Five Recent Affordable Alternatives To The Rolex Explorer For 2025

The Rolex Explorer is one of those classics that will never go out of style. Unfortunately, it is also a rather costly watch that certainly does not fit every enthusiast’s budget. Today, I want to take a look at some recent affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer. How do you scratch that itch without scratching that itch, if you catch my drift?

I will limit myself to watches from the past 12 months as there are plenty of articles out there on older alternatives. Furthermore, I will omit straight homage watches. After all, any affordable alternative needs its unique take on the theme or it will not satisfy your hunger in the long run. With those rules set, let’s dive in!

What are we looking for, really?

First, we have to define what we are looking for. The Rolex Explorer, in my eyes, is a universal watch. Some might call that GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything). From the boardroom to the beach, the Explorer is right at home.

You can draw an imaginary line from formal watches to sporty watches. Universal watches will usually sit somewhere in the middle. I would argue that the Explorer sits on the sportier side of center. After all, it is an explorer’s watch marketed as a mountaineering tool. Within the Rolex universe, I would say the Datejust and Oyster Perpetual sit left of the Explorer, toward the more formal end of the spectrum, just to paint a picture.

So we need sporty capabilities, such as a solid build and decent water resistance. However, this needs to be balanced with formal prowess, not looking out of place in the office or with a suit. We are looking for watches without genre-specific features, such as dive-time bezels. And, of course, we need a bracelet. Lastly, we need any alternatives to sit significantly below the €7,550 price of the Rolex. Those are the variables I will be hunting for in our affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer.

Affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer — #1: Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian

I would be remiss not to start this list of affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer with a watch from Christopher Ward. The English brand’s C65 Dune collection perfectly captures the spirit of a sports-oriented GADA watch. Measuring 38mm across and a mere 11.7mm thick, the Dune offers fantastic and extremely comfortable proportions. It sits slap bang in between a 36mm and a 40mm Explorer, which will surely appeal to many.

Inside ticks a simple but effective Sellita SW200-1, offering 38 hours of power reserve and an accuracy of ±20 seconds per day. That may not sound impressive, but it is a perfect caliber for a daily watch as it is reliable and easy to service.

The latest Dune Aeolian adds flair with a dial pattern inspired by the eponymous dunes. Throw in a 150m water resistance rating, a screw-down crown, a domed sapphire crystal, and a segment-best Oyster-style bracelet with micro-adjustment, and you simply have a very appealing offering. That’s especially true considering that Christopher Ward manages to offer all of this at a very aggressive €1,165.

Affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer — #2: Longines Conquest 38mm

Last summer, Longines introduced the Conquest 38mm to great applause from us at Fratello. I know, I know…it has a date. Some will lament that it can therefore only ever qualify as a Datejust alternative. You know what? They’re wrong! If you are looking for a Rolex Explorer alternative in the €2.5K segment, this is a fantastic option.

You get a 38mm stainless steel watch with a 10.9mm thickness and a 100m water resistance rating. Inside ticks an ETA-based automatic caliber with a royal 72-hour power reserve. The Conquest comes on a classy H-link bracelet and, crucially, has a style of its own. I would say it leans perhaps slightly more to the formal end of the spectrum, but it certainly makes the cut for everyday adventures.

The Longines Conquest 38mm comes in at €2,300, qualifying for our list of affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer.

Affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer — #3: Farer Field Lomond II

Farer offers several watches that qualify as affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer. However, with my one-year maximum age limit, we automatically land on the second-generation Farer Field. My pick, specifically, is the Lomond with its Explorer-esque black dial. This even gives you the characteristic 3-6-9 numerals.

Farer is another champion of value propositions. Technically, you get a similar watch to the Christopher Ward C65 Dune but styled in a more distinct retro fashion. The Lomond offers (again) a 38mm diameter and 11.7mm thickness with a 150m water resistance rating. Inside ticks the Sellita SW221-1, the pointer-date version of the SW200. You would almost think the CW and the Farer were made by the same people, but I can attest this is not the case.

This watch features an Oyster-style bracelet with a micro-adjustable clasp developed by Nodus. It is interesting to see microbrands share technologies and investments to compete with the establishment. The Farer Field Lomond II has a price of €1,295.

Affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer — #4: RZE Resolute Pro Spruce Green

Like Farer, you will find several affordable Explorer alternatives in RZE’s lineup. However, of the last 12 months’ releases, I had to pick between a sold-out Fratello edition, a black version with a date, or a spruce-green version without a date. I opted for the last one, as you see.

RZE offers a 40mm watch, a nice change of pace from the 38mm options above. Unlike the others, the RZE Resolute features a titanium case and bracelet with a scratch-resistant coating. As you would expect at its US$699 price, this RZE houses a Miyota 90S5 and, unlike the others, is not Swiss made.

I particularly like the finishing on these watches. No, you cannot expect high-end stuff, but it looks surprisingly neat for such a small brand in this segment. The dials, particularly, feature a deep gloss that looks quite luxurious. I would say the Resolute Pro sits a little further towards the sporty end of the spectrum than a Rolex Explorer, but it is one hell of an affordable alternative.

Affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer — #5: VPC Type 37HW

Okay, let me start with a quick disclaimer. VPC is the watch company I founded and own, and I normally never feature it in lists like this for integrity’s sake. However, if it is so suitable that any other Fratello editor would have, I feel okay making an exception. I will refrain from drawing direct comparisons with the other alternatives and stick to the facts, just to keep it clean.

The VPC Type 37HW follows the same GADA theme as the Explorer, perhaps leaning a bit more toward the formal end of the spectrum. Still, all the tool-watch prowess is present, with a 120m water resistance rating from its 37.5mm by 9.8mm housing (including the domed sapphire) and a very solid build. Unlike the Explorer, this is a hand-winder with a small-seconds layout, but isn’t variety the spice of life?

Inside ticks the dependable Sellita SW216-1 hand-winding caliber in top spec. It is a COSC-certified chronometer, running within -4/+6 seconds per day. Particular attention was paid to ergonomics, with a slim, strongly curved case and a bracelet with thin, short links tucking under the case’s ledge via a hidden multipiece end link for a clean aesthetic. The Type 37HW costs €2,479, easily qualifying for our affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer.

Closing thoughts

There you have it — five watches released in the past year that are capable of serving as affordable alternatives to the Rolex Explorer. Do you know of any others worth mentioning here? Please share them with us in the comments section below!