Top 11 Best Affordable Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Alternatives
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most iconic watch models in the world. It is also the most popular collection from the brand. Over the decades, the company has widened its range and offerings by presenting a vast selection of Royal Oak timepieces. Ladies’ watches, chronographs, skeleton watches, gold, steel, ceramic, titanium, and many more.
But whilst the Royal Oak is an extremely popular model, it’s also an extremely expensive luxury watch that has a starting price of more than around 150000 USD. With that said, the Royal Oak is not for everyone.
But if you’re a huge fan of its distinct and iconic design, you have come to the right place. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable alternatives to the Royal Oak that share some of its iconic design elements, but at a considerably more affordable price, and it is these watches that we are going to look closer at in the article.
Let’s dig into the list! Further on, we’ll also go through the history of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, what it is all about, and how to pick the best Royal Oak alternative.
Best affordable alternatives to Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
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Before we dig into our list of affordable Audemars Piguet Royal Oak alternatives, we need to define a few criteria for what we will be looking at. Some of the most iconic and important design elements of the Royal Oak are as follows:
- Octagonal bezel
- Integrated bracelet
- A distinct case shape ”without lugs”
- Exposed screws on the bezel
The watches in this list may include several of these design elements but not all. They will, however, all share a similar design that reminds of the Royal Oak in one way or another.
We won’t focus on homage watches in this article as these are a type of watch that splits opinions. Instead, we’ll look at watches that share similar design traits and perhaps have taken inspiration from the Royal Oak in their design language, but not blatantly copied its design.
Citizen Signature NB4014-56E
First up, we have the Citizen Signature NB4014-56E. Whilst this is by no means a blatant copy of the Royal Oak in terms of design, it has several design elements that remind of the Royal Oak and a similar design language.
The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 45mm. What stands out about this watch is its octagonal-style bezel which, although subtle, works as a nod to the Royal Oak. The bezel is finished in yellow gold which goes well together with its gold and steel theme which is subtly integrated into its design. On top of the case sits an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Citizen has also done a good job with the finishing of the case which is to be expected for its slightly higher price tag. This includes an elegant brushing and beveled edges which enhance its appearance.
This watch is also a good choice for watch enthusiasts since it is powered by an automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. In addition, parts of the movement can be seen through a cut-out on the dial, also known as an open heart. The watch has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet which is decent for an everyday watch.
The watch has a black background with yellow-gold hour markers filled with luminescence. The hands are large and help provide good legibility.
With its stainless steel bracelet and relatively sporty case design, paired with yellow gold accents, this watch achieves an interesting combination of sportiness and elegance similar to that of the Royal Oak. One might say that the Royal Oak and this Citizen achieve the same goal, but with different approaches.
Specifications
- Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire
- Diameter: 45mm
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon is a go-to alternative to the Royal Oak for many people. This is because it has several design elements that make it similar to the AP. At the same time, this watch is pricier than the other watches we will look at in this article with a price tag of almost 2000 dollars. It can be debated whether or not that is ”affordable”, but in relation to the price of the Royal Oak, it certainly i.
First and foremost, it has a 42mm stainless steel case. Whilst the bezel does not have an octagonal shape, it has a nice combination of brushed and polished elements. The case, however, has a similar case shape that tapers towards the bracelet and integrates with the bracelet really well. The ”lugs” or ”end” of the watch are angled in a similar way as the Royal Oak, giving it a sporty and distinct look. The crown is positioned at 3 o’clock and has a similar design as that on the Royal Oak, subtly designed as a bolt. Since this watch is not an entry-level watch in terms of price, you can expect a slightly higher finish, and this is really reflected in, amongst other things, the polishing and brushing of the case and bracelet. It has nice beveled edges as well as sharp brushing which contributes to a premium look.
The water resistance of this timepiece is also quite impressive at 200m/660 feet, meaning you can go diving and swimming with it – although, whilst it is technically a luxury sports watch, most people won’t find themselves diving with it.
The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet which integrates into the case to create a seamless look. And whilst it does not have an identical bracelet design to the Royal Oak, it does look very similar.
