When it comes to luxury watches, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore are among the most sought-after timepieces on the market. However, not everyone can afford the steep price tag that comes with these watches. Fortunately, replica AP watches offer a similar look and feel without breaking the bank, however, some people would like an homage instead of a replica, or to stick to another brand, but have the joy of wearing that bold octagonal design of AP Royal Oak. In this article, we will be reviewing some of the best affordable watches that mimic the style and elegance of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore, so you can rock the same look without emptying your wallet.”
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore design features
Before diving into the homages and alternatives, we must understand what distinguishes a Royal Oak and a Royal Oak Offshore.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore are known for their distinctive and recognizable design features. One of the most notable is the octagonal bezel that is secured by 8 hexagonal screws, giving the watches a bold and unique look. Another key feature is the “tapisserie” dial, which features a textured pattern that adds depth and character to the watch. Additionally, the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore both feature the brand’s name and logo prominently on the dial, further emphasizing their luxury status.
Another iconic design element of these watches is the integrated bracelet, which seamlessly blends into the case and adds to the overall sleekness of the watch. Furthermore, the Royal Oak has a slim profile and elegant lines, while the Royal Oak Offshore is known for its bold and sporty design.
With that being said, let’s review the watches that look like Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore.
Bulova Royal Oak
The Bulova Royal Oak is a highly-coveted watch that was first introduced in the late 1970s. The story behind its creation is that the original designer, Gerald Genta, had originally presented the sporty design to Bulova, but it was rejected. He then took the design to Audemars Piguet, where it became the iconic AP Royal Oak. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim and it may just be a myth used to inflate the price of used models. Regardless of the origin story, the Bulova Royal Oak is a stylish automatic watch with automatic movement, and a refined take on the Royal Oak design, featuring a more slender bezel and crosshatch dial. The watch is considered to be of high-quality and holds a good resale value. However, finding one can be a challenge as they are highly sought-after and tend to sell quickly. Bulova also produces quartz versions of this watch which are thinner and slightly more available, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for those. The price on the Market is around $3000 for this model, which makes it one of the most expensive watches on the list.
Bulova Classic 98D103
The Bulova Classic 98D103 is a variation of the Bulova Royal Oak, which shares similarities with the Audemars Piguet watch. However, it still maintains its own distinct identity.
One of the main differences between the Classic 98D103 and the original Royal Oak is the use of faux-diamond indices and a three-link bracelet, rather than the Royal Oak’s sophisticated ladder design.
The 98D103 is also similar to the diamond-bejeweled Royal Oak Jumbo Extra Thin, rather than the core model. The watch features a 44mm case, mineral crystal window, 100m water resistance and batons for the 3, 6, 9, and 12 markers. It runs on the basic but reliable Citizen 2117 quartz movement. Additionally, the Bulova’s bezel has 12 sides, compared to the Royal Oak’s eight sides, giving it a more architectural, modern, and masculine look.
Price: $250.
Bulova Chronograph 96D138
The Bulova Chronograph 96D138 is a classic and versatile men’s watch that offers a stylish design with a black dial, silver-tone hands, and hour markers. It features a chronograph function and is powered by a Quartz movement and water-resistant up to 100 meters. The watch has a stainless steel case and bracelet with a safety fold-over clasp, making it comfortable and secure. The watch is suitable for everyday wear, the chronograph function adds a sporty touch, making it suitable for multiple timing functions. The price ranges from $300 to $400.
Perry Ellis Decagon Watch
The Perry Ellis Decagon is a men’s watch that offers a sleek and stylish design, with thoughtful differences from the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The watch comes with a price of $169. It is manufactured by Perry Ellis, an American fashion brand known for its sportswear and dressy lines.
The watch features a ten-sided bezel, thinner and more crowded links, and dagger-like indices. The hands are sword-tipped and the crown guards have hard edges. The design is a laser-sharpening of the original Royal Oak, shaving off the touch of industrialism of its source material.
The screws are also left off the bezel. The black dial is brushed with a sunray face, adding elegance and balance to the harder-designed body of the timepiece. The case is 42mm and runs on a Japanese quartz movement with an analog date.
