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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic | Automatic | Swiss automatic | Automatic |
| Case Size | 43mm, 44mm | 43mm | 42mm | 43mm |
| Lug to Lug | 50mm, 50.5mm | 50mm | 49.5mm | 47mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet or stainless steel with gold middle-links | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 1220m, 3900m | 600m | 1250m | 0m, 50m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Bob’s Watches
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Buy Now at San Martin | Buy Now at Amazon |
Buy Now at Parnis
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Rolex Sea Dweller
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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 43mm, 44mm |
| Lug to Lug | 50mm, 50.5mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet or stainless steel with gold middle-links |
| Water Resistance | 1220m, 3900m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Bob’s Watches
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San Martin SN084G
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| Movement | Automatic |
| Case Size | 43mm |
| Lug to Lug | 50mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 600m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It | Buy Now at San Martin |
Oceaneva Deep Marine Explorer, Blue Mother of Pearl
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| Movement | Swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 49.5mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 1250m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It | Buy Now at Amazon |
Parnis Deep Sea Dweller
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| Movement | Automatic |
| Case Size | 43mm |
| Lug to Lug | 47mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 0m, 50m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Parnis
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The Jacques Cousteau of the watch world, the Rolex Sea-Dweller is truly the timepiece that conquered the seas.
After all, a whopping 1,220 meters of water resistance is no small feat.
And if you love that robust, bigger-is-better aesthetic, then the Sea-Dweller is one of the most important standard bearers of the genre.
With its record-breaking history and truly topnotch functions though, this famed tool watch will, at the very least, set you back a cool 10k.
So, we’ve rounded up six Rolex Sea Dweller homages, and three alternatives. These are the best on the market, all at a fraction of their inspiration model’s cheapest available prices.
How Did I Come Up With My List?
When it comes to Sea-Dweller homages, it’s important to consider functionality as well as visuals. Otherwise, you’re mostly looking at slightly remixed Submariner look-alikes.
And while few affordable homages are equipped with everything its source material is, significant water resistances and working helium escape valves earned certain nominees extra points.
I consulted colleagues, watch experts, collectors, and several reviews and forums. With hours of research and years of experience handling every Sea-Dweller reference, I rounded up these six choices.
6 Best Rolex Sea-Dweller Homages
Image Source: San Martin
The San Martin SN084G is aesthetically close to the modern Sea-Dweller without being a straight-up copy. One subtle difference is its cleaner bezel, which makes it look more like reference 16600 from the ‘80s.
This visual choice makes perfect sense because it allows you to focus more on the dial, the star of the show.
You can customize the watch face, choosing from the standard black dial or the blue dial, which is reminiscent of the Deepsea and its beautiful blue-to-black gradient, which is inspired by the murkiness of the ocean’s bottoms.
You can go with or without a logo, and if you opt for the blue dial, you can even customize your own.
Looks aside, this automatic timepiece has genuinely premium features, like its AR-coated sapphire crystal, 600 meters of water resistance, and a helium escape valve at the 9 o’clock position.
What I Like
- Aesthetically, this model looks far more expensive than its price with its attractive applications, and smooth enamel or fine gradient dial.
- This watch offers professional functions and qualities, including impressive water resistance, a working helium escape valve, and brilliant lume.
- San Martin offers several visual options, providing a level of customization.
What I Don’t Like
- Shipping from China can take one to three months.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
A popular Sea-Dweller homage on forums and Reddit, the SN084G gets a lot of love for its finishing and functions. On top of its water resistance, several mention how bright the lume is, even in the darkest situations.
There are a few complaints over the fact you can only get a custom logo if you order the blue dial though.
The Verdict
If you break down and compare the cost-to-functions ratio between the San Martin SN084G and its source material, the SN084G arguably offers a lot more for its price.
It’s a well-built timepiece, offers customization, and can actually be used for diving. Top that off with an automatic movement and a sub-250 price tag, and it’s safe to say this watch is both bang-for-buck and a smart investment.
If you break down and compare the cost-to-functions ratio between the San Martin SN084G and its source material, the SN084G arguably offers a lot more for its price. It’s a well-built timepiece, offers customization, and can actually be used for diving. Top that off with an automatic movement and a sub-250 price tag, and it’s safe to say this watch is both bang-for-buck and a smart investment.
