Side by side

Rolex Submariner DatevsSeiko Prospex Sea

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Submariner Date
RolexSubmariner Date
MSRP $19,450
Prospex Sea
SeikoProspex Sea
MSRP $625
What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Rolex Submariner Date

The Rolex Submariner Date is widely discussed for its functional date complication and iconic cyclops lens, which some owners find essential for daily use and a classic Rolex feature, while others prefer the cleaner, more symmetrical aesthetic of the no-date version. Some owners consider the Submariner Date a versatile, lifelong watch that holds its value, though one owner reported boredom after five months. On balance, owners are divided on the cyclops and date function, with a significant portion favoring the no-date model for its dial symmetry and historical appeal.

Seiko Prospex Sea

The Seiko Prospex Sea is widely praised for its excellent value, solid build quality, and comfortable wearability, with many models featuring impressive lume and attractive dials. Owners and reviewers highlight the modern upgrades on classic designs, such as drilled lugs and reliable movements with hacking and hand-winding capabilities. Some models are noted for their refined case finishing and scratch resistance. Accuracy figures vary, with one owner reporting approximately 4 seconds fast per day, while others find the movements offer good performance for the price. Concerns raised by owners and reviewers include clasps that can feel generic or cheap, and lug widths that some find disproportionate to the case size on certain models. The thickness and weight of some Prospex Sea watches are also noted as substantial. The GMT function on specific models is considered secondary and difficult to read for true travel purposes.

At a glance

17 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Submariner Date41mm
Prospex Sea43.8mm
Power Reserve
Submariner Date70h
Prospex Sea41h
Water Resistance
Submariner Date300m
Prospex Sea200m
MSRP
Submariner Date$19,450
Prospex Sea$625

Full specifications

Case

8 specs
Diameter
41mm
43.8mm
Thickness
12.8mm
Lug-to-Lug
48.7mm
Lug Width
22mm
Material
Rolesor
Stainless Steel
Finish
18 kt yellow gold
Brushed and polished
Water Resistance
300m
200m
Caseback
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown
Solid

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
AR Coating
Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Dial Color
Blue
Black
Indices
Index
Applied
Lume
Chromalight
LumiBrite on hands, index(es) and bezel

Movement

4 specs
Caliber
3235
Seiko 4R35
Power Reserve
70h
41h
Jewels
31
23
Complications
Date
None

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$19,450
$625
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