It goes without saying, Rolex watches are for many the pinnacle of owning a watch. The brand is a symbol of accomplishment for many. Many people likely saw advertisements, or role models wearing these watches and aspired to one day own the same watch. This is both understandable and admirable; Rolex watches are purpose built, technologically important, and take a lot of time, energy, saving, and personal accomplishment to attain.

To get a Rolex, one has to overcome a lot of obstacles, and also have patience in the process of attaining their dream watch. Impatience can sometimes creep into the process, and it is sometimes nice to find something to satisfy the watch collecting urges one might have. This placeholder can be thought of as a placeholder for the big accomplishment of finally getting a Rolex. The model most first time Rolex buyers yearn for is the Rolex Datejust. It is the perfect balance between sporty and dressy. It has a waterproof, sporty case with a simple dial configuration, but can also be thought of as a formal watch, ready for any occasion.

So when looking for alternatives, one would need to identify a watch with similar general aesthetics; what better place to look other than Tudor. Tudor first appeared on the dials of watches in 1932 after Rolex registered the name in 1926. These watches were a test for the market, and Montres Tudor SA was officially launched in 1946. In launching this company, Tudor began producing extremely beautiful watches that caught the attention of the market.

Because Tudor is owned by Rolex, one will find similarities in the pieces they manufactured. So the big question; what is the Tudor equivalent of the Rolex Datejust? The answer; the Tudor Prince Oysterdate. The Oysterdate comes from the Tudor Oyster Prince, which was launched in 1952, and became their automatic winding, oyster-cased watches. Later, Tudor added a date complication to the watch at 3 o’clock, with a cyclops lens to magnify the date for the wearer, and voila - The Tudor Prince Oysterdate became the best alternative for the Rolex Datejust.

One reference that has become extremely popular is the reference 74000N, which is a completely stainless steel model with smooth steel bezel. This version of the reference was manufactured in 1988. The watch has a 34mm stainless steel case and is in overall good condition, with signs of wear. The watch has a steel, smooth bezel that is in good condition. As with most steel on steel watches, these aesthetics act as a great blank canvas. It is understated and can be worn in just about any environment.

The lugs are sharp, with signs of polishing, but also have with holes, making it easy to switch out straps or bracelets. This is easily one of the best features of the watch and takes personalizing the day-to-day wearing of the reference 74000N to a completely different level.

The watch has a white, sunburst dial, that has aged nicely over time. One can see small unintrusive dots on the dial, which I like to think of as freckled aging. The dial has also aged to a slightly darker cream tone which, with the freckles, gives the watch its own personality. The watch has the typically applied hour markers and applied Tudor logo that are all in great condition, and the crown is signed with the Rolex coronet.

The watch runs on the caliber 2824 automatic wind movement. This movement was launched in 1972 and was heavily used in Tudor watches throughout its history. In 1982, the caliber was upgraded to the 2824-2, which is what one can find in this watch. The movement is 11.5 lignes in diameter, has 38 hours of power reserve and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour.

Now, what a person aspiring to a Rolex Datejust would typically gravitate towards really depends on the preferences of the person. But, many people have moved away from the two-tone Datejust models which for quite some time were the “in-thing”, towards the steel on steel version. For one, they are less costly, but also feel a bit more sporty compared to two-tone models. Given the general shift away from formality in society, these can be extremely well equipped for most people’s day-to-day lives. This also makes the 74000N the perfect alternative. On the wrist it is completely understated, flying below the radar of most people. It also isn’t a watch that one feels they need to be too delicate with, and can treat it like a true sports watch, although it would not look out of place on a nice black strap in a formal environment.

Sometimes the wait for the perfect watch can be an arduous journey. One will likely consume so much content about the watch they want and have to patiently plug away at their goals to finally be successful in attaining them. Filling it with a placeholder is never a bad decision. It can be a good reminder to remain focused on the goal that was set, and being a Tudor 74000N, one can enjoy the history of the brand and the beauty of a nice watch.

Enjoy!