Notes

What is the best homage to a submariner than Chronos Subby?
No doubt, Rolex Submariner is one of the most iconic watches of all time. Initially introduced at the Bazel Watch Fair in 1954 (later known as Basel World), the Rolex Subby was not only THE dive watch but also THE embodiment of what a watch should be. Its reputation and significance are well known.

With it, however, comes a hefty price tag. Brand new Rolex submariners cost between 6000 and 7000 dollars if you can find them in the shop. There is more often than not a need to go gray and with that, you're looking at at least 10k up front.

As a result, it won't surprise you to find that many later watches take elements of Rolex Submariners and pay homage to them. I know the Invictus Pro Diver but I don't know the Steinhart, but they all have Mercedes hands, lollipop second hands, and case that resembles the Oyster case, in essence, a subpar replica, great news for those of us who cannot afford a Rolex Submariner but want to scratch that itch.

As microbrands have emerged in recent years, we have seen more and more subby homage or clonemage divers. In other words, which one is the best for you?

I searched online for answers to that question and found a variety of models until I found the Cronos Submariner Homage.

The Brand

As a start, let's talk about Cronos as a Chinese micro-brand. It is true that Made in China can carry a negative ring to it and if you are judgemental about it, then this may not be for you. However, if you do not, then you will enter an entirely different realm.

With Cronos and San Martin gaining a reputation for their quality products, which fill the gap left by Seiko's increasing prices, Chinese microbrands have gained quite a reputation in the watch community. Some people even consider them to be cult followers.

Their watches cost between 100 and 300 dollars and offer specs and build quality that no one in the watch industry can match.

Probably the best representation of them is the Cronos Subby Homage.

The Watch

Just like the Sub, this watch looks great.

In addition to a well-defined dial and ceramic bezel, classic Rolex Sub hands, sapphire crystal (both glass and cyclops), screw-down crown and many more specifications, the watch has everything you need for a modern watch. I opted for the Kermit version to be different and have a ton of colour variations available.

The Movement

And then theres the movement. As its base model, the watch is equipped with a Chinese clone of the ETA 2824, the PT5000, which beats at 28800 beats per hour. Apparently, it has even passed COSC certification and is generally regarded as a reliable movement. In copie montres , I owned another watch with a PT5000 and it worked flawlessly for six months.

With my watch, I went for extra luxury and upgraded to the SW200 movement, which is a Swiss clone of the ETA 2824 with similar performance, but at a slightly higher cost. However, I must mention that the winding is much smoother than the PT5000 movement.

Wearing the Watch

The watch measures 40mm in diameter and 47mm from lug to lug. Furthermore, its 20mm lug width allows you to choose straps and its bracelet thins down to 16mm.

I find that it fits just right on my 6 inch wrist and I love the way it looks. With a number of Rolex Subs under my belt, I can confirm that this watch wears and feels exactly the same as the now discontinued Rolex 114060 (minus a few refinements and snobbery).

Additionally, it pairs well with both casual jeans and T-shirts and more formal outfits, which is why it is an excellent choice for everyday wear. In addition to the office, I have taken it to the parks and pubs, making it a true daily companion that is capable of supporting me in an array of situations.

The Price

With Swiss movements and all the bells and whistles, how much does it cost?

250. With that price, you get all the specs you can think of, as well as a Swiss movement. It gets even cheaper at 170 if you are willing to give the Chinese movement a try (again, no prejudice).

Jaw-dropping, right? Too good to be true?
Website: https://www.otxwatches.net/