The watch is also equipped with a window that’s designed on-theme with the rest of the watch, Long, sharp, shiny. It is a fashion watch with a designer brand on its face, but it also offers a respectable 100m of water resistance, a two-year warranty, and surgical-grade stainless steel construction, which makes it a great watch for everyday wear.
Feice FM019
The Feice FM019 is a watch that is heavily influenced by the design of the Royal Oak, with many similarities in its octagonal bezel, hexagonal screws, tapisserie dial, and integrated bracelet.
Despite its clear inspiration, the FM019 still manages to impress with its screw adjustments on the bracelet, which is not a common feature at its price point in the $200 range. Additionally, the watch boasts accurate details such as horizontal brushing on the case, a polished stepped bezel, and paddle hands. The FM019 runs on China’s Seagull movement, which offers 72 hours of power reserve, and is hand-winding automatic. While the FM019’s finishing may not be perfect, it is a solid choice for those looking for a Royal Oak-inspired watch at an affordable price.
Citizen Corso
As a Royal Oak alternative, the silver-toned Citizen Corso is a close match to the Jumbo Extra-Thin edition of the Royal Oak.
It features an octagonal bezel with slightly bowed edges, a detail often left out in homages. This watch leans more towards the dressy aspects of the Royal Oak, with a high-gloss silver-toned dial and lacks the exposed screws and integrated bracelet of the original. The Corso’s case is 41mm, protected by a sapphire crystal and has 100m of water resistance. The watch runs on Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology, a sustainable power source fueled by light that can last up to 10 years on full charge. The watch is priced at $375. Citizen is a good brand for homages due to their technical capabilities and brand-neutral aesthetic.
Citizen BM8430-59EE
The Citizen BM8430-59EE is a watch that incorporates the brand’s popular Eco-Drive technology, which allows the battery to be recharged by light and eliminates the need for regular battery changes.
Despite its solar-powered system, this watch also serves as a stylish alternative to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Its 37mm case features a 12-sided bezel that evokes the angled design of the Royal Oak, and the baton-like hands are also similar in design. However, the dial has a sunburst effect and lacks the crosshatch texturing of the Royal Oak. With 100m of water resistance, this watch is a great option for those with slim wrists looking for a functional and stylish watch that takes inspiration from the Royal Oak. It’s on the lower end price range, at around $150.
Timex Essex Avenue
faithfully apply any single design feature from its source material, but instead revamps each feature for a cool, contemporary audience. This watch is priced around $100.
The Essex Avenue has a smoother bezel, with a whisper of an octagon. The dial is a stark, minimalist black. This serves up a stylishly legible contrast with the green hands and indices, the exact shade as the famous Timex Indiglo lume, which this watch is obviously equipped with.
The lugs are cut off half way down to create sharp edges for an overall techno-crystallized aesthetic. Again, it’s clear they’re going hard on the cool and contemporary factor with this design.
Spec-wise, we’ve got a 44mm low lead brass case, a mineral glass, a 22mm strap, and 50m of water resistance. It runs on a precise quartz movement.
If you’re looking for a youthful but still professional and classy take on the Royal Oak, the Timex Essex Avenue is for you. It’s the sort of watch that looks hip and trendy, but not in the way that it’ll go out of style, thanks to its minimal approach.
CASIO ‘CASIOAK’ GA2100
The CASIO ‘CASIOAK’ GA2100 is another modern and stylish watch that is inspired by the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak design. The watch features a square-shaped case with a stainless steel bezel and a black resin band, giving it a sleek and sporty look. The dial of the watch is also similar in design to the Royal Oak, with a textured pattern and prominent markers and hands.
One of the standout features of the CASIO ‘CASIOAK’ GA2100 is its digital display, which offers a wide range of features such as stopwatch, countdown timer and alarms. The watch is also water-resistant up to 200m, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
The watch also features a backlight function, which allows easy reading of the time even in low light conditions. The watch also features a battery life of 2 years and has a function of dual time, which allows you to switch between two different time zones.
Overall, the CASIO ‘CASIOAK’ GA2100 is a great choice for those looking for a modern and stylish watch that is inspired by the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak design. It offers a wide range of features, including a digital display, water-resistance, backlight function and dual time, making it a versatile watch for everyday wear. Additionally, the watch has a sporty and casual look, making it suitable for both formal and casual wear.
