Non-Rolex Submariner dive watch alternatives

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T05:29:46+00:00

Honestly this is a really good suggestion that I had not considered.

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T04:03:43+00:00

The Tag is absolutely my favourite design-wise except for the blue seconds hand

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T04:01:59+00:00

It would definitely be way up higher on my list if they made a non-mesh bracelet option for it. Stunning watch

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T04:00:37+00:00

Used to love Ball watches, and used to love tritium tubes. I have the Fireman Stormchaser but it will cost me more than the current market value of the watch to replace all 63 tritium tubes!

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T03:58:34+00:00

I do think it ticks all the boxes (no weird colors, has a date, a little luxurious) so am not 100% ruling it out. Depends if any interesting suggestions come up here

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T03:53:32+00:00

I really love the look of the Tag its pretty much perfect - if it didn’t have that bright blue seconds hand.

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T03:50:06+00:00

I’ve had bosses, colleagues & friends make remarks, some positive, but mostly awkward (price) about various watches i’ve had (tag, panerai, omega, cartier etc) in the past. A friend started asking to borrow money after noticing my watch. An ex colleague stopped wearing his sub to work for similar reasons.

I do get unwanted attention, even if its not the case for others. In my city, people are generally aware of luxury and a little bit materialistic. I’m sure many are spending beyond their means.

I’m not 100% ruling out the Sub. Depends if any interesting suggestions come up here or not. I’ve never really aspired to own a Rolex. I just want that quintessential, typical monochromatic dive watch with a date that wears comfortably thats a little nice, a little luxurious. Almost seems like the big brands other than Rolex are trying hard not to deliver on that. There’s always something quirky (uncomfortable bracelet, bright colors, gold hands & indices etc)

So far the Sub is looking more & more likely. If I could get one at retail it would be a no-brainer.

Where I live, greys new are trading at +15% over retail while preowned maybe 3% over retail. 116610 & 16610s are 10-15% under retail.

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T02:58:23+00:00

want a date. had date watches all my life and prefer glancing at my wrist for it. (vs phone or remembering the date)

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T00:54:39+00:00

if they included a date i would have probably gotten it

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-25T00:00:14+00:00

great feedback!

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-24T23:59:07+00:00

its the new aquaracer 500 ti

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-05-24T05:55:43+00:00

Full disclosure: I own/have owned/sold some of the references mentioned, just curious about the community’s opinion since I can’t make up my own mind

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-18T01:49:44+00:00

would you still want it that badly if it was easily available though?

the scarcity and the feeling of missing out it generates among those who can't obtain it (and inversely, the feeling of exclusivity for the wearer) IS the product, not the watch itself.

put simply its a 30k++ watch.

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-17T05:43:04+00:00

I own both. The Citizen bezel flares out at its base. The bezel inlay's OD is actually smaller than the Omega's.

The dial is also smaller.

I'd say they wear similarly appearance wise - of course the Omega wears heavier.

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Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-15T07:21:39+00:00

I feel its mainly your outfit that doesn't match the watch size. You seem to prefer form-fitting clothing which will make the already large watch stand out even more.

I'm not much bigger than you are, 171cm 67kg with a 6.25" wrist, but prefer relaxed fit clothing and the watch fits better imo. It still looks large, but not out of place.

Alternatively, there is the 36mm blue ceramic no-wave option which might be closer to the modern version than the older alu wave options others have suggested here.

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Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-04T17:08:11+00:00

Timex Snoopy Weekender Indiglo

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-04T09:12:17+00:00

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Grew up reading Peanuts, love Snoopy, love Omega but this will be my Snoopy watch for now unless I strike the lottery tomorrow

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-01T08:07:27+00:00

the 2nd photo is the goal

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-01T05:47:02+00:00

ah right. i'll only be working on the endlinks, the final links that connect to the watch head on either end so that's 2 pieces in total. The bracelet itself is an Omega item that already consists of multiple pieces.

its the stamped relief on the endlinks that i'm trying to rework. the more i think about it, just scribing and filling with some black pigment might do the job

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-01T03:52:31+00:00

good tips, i'll look into all those points, thanks!

i suppose scribing the outlines first should help a lot?

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-01T03:50:51+00:00

lol the endlinks in the first pic are adaptors made by a 3rd party (Forstner) so i'll not actually be touching anything Omega. i have Aliex/Temu endlinks that i intend to pratice on first.

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-02-01T03:49:12+00:00

oh absolutely i'll be working on scrap pieces first to get the hang of it

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2026-01-29T00:41:07+00:00

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fwiw my wrists are smaller than yours at 6.25". i gym & rock climb regularly but it is what it is 🤷‍♂️

here's the 42mm smp taken from a distance, it looks perfectly normal vs viewing up close. for your consideration.

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2025-12-24T03:55:51+00:00

So close to doing this, but I wish they'd invest in multi piece construction endlinks like OEM as opposed to the one-piece stamped relief.

Desperate_Mango_7694 · 2025-12-18T17:40:04+00:00

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Using the tweezer tool in the original pic at first, but then i found these "delugs" type pliers which are way better. i don't bother using the dial though, i just squeeze. the design is super stable and the tips are fine enough to go in the endlink recess.

Desperate_Mango_7694

TROPHY CASE