The dial is exceptionally well-made as well and has a beautiful anthracite dial with silver printing and rhodium details. The pattern makes this watch more vibrant and is obviously similar to the tapisserie pattern that is found on the Royal Oak. At 3 o’clock, it has a date window, and the applied metal hour markers filled with luminescence are paired with sleek and elegant pencil-shaped hands.
Powering this watch is the Automatic caliber ML115 Functions, operating at 28’800 vph and with a power reserve of 38 hours. Unlike the most affordable options, the movement on this watch is also decorated which is a nice bonus, including Perlage and colimaçon. It also has vertical Côtes de Genève and a sun-brushed rotor.
All in all, if you want something that looks like the Audemars Piguet but doesn’t want to compromise on the quality and finish, this one certainly ticks a lot of boxes.
Specifications
- Diameter: 42mm
- Water resistance: 200m
- Movement: Swiss automatic
- Frequency: 28800 BPH
- Power reserve: 38 hours
Citizen Eco-Drive Weekender Quartz AW1147-52L
The Citizen Eco-Drive Weekender AW1147-52L is a sporty timepiece that is quite different from the Royal Oak but is still different in many ways.
The watch has a grey ion-plated case with a diameter of 41mm with a sporty design including sharp angles. Contributing to its similarities to the Royal Oak, the lugs are designed to create a more seamless look, making them look more integrated. The bracelet has the same gray ion plating for a sporty appearance.
Like the Royal Oak, it has a pattern on the dial, although different from the tapisserie pattern which is nice. The dial also has applied metal hour markers filled with luminescence and large metal hands. At 3 o’clock, it also has a date window.
Like many others, it is powered by an Eco-Drive quartz movement which does not need to have the b battery replaced. The water resistance is 100m/330 feet.
If you’re looking for a watch that looks identical, or at least very similar to the Royal Oak, then this watch is not for you. But if you want a sporty timepiece with an original design that has a few design elements that remind of it, then it is a good alternative for an everyday watch with a sporty appearance.
Specifications
- Diameter: 41mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Movement: Japanese Eco-Drive quartz
Casio Edifice Quartz EQS-920DB-1BVCR
Casio Edifice Quartz EQS-920DB-1BVCR is a sporty and bulky timepiece built for performance and functionality. And whilst it leans more towards functionality than the Royal Oak’s ”luxury sportiness”, they still share several similarities in terms of design, primarily when it comes to its case and bracelet.
First off, it has a large stainless steel case with a diameter of 48.9mm. In other words, it is not a watch that is suitable for small wrists. The case has a nice and sporty design with angled lugs similar to that of the Royal Oak. For added sportiness, it is presented on a bracelet that is integrated into the case with a seamless design. The case has a fixed black bezel, paired with a black dial and blue accents. The dial features applied metal hour markers with luminescence as well as large hands. At 4 o’clock, it has a date window and three sub-dials which are used together with the chronograph function.
This watch is powered by a solar quartz movement, meaning it gets energy from solar and ambient light and has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet.
Naturally, this watch is primarily designed for sporty occasions and for men who want a timepiece that is masculine and built to handle harsh conditions. But it is also a good choice if you like the style of integrated bracelet watches, especially if it is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Specifications
- Diameter: 48.9mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Movement: quartz
Bulova 98B287 Chronograph
This Bulova 98B287 is one of my favorite affordable alternatives to the Royal Oak for several reasons. First off, it has a design that reminds of the Royal Oak in many ways, but without copying the design, and actually putting the time and effort into designing a unique and own design. Secondly, it is affordably priced, but still offers good quality and nice finishing.
