 seconds per day. This sturdy, reliable movement helps make the Oyster Perpetual models truly great daily wearers and the perfect entry-level Rolexes. As such, they will also save you a substantial amount of money. The 36mm variants come in at €6,550, and the 41mm models cost €6,900, while the Datejust with a smooth bezel is roughly €1.5k more expensive. And we won’t even touch on the prices of the Datejust with the white fold fluted bezel.

Cartier Santos

If you are a regular Fratello reader, you know that the Cartier Santos Galbée XL is a Fratello team favorite. Daan wears his a lot, and it has convinced more of us to get one eventually. Although Daan’s is a discontinued model, the current Cartier Santos is another great alternative for the Rolex Datejust. As most of you will know, the current Santos line-up consists of Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large models. Additionally, it is available in stainless steel, titanium, and precious metals.

The Large model is the only version that is technically a true competitor to the Datejust, as that often comes with a date window at 6 o’clock. But as a stylish luxury daily wearer, all the different sizes are great alternatives to the Datejust.

Daan reviewed the Large models with tinted gradient dials in green and blue. As it turns out, these colorful dials work wonderfully well for the Santos. On top of that, they help fill out the range of options for people who want something other than the classic silver dial with black Roman numerals. Cartier offers these dials for both the Medium and Large Santos models.

Finding the right size for the Cartier Santos

To give you an idea of the size difference, the 35.1mm Medium model has a 41.9mm length, whereas the 39.8mm Large model offers a substantial 47.5mm lug-to-lug. As you can tell, this is quite a size difference, and as the Santos is a square-shaped watch, it has a lot of wrist presence. It makes the Medium model the most popular pick among the Fratello team, as it simply has a more distinguished overall look that we prefer.

Both the Medium and Large models house Cartier’s caliber 1847 MC. This automatic-winding movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 42-hour power reserve. The slim caliber keeps the Santos thin, making it super easy to wear.

Even the Large model is a joy on the wrist, as Daan explained, because it is nice and slender, with its curved case shape wrapping around the wrist. Still, we would absolutely recommend trying both sizes of the Santos on before buying to see which one sits better on your wrist. Once you’ve determined that and found your favorite dial, the Cartier Santos is a great, stylish alternative to the Datejust. The Medium versions come in at €8,200, while the Large models cost €9,000.

Traska Commuter

Our fifth option is more affordable and comes courtesy of the young American brand Traska. Our four previous options are all similar in price to the Datejust, but if you don’t want to spend Datejust money, the Traska Commuter is a great alternative. I reviewed the no-date Commuter 38 with a dial in Adriatic blue. But Traska also offers the Commuter with a date if you prefer. On top of that, the brand has created the Commuter in 34mm, 36mm, and 38mm cases, so there will surely be a size that fits your wrist. The dial colors also change with every drop, with some alternating between sizes and others being new. It’s a refreshing approach to mixing things up because there is always something new besides the familiar.

What makes the Traska Commuter so special is that it’s the best daily wearer at this price point. Currently, the 34mm versions sell for US$630, the 36mm models cost US$690, and the 38mm variants retail for US$700. What you get in return are the best-executed watches for the money, improved with every iteration. To get an idea, the Commuter 38 has a 38.5mm stainless steel case with a 46mm lug-to-lug and a 10.5mm profile. Knowing that the case itself is only 8.75mm thick without the crystal makes it even more impressive.

The Traska Commuter is the full package

The nicely proportioned case is also beautifully finished. It features a cleverly executed mix of polished and brushed surfaces to maximize visual impact. Additionally, the watches receive a special coating to help prevent scratches from daily wear. The case is matched with a familiar-style dial that evokes the Rolex Datejust and Oyster Perpetual. As mentioned, though, if you like sunburst dials with baton-style markers, this is a wonderful, affordable option.

Inside the case, Traska equips the Commuter with the Miyota 9039 caliber. The automatic movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 42-hour power reserve. Choosing a Miyota caliber allows the brand to keep prices affordable without compromising reliability. On the wrist, the watch truly shines. It’s also where you get a great idea of how nice the bracelet is.

The three-row Oyster-style bracelet features screw pins and a toolless micro-adjustment system, making it super easy to size. Additionally, the bracelet is super flexible yet sturdy, making the Commuter very easy to wear. Overall, the Traska Commuter is the best affordable Rolex Datejust alternative out there.

Final thoughts on the Top 5 Rolex Datejust alternatives

There you have it — our five favorite Rolex Datejust alternatives. Still, there are so many more great options that could have made it to the list. That’s why we also want to add some honorable mentions that we think are worth checking out. An obvious one that comes to mind is the Tudor Royal. If you prefer that distinct look of a Datejust with a knurled bezel, the Royal is the way to go. The 28mm, 34mm, and 38mm versions are great Datejust-inspired models, while the 41mm Royal takes after the Rolex Day-Date a bit more. But all of them are great options from Rolex’s sister brand and cost less than €3k in stainless steel.

Another great option is the Longines Conquest, which comes in 30mm, 34mm, 38mm, and 41mm sizes. It offers a great mix between classic and contemporary looks, and all of them come in well under €2,500. One last honorable mention from a different Swatch Group brand is the Tissot Gentleman. This stylish daily wearer is available in a string of different configurations. But the best Datejust alternative is the regular 40mm stainless steel model, which comes with a range of dial options that all come in well under €1,000.

As always, if you think we missed any great options for this list, please share them in the comments section. We will see you next week for another list!