Datejust - Omega Alternative ?

Aquariusmatic · Apr 23, 2020

Hope I don't get too much flak for posting this. I've had a Sub and a DJ and found zero connection with them so got rid of them, both being "birth year" models meant that they sounded like my keychain and felt like my keychain on the hand and I was stupid enough to buy both on credit - just my luck the market rose so i closed the lines and even made a few €uros...

But it seems that I keep coming back to the DateJust, every now and then i find myself looking at one but then loosing interest when i see the grandpa versions with the plexi, the yellowish dials and the cyclops.
I don't want to throw my money towards a 41 or towards a special kind of DJ in 36 but am curious to find an Omega watch with the similar characteristics of a Datejust.

So essentially I'm looking for suggestions & reference numbers or general watch ideas in the 36mm realm, white or gray dials, preferably fluted or coin edge bezels with preferably an automatic a chronometer movement would be kind of nice but not a must.
I have a plain jane Connie C shape and love it but am looking for something that looks a bit more slick on metal and that fills the same void as the DJ...

HELP!?

Dan S · Apr 23, 2020

I think there was just an identical thread on the same topic within the last month or so. If you can't find it, I will do a search later.

Aquariusmatic · Apr 23, 2020

Dan S
I think there was just an identical thread on the same topic within the last month or so. If you can't find it, I will do a search later.

Read through most of the first 5-10 threads in the search option before posting. But am still at point 0 never would have thought that the C shape would turn me away from 40mm+ watches I'm just loving the comfort and the sleekness of the connie but want something datejustish without it having a crown.

Noddyman · Apr 23, 2020

Aquariusmatic
Hope I don't get too much flak for posting this. I've had a Sub and a DJ and found zero connection with them so got rid of them, both being "birth year" models meant that they sounded like my keychain and felt like my keychain on the hand and I was stupid enough to buy both on credit - just my luck the market rose so i closed the lines and even made a few €uros...

But it seems that I keep coming back to the DateJust, every now and then i find myself looking at one but then loosing interest when i see the grandpa versions with the plexi, the yellowish dials and the cyclops.
I don't want to throw my money towards a 41 or towards a special kind of DJ in 36 but am curious to find an Omega watch with the similar characteristics of a Datejust.

So essentially I'm looking of suggestions for reference numbers or general watch ideas in the 36mm realm, white or gray dials, preferably fluted or coin edge bezels with preferably an automatic a chronometer movement would be kind of nice but not a must.
I have a plain jane Connie C shape and love it but am looking for something that looks a bit more slick on metal and that fills the same void as the DJ...

HELP!?

If you can live without a fluted bezel then a Seamaster 168.024 might fit the bill.
They measure 35mm without crown and house a chronometer rated cal 564 movement.
A versatile watch for most occasions.
Mine gets worn regularly.

OmegaPreuss · Apr 23, 2020

Aquariusmatic
Hope I don't get too much flak for posting this. I've had a Sub and a DJ and found zero connection with them so got rid of them, both being "birth year" models meant that they sounded like my keychain and felt like my keychain on the hand and I was stupid enough to buy both on credit - just my luck the market rose so i closed the lines and even made a few €uros...

But it seems that I keep coming back to the DateJust, every now and then i find myself looking at one but then loosing interest when i see the grandpa versions with the plexi, the yellowish dials and the cyclops.
I don't want to throw my money towards a 41 or towards a special kind of DJ in 36 but am curious to find an Omega watch with the similar characteristics of a Datejust.

So essentially I'm looking for suggestions & reference numbers or general watch ideas in the 36mm realm, white or gray dials, preferably fluted or coin edge bezels with preferably an automatic a chronometer movement would be kind of nice but not a must.
I have a plain jane Connie C shape and love it but am looking for something that looks a bit more slick on metal and that fills the same void as the DJ...

HELP!?

NikoMartinez_SYD · Apr 23, 2020

Globemaster for sure. Not available in 36mm however does come in white/grey I believe.

OmeGez · Apr 24, 2020

Have you looked into the Oyster Perpetuals?
They offer so much bang for your buck, classy yet solid and a movement to match.

obviously, omega offer the same alternatives - it’s all down to personal preferences.

Aquariusmatic · Apr 24, 2020

Honestly the Oyster Perpetuals and the Datejusts bring almost the same prices on the used market here and I don't see myself going for them just because the € and the kind of aversion towards the brand - while i do love the 114300 in gray I'm still not a fan.

Regarding the globemaster - It's nice, I've seen it in person - Like the whole Constellation thing going on with the dial and the rotor cover but It's just not for me, price wise It's at the top of my mental cap for a watch and seeing as it's a modern watch I'm scared I'll just end up listing it somewhere in a year or so and loosing a bunch.
Keeping with most of my watch collection I'd like to keep things pre 1990s and keep it within the Omega lineage.
My aversion towards the crown might come from the AD experiences I've had while at the Omega AD i was treated like a celeb while wearing a beaten up Chronostop Geneve - the guy ran behind and polished the plexi for me and gave me a travel case "for that beautiful oldtimer" while in the same week i was getting the stink eye at the Rolex AD trying to see the Perpetual IRL and wearing a 16610 on a RubberB.

Hence the thread...

nkhandekar · Apr 24, 2020

If I were looking for the Omega equivalent of a Datejust, I would turn to an Aqua Terra. There are lots of variations and even ones with dates at both 3 and 6 o'clock depending upon your penchant for symmetry. I think its a terrific watch with all that is going on in the movement.

In a vintage vein I would suggest an IWC Yacht Club 811 or 1811 which is 36mm but wears a little larger. I have one and every time I think I want a Datejust, I strap it on, and I am cured!

For another vintage option at 36mm you could try something like an Omega Seamaster 168.023 which is chronometer certified (cal. 751) and has the bonus of a day/date complication. Having worked from home for the last six weeks, I can testify to the benefits of a day indicator on a watch. Good luck with your hunt. .

Aquariusmatic · Apr 24, 2020

Thanks guys especially Noddyman and nkhandekar - those two references the 168 023 and 024 really do hit close to the idea and look good on metal IMO.

The IWC is also a contender but if I manage to find a nice 168.023/4 I'll definitely snap up one.

Regarding the Aqua Terra I tried the smaller one on and the bracelet just didn't do it for me, the blue "teak" version is beautiful nevertheless.

DanT · Apr 24, 2020

https://omegaforums.net/threads/discussion-omega-alternatives-to-rolex-5500.112155/

Hi - I posted on a similar subject recently, as mentioned above. Hopefully some inspiration here

Datejust - Omega Alternative ?

Aquariusmatic

Dan S

Aquariusmatic

Noddyman

OmegaPreuss

NikoMartinez_SYD

OmeGez

Aquariusmatic

nkhandekar

Aquariusmatic

DanT

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