The watch has a stainless steel black IP case with a diameter of 43mm and is presented on a matching black bracelet. Naturally, this bracelet is integrated into the case to create a seamless and sporty look, inspired by the Royal Oak. The watch has an octagonal-style bezel which reminds of the Royal Oak, but Bulova has still been able to create a distinct design that isn’t perceived as a copy. In addition, the bezel has a really nice textured brushed finish to it. As the cherry on top, the bezel features exposed screws. Although not eight, but six. And on top of the case sits a mineral crystal
The dial is black and has yellow gold applied metal hour markers filled with luminescence and sword-shaped hands. The yellow gold works as a nice contrast to the mostly black watch and enhances its elegance. Between 4 and 5 o’clock, you find a date window, and at the usual 3, 6, and 9 positions, you find chronograph sub-dials which are obviously used together with the chronograph. Around the outer edge of the dial, we also have a discreet but useful tachymeter scale.
With its all-black look, combined with luxury and sporty design, this is a timepiece that can work great on most occasions, both casual and formal.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 30m
- Crystal: mineral
- Diameter: 43mm
D1 Milano P701 Skeleton Automatic SKBJ01
D1 Milano is a relatively new brand that has gotten extremely popular in recent years, partly because their designs are obviously inspired by the Royal Oak, and this together with the fact that the popularity of the Royal Oak has surged in recent years.
The stainless steel case of this watch measures 41.5mm in diameter and has a thickness of 9.5mm. The bezel of this timepiece is distinct and reminds of the Royal Oak but doesn’t look like it. This is a perfect example of how you can achieve a design that looks like another, whilst going your own route and without stealing a design. The bezel also combines brushed and polished edges which is a nice detail that enhances its impression of quality. Its crown at 3 o’clock, however, has a similar bolt-style design.
The case features the same angled lugs that you find on the AP and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the integrated bracelet. The upper side of the case and bracelet are brushed, and the edges are beveled.
Now, this particular watch is presented with a skeleton dial, meaning you can see the automatic movement inside which is a nice touch for watch enthusiasts who appreciate mechanical movements. The fact that it is a skeleton dial is yet another detail that reminds of the Royal Oak since Audemars Piguet has made several different skeleton ”open-worked” versions, which are also extremely popular.
The water resistance of this timepiece is 50 meters / 165 feet water resistance.
Specifications
- Crystal: mineral
- Water resistance: 50m
- Diameter: 41.5mm
- Thickness: 9.5mm
Casio G-shock Carbon Core Guard Ga-2100-1a1jf
The Casio G-Shock Carbon Core Guard Ga-2100-1a1jf is a G-Shock that has become extremely popular in recent times. As a matter of fact, this watch is nicknamed ”CasiOak”, obviously for its close resemblance to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Since it is a G-Shock, it features Casio’s signature resin case and strap. This particular watch, however, has an octagonal bezel and is presented with an integrated strap design, allowing for a seamless look. Whilst, thanks to this, it gets a slightly more versatile appearance, it is still A G-shock and therefore bulky, durable, and robust. A lot of people use this as their everyday watch, but it is also tough and durable enough to withstand extreme situations – just like the G-shock was always meant to.
The dial is black and has an analog time display as well as a digital screen. It also incorporates a number of different functions including world time with 31 time zones, daylight saving on/off, and Home city/World time city swapping. The watch has a water resistance of 200m/660 feet which is dive watch performance – in other words really good.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
- Movement: quartz
Michel Herbelin 37645/B15 Chrono Cap
The Michel Herbelin 37645/B15 can be described as an entry-level luxury watch that is slightly more premium than the most affordable options at around 700 dollars. The increase in price is also reflected in the quality and finish of this timepiece which is nice. This includes things like case finish, movement, and dial details.
The watch has a stainless steel case with 6 exposed screws and a nice brushed finish with polished beveled edges. The case has the same combination of brushed and polished and is designed to seamlessly integrate with the bracelet.
The watch has a nice dark blue dial with a horizontal pattern and a brushed finish which reminds a lot of the Patek Philippe Nautilus – another iconic integrated bracelet watch, also designed by Gerald Genta.
Being a chronograph, it features sub-dials on the dial and also a date window at 6 o’clock.
All in all, this is a watch that captures the essence and ethos of the Royal Oak in a similar way and is presented as a luxury sports watch. Its design makes it perfect for virtually any occasion. This watch looks just as great with a suit as with jeans. The fact that this brand isn’t as well-known as some of the other brands on this list is also good if you want to discover new brands and watchmakers.
