Best affordable replica Rolex Datejust alternative
LeJour is one of those rare success stories where a vanished Swiss brand is revived through a current catalogue, and they continue to thrive through the LeJour Brooklyn collection - with some unique twists on elements of the beloved dress and field watch. If you've been looking for a fun, reliable, everyday wearer with a hint of luxury, LeJour Brooklyn makes a strong case against stiff competition.
While LeJour was originally known for its clocks in the 1970s, the brand's second generation wears its influences proudly on its sleeve. The LeJour Brooklyn's case has a 1960s-inspired design that, along with the fluted bezel, gives it more of a vintage Rolex Datejust flavour. The unprotected crown and Oyster bracelet double this aesthetic, with a polished centre link contrasting with the fully brushed case. While the design cues are certainly vintage, the proportions have been tastefully modernized with a 40mm diameter and 47mm lugs, offering a larger presence that is still friendly to smaller wrists. 11.5mm total thickness makes the watch feel sturdy without being overwhelming.
Regarding the dial, the LeJour Brooklyn strays from the replica Rolex Datejust theme, although it features elements from another rare Rolex model. The diamond indexes, alpha hands and quarter Arabic numerals are reminiscent of the Super Precision Air King ref. 5500, although on the LeJour Brooklyn, they are greatly filled with luminescent paint. The main difference in the LeJour Brooklyn is the hobnail-shaped dial motif, which really elevates the watch to a realm of sporting refinement while retaining that you find the feel of a rare vintage gem.
Another highlight of the LeJour Brooklyn is that it is available in various colours. The default black dial version is more of a charcoal gray, emphasizing the beige luminescence's smoky effect. Next up is a medium-toned denim blue that works well as a go-anywhere, do-anything colour. There is, of course, a green version, but this particular jungle green is more vivid and saturated than most other colours, giving it a lot of vibrancy on the wrist. If you prefer a more classic look, the cream-coloured dial comes close to a safari vibe but doesn't feel too tacky. The next hype colour is a bright Tiffany blue variant, while the last revisits a black background but with a two-tone steel and rose gold case and gold-plated dial details.
If you're familiar with Swiss movements in smaller fake Rolex watch brands, you probably won't be surprised to learn that LeJour Brooklyn uses the Sellita SW200. This movement offers great accuracy and reliability for its price, and is essentially a clone of the ETA 2824 that has ruled the world of entry-level luxury for decades.