Though it’s at least ten times as affordable as a Sea-Dweller, the Oceaneva Deep Marine Explorer is an effective pinchitter and a high-end watch in its own right.
When it comes to looks, the cloudy Mother of Pearl dial adds depth, complexity, and a level of formalness. The markers and hands are also flawlessly applied.
On the practical side, this is one of few watches on the market that actually meets the Sea-Dweller’s water resistance rating. It has a triple-seal screw-down crown, a helium escape valve, and a long-lasting lume.
What I Like
- Its 1250 meters of water resistance makes it a legitimately professional diving watch.
- While the robust bezel and Mercedes hands are hat-tips to the tool-leanings of the Sea-Dweller, the Mother of Pearl dial levels up its elegance factor.
- The impact-resistant domed sapphire and Swiss automatic movement add extra durability.
What I Don’t Like
- There aren’t a lot of this model floating around out there, so you’ll have to constantly check back at markets like eBay and Amazon, if you can’t immediately find it.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
- Reviewers love that this watch is both obviously luxurious, and that it comes from a fairly under-the-radar brand. It’s a unique timepiece that few others will likely be wearing.
- Many also report that the triple-sealing screw down crown is exceedingly grippable and easy to use.
The Verdict
If you want the Sea-Dweller with a touch of dressiness, then the Oceaneva Deep Marine Explorer is for you. The finely crafted Mother of Pearl dial adds elegance, without compromising its tool watch leanings. Importantly, it has 1250 meters of water resistance, putting it at the same level as its Rolex counterpart.
If you want the Sea-Dweller with a touch of dressiness, then the Oceaneva Deep Marine Explorer is for you. The finely crafted Mother of Pearl dial adds elegance, without compromising its tool watch leanings. Importantly, it has 1250 meters of water resistance, putting it at the same level as its Rolex counterpart.
Image Source: Parnis
The Parnis Deep Sea Dweller is no different than the other homages this brand puts out there—and that’s a good thing. It’s cheap, it’s well-built for the price, and it looks a lot like its inspiration model.
One thing I really like about Parnis, and likely why it’s so popular, is their tendency not to brand their dial faces. Most homage-makers don’t have particularly nice logos anyway.
It’s built with 316L stainless steel, a ceramic bezel, and is equipped with decent lume and a Seagull automatic.
What I Like
- For a premium, you can upgrade your watch on the Parnis website, with a sapphire crystal, additional water-proofing, or a swan neck, which regulates the movement’s pace for more reliability and less need for servicing.
- The lack of a logo gives a brand-anonymous aesthetic, which also makes it easier to mod.
- The 316L stainless steel and fade-resistant ceramic bezel offer significant value for cost.
What I Don’t Like
- At its standard model, this watch isn’t water resistant at all.
- The threads on the screw down crown are difficult to catch, making operating it equally as difficult.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
For its price, many reviewers agree that Parnis commendably doesn’t skimp out on the construction and design.
As always, you get what you pay for though. Reviewers recommend staying in close, patient contact with any Parnis sellers from Asia. Make sure they’re well-reviewed and that you have access to an actual person, not a robot.
A few incidents with customer service include a Reddit reviewer receiving a bad bracelet, and an Amazon reviewer not receiving everything that was promised in the package.
The Verdict
With its automatic movement, 316L stainless steel construction, and ceramic bezel, the Parnis Deep Sea Dweller is undeniably high-value.
It’s also convenient that they offer upgrades. Though these are all things you can do yourself if you’re a modder, it’s good to have the option to save time and effort.
With its automatic movement, 316L stainless steel construction, and ceramic bezel, the Parnis Deep Sea Dweller is undeniably high-value. It’s also convenient that they offer upgrades. Though these are all things you can do yourself if you’re a modder, it’s good to have the option to save time and effort.
Image Source: Steinhart
Steinhart Ocean 44 does an excellent job recreating the Sea-Dweller, from its size and proportions, all the way down to the spacing and font. The significant depth between the dial and the bezel is a detailed quality that most homage makers don’t bother to even try to take on.
