Whenever I see a Tudor Black Bay on someone’s wrist, I know that the wearer knows about watches. On the other hand, anyone with enough money could wear a Submariner, even someone who’s not into replica watches at all. But Tudor has a hold of the specialists. These are people who know exactly what they are buying. Namely, a high-quality stainless steel dive watch with a very capable movement at a compelling price. And I know that no one buys a watch in a 100% rational way. But at the end of the day, you also want to save some money to buy other watches, right?
And that brings me to the second reason why the Tudor Black Bay is the better option: simply because it’s available. It’s true that every time a new Tudor watch is presented, people line up to get their hands on one. That might cause a fairly short waiting period in those first months after launch. But after some time, usually, the watches are readily available in store to both try and buy. Well, that’s certainly not the case regarding the Rolex Submariner.  
You can only get a Submariner when an authorized dealer permits you to buy one. And to earn that permission in a reasonable amount of time, you must either have a long history with that AD or be some blockbuster superstar. Forget about it if you’re just a normal individual like you and me unless you’re prepared to wait for years, potentially in vain. And even though I feel that exclusivity adds some glamour, I prefer not to have to play games to spend my money.
Furthermore, when I decide to buy a imitation watch, I like to have some options. The current stainless steel Rolex Submariner lineup only consists of three. There is one without a date, a black dial, and a black ceramic bezel, and then there are two options with a date, a black dial, and a black or a green ceramic bezel. I know Rolex is trying to maintain the status of an all-time classic icon here. Still, I’d prefer to have some additional choices.
For starters, Tudor offers you the choice between a 39mm or a 41mm case size, whereas Rolex only offers you a 41mm case. Then, regarding the colours, Tudor lets you choose between black/black/gilt, black/red/gilt, and black/blue/silver for the 41mm Black Bay. And then there’s a black/black/gilt and a blue/blue/silver option for the 39mm Black Bay Fifty-Eight. Admittedly, there is no option to add a date on the stainless steel Black Bays, but who needs a date to clutter up that beautiful dial anyway?
Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about the looks. Of course, this is very personal and subjective, but I think the current Rolex Submariner looks a bit too shiny and graceless. That flashy ceramic bezel and the straight, hard lines along its case don’t even come close to the modest aluminium bezel and elegant curves of the Tudor Black Bay. The Sub really looks like a watch that wants to be seen. The Black Bay, however, looks like a copy watch I want to be seen with. And with that, I’d like to conclude my plea. Let’s see what you got, RJ!

Do you know the first watch on the Moon? Yes, it is the Omega Speedmaster. It is the object of many collectors’ desires and it is available in many different feature sets. The classic Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch features a 42mm case. Other choices in the series also include the Speedmaster Racing edition measuring 44.25mm in diameter and the Speedmaster ’57, which measures 41.5mm. With that in mind, at 39mm, the Speedmaster Reduced is noticeably smaller. It’s really so comfortable to wear while also taking a somewhat modest stance on the wrist.
The Omega Speedmaster Reduced also features the durability and highly functional chronograph movement that made the Speedmaster NASA’s top option for space exploration. From the silky, multi-link band to the slim tachymeter bezel and iconic chronograph registers on the dial, the Omega Speedmaster is a horological masterpiece. Versions, such as the ref. 175.0032.1 with a Hesalite crystal and self-winding movement, are available on the secondary market in perfect condition.
Panerai has been making watches for many decades. However, they didn’t enter the commercial market until the 1990s. Before Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone brought massive attention to the brand in the 1996 thriller Daylight, Panerai was only a military timepiece. With roots as a dive watch for the Italian Navy, Panerai has since enjoyed massive success with a varied collection of reliable waterproof replica watches that are often distinguished by their robust, cushion-shaped cases and legible baton and Arabic markers on the dial.
This Panerai PAM 423 is the biggest timepiece in our guide at 47mm in diameter; however, it is another casual watch that you can sport without worrying about everyday wear and use. It features a Cal. P.3002/1 hand-wound movement with a 3-day power reserve and a handy power reserve indicator. Vintage-inspired yet equipped with a bevy of modern amenities, the Panerai PAM 423 is the best of both worlds.
The Luminor PAM 423 also includes Panerai’s signature crescent crown guard bridge. The mechanism was developed to ensure that the crown remains secure while on the wrist, therefore guaranteeing the watch’s water resistance. It’s also a crucial part of the Luminor’s signature design that has since garnered the watch immense adoration among Panelists.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is one of the company’s longest-produced models. At its core, beats a Perpetual movement with Rolex’s self-winding technology. It also consists of Rolex’s patented Oyster case, which boasts water resistance up to 100 meters on modern references. You can wear the Oyster Perpetual almost anywhere without damaging the movement within, making the collection great for everyday casual wear. With a time-only dial, smooth bezel, and all-around sophisticated styling, the ref. 114300 in stainless steel has all the makings of the perfect casual fake watch. It’s available with multiple dial color options, from classic white or black to more striking red grape, and it includes a 39mm case, the largest option currently available within the Oyster Perpetual collection.

As Seiko-watchers will notice that the Grand Seiko has gradually become distinctive and entity; one of the most significant developments at Grand Seiko was the decision last year, to make Grand Seiko its own brand, instead of a sub-brand under the larger Seiko banner. The disappearance of the Seiko logo from the dials of Grand Seiko watches did away with what had always been a bit of redundancy and although the gesture was largely symbolic, it does say something about how the replica Grand Seiko sees itself evolving in the years to come.
Grand Seiko has not been a brand whose good name was driven by limited editions; on the contrary, the natural scarcity of Grand Seiko in the USA lent Grand Seiko cheap replica watches an organic exclusivity. While, Grand Seiko limited editions have started to appear in recent years, with unusual dials and in some instances, in valuable metals – and at price points – which are something of a novelty for Grand Seiko in the U.S. market.
The 44GS-style cases will be provided in steel, 18k rose gold, and platinum and each will feature a variation on a new dial design. The dials have a very intricate pattern which, like the fan-favorite Snowflake dial, are not a literal illustration of anything, but are instead a kind of abstraction of organic forms that can evoke many different things.
The dial was encouraged by one created for this amazing model, which was a Hi-Beat model that from what I’ve been able to find, was in the Grand Seiko catalog only in 1970 and which featured, in addition to this unusual dial, a very nice hammer-textured gold case.
The steel model has the unique eye-catching dial of the three – the dials for all three models are very absorbing visually, but the steel model has a light blue finish with a particular gemlike quality, shifting in color and saturation relying on the direction and intensity of the light.
Pricing, production numbers, and release date are all TBD for the moment, but I’d hope these to release sometime this fall; it seems reasonable to guess that prices will more or less approximate those of the Baselworld Hi-Beat limited editions, in platinum, gold, and steel. The quality remains as inexplicably high for the price asked as ever, and for the moment, they remain a bit of an insider’s fake watch – if not exactly a well-kept cult secret, then at least a token of discernment, and an open-minded willingness to see the quality for what it is.