Specifications
- Diameter: 42mm
- Movement: quartz
- Water resistance: 100m
Bulova Classic Chronograph
We have already looked at the all-black Bulova with gold markers, but this one is more classic with a stainless-steel look and blue dial. Whilst it looks relatively similar, there are a number of differences in its design.
The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 44mm and a more distinct bezel with 8 exposed screws on top. The bezel has nice polished bevels on the edges and a crisp brushed finish on top. The ”end links” of this watch are also more distinct and tapered and blend in perfectly with the bracelet. The bracelet has polished middle links and brushed side links. Being a chronograph, it naturally also features chronograph pushers on the sides.
The dial has a lovely dark blue color and 8 diamonds on the dial for the hour markers. Between 4 and 5 o’clock, it has a date window, and at the traditional position, we find the chronograph sub-dials.
The water resistance is quite good for this type of watch at 100m/330 feet.
Overall, I really like this watch for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it has a unique and distinct design that only reminds of the Royal Oak but without stealing its design. In addition to this, it has a really well-finished case where brushed meets polished, and a classic yet elegant dial topped off with diamonds. The result is a really elegant timepiece that gives a luxurious impression and appears much more expensive than it actually is. And thanks to its blend of sportiness and elegance, it makes for a suitable everyday watch, ready to meet any occasion.
Specifications
- Diameter: 44mm
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Movement: quartz
Timex Essex Ave TW2U14900
The Timex Essex Ave primarily reminds of the Royal Oak in the way its bezel is shaped because it is not completely round but instead has a hexagonal style. With its leather strap and relatively sporty case, it makes for a versatile and sporty timepiece.
The watch has a stainless steel case with small crown guards and aggressively angled lugs. On top of the case sits a mineral crystal and powering it is a quartz movement. The water resistance is 50m/165 feet.
The dial is quite simple with a black background and applied metal hour markers filled with luminescence. The only detail you’ll find on the dial is a day and a date window positioned at 3 o’clock.
As a stylish everyday tool watch with a nod to the AP design, this is an appreciated choice – in particular considering its very affordable price.
Specifications
- Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
- Crystal: mineral
- Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
- Movement: quartz
Festina Chronograph F20448/3
Last but not least, we have the Festina Chronograph F20448/3. This is a masculine, cool, and sporty timepiece with an eye-catching design.
The watch has a stainless steel case with a unidirectional rotating bezel and a shape that is done to resemble the Ap octagonal bezel. The case has the same aggressively angled lugs to integrate with the bracelet. The crown guard and chronograph pushers are quite bulky and so is the bracelet. This makes this watch quite masculine and most suitable for men who enjoy large and bulky timepieces. On top of the case sits a hardened mineral crystal.
The watch is powered by a quartz movement and offers a water resistance of 100m/330 feet.
The dial is really eye-catching with a beautiful blue sunburst brushed finish and red accents for a sorry touch. Since it is a chronograph, it also has sub-dials. To ensure great legibility, it has large applied hour markers and hands as well. At 6 o’clock, you can also find a date window discreetly integrated.
Specifications
- Crystal: mineral
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
History & background of the Royal Oak
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was launched in April 1972 at the annual Swiss Watch Show, an event that would later be renamed Baselworld. The concept behind the Royal Oak was to design the world’s first luxury sports watch. And what is perhaps most impressive is that this watch, which has proven to be one of the most iconic and popular watches in the world, was designed in only a day.
The story behind the birth of the Royal Oak was the quartz crisis. Just like many other Swiss watch brands, Audemars Piguet was facing financial trouble due to the great competition for quartz watches from Japan. To a large extent, quartz watches were seen as the future, and they were also considerably more affordable than their Swiss luxury counterparts.
As a result, Audemars Piguet had to do something drastic to turn the decrease in sales. As such, Audemars Piguet listened to the Italian watch market in 1971 and found an interest in a steel luxury watch that the market wasn’t currently meeting. Audemars Piguet, therefore, decided that it was time to release something completely new and unique that would take the market by storm and take back lost market share. The man who was set to design the new watch was no other than the Swiss designer Gerald Genta – a designer who has been responsible for several of the most iconic watch designs in the world, including the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse, Omega Constellation, and many more.
