Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Rolex Datejust Alternatives: 13 Picks We Reviewed Hands-on
We tested the best Rolex Datejust alternatives for everyday wear, from affordable dress watches to luxury-leaning picks with clean, office-to-dinner appeal.
2,452 articles · 66 videos found · page 1 of 84
Every Rolex Datejust: 4467, 1601, 16234, 116234, 126200 / 126300, Datejust 31 (278240) and Lady-Datejust 28.
The first self-winding waterproof wristwatch with a date window - and the reference Rolex.
Rolex's first fully lacquered ombré dial lands on the Datejust 36 and 41. The references, the dial process, and why this one keeps quietly selling out.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
We tested the best Rolex Datejust alternatives for everyday wear, from affordable dress watches to luxury-leaning picks with clean, office-to-dinner appeal.
Fratello
One of the Rolex novelties at Watches and Wonders 2026 was the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 with a green ombré lacquer dial (ref. 126334). Essentially, it is a new dial variant for the largest Datejusts in The Crown’s collection. However, it’s not just a new color but also part of a series of watches marking […] Visit The Rolex Datejust With Green Ombré Lacquer Dials Proves Once More Why The 36mm Form Reigns Supreme to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
We’ve always had a thing for Mido. It’s a brand we talk about a lot at TBWS because, when someone is ready to break into the four-figure range without getting too wild, Mido usually has something worth looking at. They’ve got a huge catalog of fun divers, GMTs, and everyday pieces, and that variety has always been part of the appeal for us. So when Mido announced the refreshed Commander Datoday, I was stoked to hear we’d be getting one in for review. It looked like the kind of watch that could make a lot of sense as an everyday option, but still clean up well enough if you wanted to wear it a little differently. The post Mido’s Affordable Rolex Datejust Alternative: Hands-On With The Datoday appeared first on Two Broke Watch Snobs.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Rolex Datejust Alternatives In 2026 to read the full article.
Time+Tide
A year on from the release of his first official Rolex book on the Submariner, Nicholas Foulkes has returned with a Datejust edition.The post We read the Rolex Datejust book so you don’t have to appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Video
Alright, let’s talk about the Rolex Datejust. The one everyone’s seen, everyone thinks they know, but somehow still manages to surprise you when you actually wear it!
Time+Tide
Jason Lee shares how his grandfather's gold Datejust is not just an object, but a vessel for history, taste and family lore.The post How one Rolex Datejust became my life’s reference point appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
After weeks of discussion among our editors and a single session of reader voting, the results are clear: the Rolex Datejust 1601 has emerged as the favorite in our editors’ Datejust lineup. While initially highlighted by Thomas van Straaten as his pick, the 1601 received 41% of the vote, demonstrating broad appeal among collectors and […] Visit The People Have Spoken: The Rolex Datejust 1601 Reigns Supreme to read the full article.
Fratello
The Rolex Datejust is arguably the most versatile and enduring watch in the Genevan brand’s lineup. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the model, so we decided to mark the occasion. Over the past few weeks, members of our editorial team have shared their favorite Datejust references. Now it’s time to gather them all […] Visit Finding The Best Rolex Datejust Of All Time - Which One Gets Your Vote? to read the full article.
Fratello
Before I start this article, there’s something I must confess: I do not currently have a favorite Rolex Datejust. It’s not because I don’t like the watch or because I’ve tried and failed to find one - quite the opposite. If I can’t quickly name my favorite reference of this octogenarian Rolex model, it’s simply […] Visit Selection By Elimination - How I Found The Perfect Rolex Datejust to read the full article.
Fratello
Since we’re celebrating the 80th birthday of the Rolex Datejust, we thought it would be a good idea to have Fratello writers pick their favorite one of all time. The biggest challenge of writing an article in the tail-end of this Datejust series is that other writers have already claimed some of my favorite picks. […] Visit Turning Visual Brilliance Up To Eleven With A White Gold Rolex Datejust With A Burl Wood Dial to read the full article.
Video
Every watch you've ever loved — every Submariner, every Datejust, every Tudor Black Bay — traces back to one man: a 12-year-old German orphan with nothing. Hans Wilsdorf didn't just found Rolex. He systematically...
Fratello
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Datejust, which, according to my colleague Gerard, is “the mother of all modern wristwatches.” And I don’t disagree. When Rolex introduced this watch in 1945, it set a new direction for the company, and many other brands followed (much later). A wristwatch for everyday use, with a […] Visit Here’s Why The Rolex Datejust 16234 Ticks All The Boxes to read the full article.
Fratello
The mighty Rolex Datejust turns 80 this year. That makes it one of the longest continually produced watches out there, which is no small feat. At Fratello, we intend to celebrate with a series of articles on the model, and today it’s my turn to choose my all-time favorite. That’s not an easy task, though. […] Visit My Favorite Rolex Datejust Doesn’t Exist Yet - But These References Come Quite Close to read the full article.
