5 alternatives for the Royal Oak/Overseas/Nautilus you can actually buy

Any of these watches look appealing? Well, they’re almost impossible to get. So if you like the look but not the price tag, I’ll show you the way.

Let’s face it. A Patek Philippe Nautilus, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or a Vacheron Constantin Overseas are like that gorgeous redhead with dreamy eyes, haunting freckles, awesome personality and a smell like she was the inspiration to Patrick Suskind’s Das Parfum. You ain’t getting one without proper qualifications.

Sadly, these qualifications extend much further than having the money to spend for any of these ridiculous artifacts. 60,000 dollars (or in some cases more) are the price you have to pay and even that won’t be enough. Why?

Reason A) If you want to buy them new, the brands simply won’t give it to you. You have to play the absurd game of proving yourself a “worthy” customer to get your hands on one of these.

Reason B) If you choose to go for the used route they are usually way more expensive than retail and you’ll have to make sure you’re not being scammed.

Now, before I go rambling about the stupidity of this quite complex issue that deserves a post of its own, my point is simple.

You’re far more likely of buying yourself a Ferrari having studied philosophy in college than getting any of these watches.

But who knows? Maybe you are one of the lucky bastards that sneeze a hundred dollar bills and that simply can’t be bothered to pay all that cash for a stupid watch. If you’re rich but wouldn’t spend that much money for a watch or are as poor as Arsenal’s results in the Premier League…

I have compiled a list of 5 alternatives to choose from that will make the “Holy Trinity” options feel like armed robbery.

Now, before we start some ground rules.

Number one: I’m not picking exact copies from any of the previously mentioned models. I want to give you options with a little bit of personality with them.

Number two: They all have to be Swiss Made.

Number three: If you have the money, they will give it to you. No silly games with the authorized dealer.

Without further ado, let’s go.

Honorable mention: Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic

I’m mentioning this one because I know I’ll get shit in the comments if I don’t. To be honest, the thing looks almost identical to the Royal Oak. It shares the look, the feel, the presence on the wrist and even has better specs in some regards than the AP alternative.

But I wouldn’t choose this. Why? I got to try it on myself at a dealership and I was underwhelmed. The best way to describe it is that it felt… cheap. Maybe it was the lighting? I don’t know. I’m willing to give this watch another chance in a different occasion. But for now, I’ll just leave it as an additional option. Still I would urge you to check the watch out in the flesh for yourself.

•Case diameter: 42 mm in stainless steel

•Lug to Lug: 48 mm

•Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating

•200 meters of water resistance

•Movement: ML115

•Power reserve: 38 hours

•Bracelet in stainless steel with easy strap exchange

•Price: 1,990 dollars

1. Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic COSC

What I like about the Highlife COSC is that it gives the feel you would want from any of the “Holy Trinity” watches but at the same time offers you a very distinctive look. This is the perfect watch to get if you don’t want just a simple blue dial in your watch.

The Swiss Made caliber inside is now made in-house by Frederique Constant and guarantees a COSC certified precision of -/+ 2 seconds each day with its automatic movement. And if you prefer something with a little more pizzazz, then please check their Perpetual Calendars and open-heart movements.

•Case diameter: 41 mm in stainless steel

•Lug to Lug: 45 mm

•Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating on both sides

•50 meters of water resistance

•Movement: FC0303 automatic COSC caliber

•Power reserve: 38 hours

•Bracelet in stainless steel with easy strap exchange

•Price: 2,075 dollars

2. Oris Big Crown Pro Pilot Big Date

This one looks pretty cool, huh? Well, I think it does. What I love about the Pro Pilot collection in Oris is that very texturized bezel ring. It gives the watch much more character and when it is accompanied by a blue dial, its military background really comes to shine.

The option with the bracelet will probably be your selection if you want the watch to feel as sporty as possible but let me remind you that Oris make one of the best straps in the business. If it’s not a concern for you or would like to save some money on it, configure the model here and figure it out yourself.

•Case diameter: 41 mm in stainless steel

•Lug to Lug: 49 mm

•Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating

•100 meters of water resistance

•Movement: Automatic Oris 751 Sellita based 220–1

•Power reserve: 38 hours

•Bracelet in stainless steel or dark brown croco leather strap

•Price: 1,700 on leather strap or 1,900 dollars on steel bracelet

3. Tissot PRX Automatic or Quartz

I love Swatch Group for the simple reason that they get things done right and for a fair price in most occasions. It is funny though how the fever for an integrated steel bracelet watch in a lowered dimension case had not been filled properly by any of the brands from the group. That was until the PRX came along and what an affordable and attractive looking piece it is!

There will be a decision you have to make, though. You will have to choose between a cleaner dial and a battery powered movement or a patterned dial with an automatic one. I’m a sucker for mechanic movements so I knew which one I’d choose. But either way, I will leave both spec sheets and a picture of the quartz version as well.

Automatic

•Case diameter: 40 mm in stainless steel

•Lug to Lug: 39.50 mm

•Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating

•100 meters of water resistance

•Movement: Automatic ETA based Powermatic 80

•Power reserve: 80 hours

•Integrated stainless steel bracelet

•Price: 650 dollars

Quartz

•Case diameter: 40 mm in stainless steel

•Lug to Lug: 44 mm

•Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating

•100 meters of water resistance

•Movement: Quartz ETA F06.115

•Integrated stainless steel bracelet

•Price: 375 dollars

4. Girard-Perregaux Laureato

Those first choices were for all you cheap bastards out there. But if you’re ready to move to the pricier and highly decorated realms, this one’s for you. If money isn’t an issue, the Laureato is actually an amazing decision considering it was also born in the seventies alongside with its most famous counterparts.

Presented in 1975, the cool part about this watch is that you can get it in 4 different sizes: 44, 42, 38 and 34 mm. Pretty much everyone is covered and you’ll get a great watch for your money. Does it have the credentials the others do? No. Will it hold its value like the others do? Not likely. But it’s a helluva lot cheaper and you’ll still get high horology finishing with it.

•Case diameter: 42 mm in stainless steel

•Lug to Lug: 49 mm

•Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating

•100 meters of water resistance

•Movement: GP01800

•Power reserve: 54 hours

•Bracelet in stainless steel with triple folding buckle

•Price: 12,200 dollars

5. Formex Essence

I gave you some great options. But like Kenny G and Smokey Robinson like to say: we’ve saved the best for last. If I were to choose either of these models, the Formex Essence in its 39mm configuration would be the one I’d get.

There is something about the case design that appeals incredibly to me. I love the lines drawn on the dial. I love the date window at 6 o’clock. I love the COSC certification. I love the cool design of the bracelet and the fact that it’s interchangeable. But more importantly, I love the price. In short words, I think this is perhaps the most compelling option for me. If I get rich for some reason, I will buy this one and report to you guys.

•Case diameter: 39 mm in stainless steel

•Lug to Lug: 45 mm

•Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating

•100 meters of water resistance

•Movement: COSC certified Sellita SW 200–1

•Power reserve: 42 hours

•Stainless steel bracelet with screwed links and stainless steel buckle with patented 4 mm micro extension.

•Price: 1,390 dollars

So there you go. Six options for the price of one. I hope any of these compelled you enough.

But if you would like to suggest more options, please leave them in the comments!