Gerald Genta was approached on the evening of the 1971 Swiss watch show by the managing director of AP, Georges Golay who told Genta about the demand for a luxury steel watch that could be worn on all occasions, and with the utmost finish and attention to detail. He also told that he needed the design the following morning.
Said and done, Gerald Genta came back with the design of what would become the Royal Oak. The Royal Oak is inspired by a traditional diver’s helmet and features several distinct and iconic design elements, including an octagonal-shaped bezel, 8 exposed hexagonal screws on the bezel, an integrated bracelet, visible gaskets under the bezel, and of course a dial with a petit tapisserie motif.
The watch was originally priced at 3300 Swiss Francs which was more expensive than a gold Patek Philippe dress watch and more than ten times the cost of a Rolex Submariner, for a stainless steel watch. The ethos behind the watch was Haute horology and fine watchmaking, but without relying on precious metals for it to be luxurious.
Unlike what you may think, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wasn’t an instant success. In fact, the watch was first met with a bit of criticism. Perhaps the market wasn’t ready for such a ”revolutionary” timepiece or had to be convinced about it. Some of the criticism that arose was that at this price, Audemars Piguet should have been able to have concealed screws as well as visible gaskets. Audemars Piguet made 1000 watches of the first version, the A-series, and it took more than one year for Audemars Piguet to sell all the first 1000 Royal Oaks.
But after a while, watch enthusiasts and collectors started to see the appeal of this world’s first luxury steel watch and it eventually becomes a huge success, and eventually also the iconic, symbol of Audemars Piguet.
What is the cheapest AP Royal Oak?
The cheapest Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches are generally vintage Lady gold and steel Royal Oak quartz watches. These are priced at around $5000-6000, but the value of these watches (and all Royal Oak watches for that matter) is continuously increasing as the demand for them increases and Audemars Piguet keeps increasing the prices for its new watches.
The cheapest men’s Royal Oak watches start at more than $10000 and this will mostly only get you quartz alternatives. For an automatic men’s Royal Oak, you’re usually looking at a price of at least $20000. With this said, this is a lot of money to spend on a watch for most people, and this is why a lot of people who enjoy the design of the Royal Oak tend to look at cheaper alternatives.
What is an affordable alternative to the Royal Oak?
This is an interesting question because considering what we discussed above, an affordable automatic men’s alternative to the Royal Oak could be priced at $10.000 and still be considered affordable compared to most of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Models. But if we look at it from a broader perspective, most people would certainly not consider 10K for a watch affordable.
With this in mind, it depends on what you compare with. For an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, 10K is cheap, but for a watch, it’s an insane amount – an amount that is absolutely crazy to spend on a watch for most people.
In this article, we have focused on watches that cost around $1000 at max and less. Whilst $1000 is still a lot of money for a watch for a lot of people, it can still be considered extremely affordable compared to the Royal Oak.
Things to look for in a Royal Oak Alternative
When looking for an alternative to the Royal Oak, the most important part is natural design. As you can see in this list, the watches are more or less similar to the Royal Oak in one way or another. Some watches are almost homages and have very evidently taken inspiration from the Royal Oak, while others have perhaps taken a few design traits from the Royal Oak but created their very own design. Naturally, the most iconic design elements of the Royal oak that are most iconic are:
- The integrated bracelet with rectangular links
- Striking polish and finish with beveled edges and a beautiful brushing
- Octagonal bezel
- Tapisserie dial
- Exposed bezel screws
The watches in this list may have incorporated a few of these elements into their designs, but most of them have not incorporated them all simply because they would be too similar and essentially homage watches.
But in addition to this, some of the things you can consider when choosing your Royal Oak alternative are:
- The size – What is your wrist size and which size will work best for your wrist?
- Do you want an automatic or quartz movement?
- Do you need any additional functions like date or chronograph?
- What water resistance do you need?
- Do you want an automatic or quartz watch?