In addition to looks, this Swiss-made timepiece is also an effective dive watch. As Steinhart does, it runs on the Elaboré version of the ETA 2824-2, which is modified for more reliability and accuracy.
The 300 meters of water resistance is still better than many “dives” on the market at much higher prices, while the bright Super-Luminova and ceramic bezel rounding out the list of impressive functionalities.
What I Like
- Designed to be an almost one-to-one Sea-Dweller homage.
- It runs on a premium and accurate Swiss movement that’s anti-magnetic and anti-shock.
- The double-coating of AR treatment on the sapphire glass gives the dial full clarity even when you’re directly under the sun.
What I Don’t Like
- The Steinhart stock buckle is friction-based, for a less-than-smooth action.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Arguably just as popular as our top pick on watch forums (the San Martin), reviewers love the well-executed dial and immaculate satin finish of the body.
And despite its large case, reviewers of many wrist sizes report that it’s quite a comfortable wear.
The Verdict
The Steinhart Ocean 44 is basically a legal replica. What it has over other homages that take a similar close-to-model approach, is that it’s actually well-built—from its sapphire crystal to its Swiss automatic movement.
The Steinhart Ocean 44 is basically a legal replica. What it has over other homages that take a similar close-to-model approach, is that it’s actually well-built—from its sapphire crystal to its Swiss automatic movement.
Image Source: Davosa
The Davosa Ternos Professional has two main qualities that really stand out as a Sea-Dweller homage.
First, it’s an objectively high-quality watch. The finishing is perfect, the Swiss automatic movement is reliable and accurate, and the SuperLuminova dial is lasting and bright.
Second, it comes in a handful of colorways that you see in the Rolex family, but not within modern Sea-Dwellers. While the all-black version looks just like the standard Sea-Dweller with bolder numbers on the bezel, the blue colorway looks even more nautical and sporty.
More unique are the blue-and-black bezel, which is reminiscent of a Batman GMT, and the black-and-gray, which uses a sophisticated off-tone approach.
They’re all striking, but still classy and not loud, which makes each one super versatile.
What I Like
- Davosa builds high-quality watches, this one boasting a glare-free sapphire, Swiss automatic movement, and a helium valve.
- The colorways are creative, but can still be worn with casual or professional outfits.
- Each purchase is backed by a two-year warranty.
What I Don’t Like
- As a smaller company, Davosa tends to produce small numbers of each model.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Many reviewers believe the look, feel, and quality of the watch goes way above the Ternos price points. Moreover, one verified purchaser even claims his Ternos runs +2 seconds per day right out of the box.
The Verdict
If you want a Sea-Dweller lookalike in a colorway that Rolex doesn’t make it in, the Davosa Ternos Professional has some dapper options. With its premium build and warranty, it’s as functionally impressive as it is stylish.
If you want a Sea-Dweller lookalike in a colorway that Rolex doesn’t make it in, the Davosa Ternos Professional has some dapper options. With its premium build and warranty, it’s as functionally impressive as it is stylish.
Image Source: Raven Watches
The first thing to mention when it comes to the Raven Deep Tech is that it has far more water resistance than the standard Sea-Dweller. It can go a good 1280 meters deeper.
Other qualities include an impact-resistant domed sapphire, an automatic helium release, and a triple-gasket screw-down crown. This is a serious watch.
It’s also handsome. The mirror set of polished hands add shine and legibility, while the cut-out style hands, a similar aesthetic to Tudor’s snowflake hands, expand its influence into Rolex’s extended family.
What I Like
- With its 2500 meters of water resistance, this homage has a higher rating than the standard Sea-Dweller, and gets close to the Deepsea’s level of functionality.
- The polygonic indices are reminiscent of the Tudor snowflake hands, giving it a slightly more modern look.
- This watch offers superior performance, with high-tech and convenient features like its automatic helium release valve.
What I Don’t Like
- Similar to the Oceaneva, this watch can be hard to find, though the bright side here is when they are available, they tend to be at prices below their original market cost.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Several reviewers mention being professional divers who rely on their Deep Tech as a contingency plan in case their dive computers fail.