CASIO EFR-S108D-1AVUEF
The CASIO EFR-S108D-1AVUEF is a sleek and stylish watch that is inspired by the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak design. The watch features a stainless steel case and bracelet, giving it a luxurious look and feel. The dial of the watch is also similar in design to the Royal Oak, with a textured pattern and prominent markers and hands.
One of the standout features of the CASIO EFR-S108D-1AVUEF is its solar-powered battery, which eliminates the need for regular battery replacement. The watch also features a water-resistant rating of up to 100m, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
When comparing the CASIO EFR-S108D-1AVUEF with the CASIO ‘CASIOAK’ GA2100, the EFR-S108D-1AVUEF has a more traditional and elegant look, with a stainless steel case and bracelet, whereas the GA2100 has a more sporty and casual look with a black resin band. The EFR-S108D-1AVUEF also has a more classic and clean dial design, while the GA2100 has a more busy and digital display. Additionally, the EFR-S108D-1AVUEF is powered by a solar-powered battery, while the GA2100 is powered by a battery with a life of 2 years.
Overall, the CASIO EFR-S108D-1AVUEF is a great choice for those looking for a sleek and stylish watch that is inspired by the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak design. It offers a solar-powered battery, water-resistance and a classic and elegant design, making it a versatile watch for everyday wear.
Pagani Design PD1707
The Pagani Design PD1707 is a stylish and affordable watch that offers a similar look and feel to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Pagani is a brand that is well-known for its homage watches, which are designed to mimic the style and elegance of luxury watches at a fraction of the cost.
The PD1707 features a stainless steel case and bracelet, giving it a luxurious look and feel. The dial of the watch is similar in design to the Royal Oak, with a textured pattern and prominent markers and hands. Additionally, it has an octagonal bezel that is secured by 8 hexagonal screws, giving the watch a bold and unique look.
One of the standout features of the Pagani Design PD1707 is its price, which is just under $200. This makes it an affordable alternative to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. It also features a water-resistant rating of up to 50m, making it suitable for everyday wear.
Overall, the Pagani Design PD1707 is a great choice for those looking for a stylish and affordable watch that offers a similar look and feel to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Pagani is a brand that is well-known for its homage watches, and the PD1707 is no exception, with its octagonal bezel, textured dial, and integrated bracelet. The watch also offers a great value for its price, just under $200, which is a fraction of the cost of the original.
D1 Milano ATRJ02
The D1 Milano ATRJ02 is another luxurious and stylish homage to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The watch features a stainless steel case and bracelet, giving it a high-end look and feel. The dial of the watch is also similar in design to the Royal Oak, with a textured pattern and prominent markers and hands.
One of the standout features of the D1 Milano ATRJ02 is its sleek octagonal bezel without screws, giving the watch a bold and unique look, similar to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Additionally, it has a sapphire crystal glass, which is more resistant to scratches and impacts than regular mineral glass.
The watch is powered by a Swiss Ronda 762 quartz movement, which is known for its accuracy and reliability. The watch also features a water-resistant rating of up to 50m, making it suitable for everyday wear.
The price of the D1 Milano ATRJ02 is around $600, making it a more expensive alternative to some of the other watches reviewed. However, it is still significantly cheaper than the original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and offers a similar look and feel.
Overall, the D1 Milano ATRJ02 is a great choice for those looking for a luxurious and stylish watch that offers a similar look and feel to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. It features a stainless steel case and bracelet, a textured dial, an octagonal bezel, and a sapphire crystal glass. The watch is also powered by a Swiss Ronda 762 quartz movement, which is known for its accuracy and reliability. While it is more expensive than some other alternatives, it is still significantly cheaper than the original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and offers a similar look and feel.
D1 MILANO ATLAS
The D1 MILANO ATLAS is another homate to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from D1 Milano. The watch features a stainless steel case and bracelet, giving it a high-end look and feel. The dial of the watch is also similar in design to the Royal Oak, with a textured pattern and prominent markers and hands.