Time+Tide
Does the Datejust take the Rolex crown?The post Change my mind: the modern Rolex Datejust is the best option in the brand’s current catalogue (now with video!) appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Fratello
Since we’re celebrating the 80th birthday of the Rolex Datejust, we thought it would be a good idea to have the Fratello writers pick their favorite one of all time. There’s a lot to choose from, to say the least, but I didn’t have to think too long and hard to come up with my […] Visit My Favorite Rolex Datejust Is An “Adopted” One: The Turn-O-Graph Ref. 116263 to read the full article.
Fratello
The mighty Rolex Datejust turns 80 this year. That makes it one of the longest continually produced watches out there, which is no small feat. At Fratello, we intend to celebrate with a series of articles on the model, which I get to kick off today. I would like to start the celebrations with five […] Visit Celebrating 80 Years Of Rolex Datejust With Fratello - Five Datejust Facts You (Probably) Did Not Know to read the full article.
Video
1966s Rolex GMT-MASTER Folded Jubilee Steel Bracelet Restoration done 🤩🍾🎉
Fratello
This week’s Top 5 list is a follow-up to last week’s list. You seemed to enjoy the article about some of the stunning, exotic dials that Rolex has used for its flagship model, the Day-Date. This week, we will look at some of the exotic dials that the Genevan brand has used for the Datejust. […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Rolex Datejust Models With Exotic Dials to read the full article.
Fratello
It has been a few years since I wrote The Vintage Rolex Datejust Buyer’s & Collector’s Guide. In fact, I no longer sell the book, and it is a closed chapter of my life. Still, the mighty DJ remains a major soft spot for me. So when Nacho asked me to write a Pre-Owned Spotlight […] Visit Pre-Owned Spotlight: Vintage Rolex Datejust Offerings I Can’t Refuse to read the full article.
Fratello
Another Friday, another list! This week, we dive into the vast world of pre-owned Rolex. More specifically, we try to find some of the best affordable (relatively speaking, of course) Rolex Datejust models. As a result of the price drops on the pre-owned market over the last 12–18 months, many of the overly expensive Rolex […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Affordable Pre-Owned Rolex Datejust Models to read the full article.
Fratello
It’s Sunday morning, which means it’s time for breakfast with a classic Sunday Morning Showdown. This week, Mike and Jorg go head to head with two great mid-sized daily wearers from Rolex and Grand Seiko. One is the latest generation of the classic 36mm Rolex Datejust with a domed bezel. It will go up against […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: Grand Seiko SBGH347 Vs. Rolex Datejust 36 Ref. 126200 to read the full article.
Fratello
Another Friday, another Top 5! This week, we continue our trip through the universe of pre-owned gold Rolex watches. After last week’s list that highlighted some amazing gold Rolex sports watches, it’s time to focus on the Datejust. If you ask most watch fans about their favorite Datejusts, their answers will be either a stainless […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Pre-Owned Full-Gold Rolex Datejust Models - The Hidden Gems Among Gold Rolexes to read the full article.
Video
The watch industry is finally healing. For years since the pandemic, watch collecting devolved into a toxic, clout-chasing game of who could get an allocation for a Rolex Daytona, Patek Philippe Nautilus, or Audemars...
Fratello
In this edition of Exploring Evergreens, I am covering the Rolex Datejust ref. 1601. This is a watch that is very dear to me as it represents one of my professional milestones. But even without that sentimental value, it is one of the greatest watch designs of all time to me. The Cyclops, the fluted […] Visit Exploring Evergreens: Rolex Datejust 36mm Ref. 1601 to read the full article.
Time+Tide
Nomos are known for their distinctive Bauhaus designs that are immediately distinguishable from across a crowded room. When the Nomos Club Sport Neomatik 42 made its way into my feed, however, I immediately clocked its new bracelet and was confounded by what I saw (in a good way). Nomos, with their new bracelet design, has … ContinuedThe post Is the Nomos Glashütte Club Sport Neomatik 42 the new value rival of the Rolex Datejust? appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
When it comes to wristwatches, Rolex is the manufacturer known as “the crown”, but the queen of fitness is American model Jen Selter. With over 12 million followers on Instagram, Selter took the world by storm with the “Seltering” pose trend and became widely known for having “the best butt on Instagram”. But to get … ContinuedThe post Fitness model Jen Selter understands the robust elegance of a Rolex Datejust appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
Too often in a TV drama, a character’s watch is just a random accessory lobbed in by the wardrobe department at the last minute. Yet when it’s done right, a watch can become infused with psychological depth and meaning. And when it’s done to absolute perfection it can deliver a tell-tale insight into a character’s … ContinuedThe post Sean Wallace’s Rolex Datejust in Gangs of London shows that the watch doesn’t always maketh the man appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
Time+Tide
A Rolex Datejust gifted to John Michael Wozniak by Michael Jordan for Christmas is now up for sale at auction.The post Rolex Datejust Michael Jordan gifted his personal security guard up for auction, current bid under $3K appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.
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Professional Restoration of a 1966s Rolex GMT Master Pepsi - Rolex Reference 1675 with Rolex Caliber 1570.
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