And while its 17mm height is definitely tall on the wrist, the proportions offer reasonable wear even for wrists below the 7” mark.
The Verdict
The Raven Deep Tech boasts some serious specs, including an outrageous water resistance and an automatic helium valve. Additionally, it’s a fun large watch to wear with a slightly more contemporary look than the Sea-Dweller has.
The Raven Deep Tech boasts some serious specs, including an outrageous water resistance and an automatic helium valve. Additionally, it’s a fun large watch to wear with a slightly more contemporary look than the Sea-Dweller has.
3 Quality Rolex Sea-Dweller Alternatives
Homages are built to be affordable look-alikes to the Sea-Dweller, while alternatives are often equal in price and quality. They may or may not even look alike, and you’ll often find high-quality alternatives from competitor brands like Omega.
If you’re seriously considering a Sea-Dweller or Rolex Sea Dweller homage, you’d do well to look at comparable models. You just might prefer the alternatives to the point you’d seek their homages out.
Image Source: Omega
In Omega’s and Rolex’s constant and famous attempts to one-up each other, the Seamaster Planet Ocean is water resistant at a shocking 6000 meters.
They even up the visual factor. The bezel is thicker, the lugs are uniquely dimensional, and the black-to-blue gradient starts from the middle of the dial and expands into the edges. Of course, this watch runs on a Master Chronometer movement.
Image Source: Grand Seiko
Though the Grand Seiko SBGA463G doesn’t have the same diving chops as the Sea-Dweller, it has a very similar function-forward aesthetic.
The thick coin-edged bezel, sizable arrow hands, and charming power reserve make this brawny watch look downright industrial. It runs on a Grand Seiko innovation, the spring drive movement which has the torque of a mechanical and quartz accuracy.
Image Source: Tudor
Just like the Sea-Dweller, the Tudor Pelagos FXD is big, practical, and runs on a COSC-certified Chronometer movement, its stylish navy strap taking the ruggedness to the next level.
Unlike the Sea-Dweller, the more contemporary-looking Pelagos is built with titanium. This means it’s just as strong as its Rolex brother, but much lighter which balances out its huge construction.
Which Rolex Sea-Dweller Should You Get?
Thanks to its perfect balance of looks and function, the San Martin SN084G is our top pick Sea-Dweller homage. If you’re on a budget, you can find the Parnis anywhere from less than $100 to close to $200.
If you break down and compare the cost-to-functions ratio between the San Martin SN084G and its source material, the SN084G arguably offers a lot more for its price. It’s a well-built timepiece, offers customization, and can actually be used for diving. Top that off with an automatic movement and a sub-250 price tag, and it’s safe to say this watch is both bang-for-buck and a smart investment.
The Oceaneva Deep Marine Explorer and the Raven Deep Tech are premium options, the former leaning hard into its fancy looks, and the latter going for a serious function approach.
If you want the Sea-Dweller with a touch of dressiness, then the Oceaneva Deep Marine Explorer is for you. The finely crafted Mother of Pearl dial adds elegance, without compromising its tool watch leanings. Importantly, it has 1250 meters of water resistance, putting it at the same level as its Rolex counterpart.
If you like unique colorways, the Davosa has a few, including a Batman color scheme. Meanwhile, the Steinhart Ocean 44 is the closest visual homage.
It’s all about choosing what you love the most in a Sea-Dweller and finding those specific qualities in your choice of homage.
FAQs
Does the Rolex Sea-Dweller hold value?
While it isn’t an auction house darling like the Submariner, the Sea-Dweller isn’t likely to lose value over time if you take care of it. Fortunately, it’s durable enough that keeping it intact isn’t difficult.
Is the Rolex Sea-Dweller hard to get?
The standard Sea-Dweller can be found on second markets with higher price tags, or at official boutiques with a slight waitlist. The DeepSea version is nearly impossible to get a hold of without the right connections, the right bank account, and a lot of patience.
Ever since I received an Omega Seamaster for my 16th birthday, I fell in love with watches. Professionally, this led me to work for New York and LA’s leading auction houses. Personally, it led to a life as a collector, my Seamaster and my Explorer II being my favorite timepieces.
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