If you’re a fan of mechanical watches, the D1 Milano automatic watches are a great option for you. These watches feature Seiko automatic movements and boast a stylish and luxurious design. The D1 Milano “Atlas” model is particularly noteworthy, with its bright blue dial and orange accents. The watch also features a sapphire crystal with a blue anti-reflective coating that looks impressive in sunlight. The price of this watch is around $600.
Another great option from D1 Milano is the skeletonized models that house the NH70a movement, which is designed specifically for this type of case. These watches come in with a 41.5mm diameter, which closely matches the dimensions of modern Royal Oaks. While they may be pricey, these watches certainly look stunning and are a great investment for fans of mechanical watches.
Cadisen C8180
The Cadisen C8180 is a stylish and affordable watch that offers a variety of features for its price point of around $120. It has a classic, yet modern design with a stainless steel case and a leather strap. The watch is powered by a Japanese Quartz movement and has a water resistance rating of 3ATM, making it suitable for everyday wear. The watch also features a chronograph, date function and Luminous Hands. Additionally, it has a Sapphire crystal which is very durable and scratch resistant. Overall, the Cadisen C8180 is a great option for those looking for a reliable and fashionable watch at a reasonable price.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic is a high-end timepiece that is known for its sleek design and precision craftsmanship. It typically retails for around $2000. The brand, Maurice Lacroix, has a long history of producing luxury watches dating back to the 1970s.
The company is known for its use of innovative materials and cutting-edge technology in its watches, and for its commitment to producing high-quality timepieces that are both functional and stylish. The Aikon Automatic is one of the company’s most popular models, and is known for its durability and reliability.
CONCORD MARINER SG
The CONCORD MARINER SG watch is a vintage looking, but still high-end timepiece that is known for its luxury design and craftsmanship. It typically retails for around $1000. The watch features a stainless steel case and bracelet, with a black dial. It has a water resistance of up to 200 meters and equipped with an automatic movement. The watch also has a date function and luminescent hour markers.
In comparison to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the CONCORD MARINER SG is a more affordable option, as the Royal Oak can often retail for several times the price of the MARINER SG. The Royal Oak is also considered a classic luxury watch and has a more iconic design and a longer history of craftsmanship, while the MARINER SG is a more recent model. However, both watches are known for their high quality and durability, and would make a great addition to any watch collection.
GIRARD-PERREGAUX LAUREATO
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato is a luxury timepiece that typically retails for around $15,000. It is a great option for those looking for something with a high-end design, but with a slightly different look than the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The first Laureato hit the market in 1975, only three years after the Royal Oak, making it the oldest watch on this list.
Modern versions of both watches have similarities, including the handsets, dial texture, case shape, and indexes. However, there are a few things that set the Laureato apart. The two-stage bezel includes a polished ring section beneath the Octagonal upper.
Additionally, the sloping lugs are more curvaceous than the steep and sharp ones present on the Audemars Piguet, which makes the Laureato look slightly less blocky, despite coming in several equally large sizes. The watch comes in 44mm and 42mm sizes similar to many AP watches and interestingly also has 38mm and 34mm variants for those looking for a more modest aesthetic. It’s up to you to decide whether this watch is simply a ‘poor man’s Royal Oak’ as some people have coined it.
FESTINA F16757
The Festina F16757 is a stylish watch that typically retails for around $100. The brand, Festina, has an interesting history linked to cycling scandals.
The watch is made of full steel construction and features a fully functional chronograph movement. It has a comparison to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but it has three subdials and pushers. The watch has a decagonal bezel, with no screws, and features lasered Roman numerals at each third hour. The case size is 41mm, but the bracelet features inflexible end links, making it more suitable for people with large wrists, ideally 7 inches and over. It may not look in proportion on smaller wrists.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is a mid-range Swiss-made sports watch based on a 1970s design from the Tissot archives. It has become one of the most popular sports watches in recent memory, typically retails for around $650. It comes in both quartz and automatic versions, as well as a range of sizes and colors. The one that is most similar to the classic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, in our opinion, is the self-winding PRX Powermatic 80 with a beautiful green tapisserie dial. Although it doesn’t have an angular bezel, the PRX’s seventies vibe certainly plays in the same sandbox as the Royal Oak.