If you’re looking into buying a Steinhart watch, this article will help you decide if you should.
If you consider yourself a serious luxury watch enthusiast and you’ve experienced any measure of success in life, no doubt you have dreamt of owning your very own Rolex watch or something equally as pricey.
For some, it’s a possibility. For others — a mere dream. If you’re in the latter category you’ve probably considered settling for a cheaper alternative, but the difficulty in that lies within finding a reliable yet affordable brand that balances quality with longevity in equal measure.
Steinhart is a watch brand that positions itself within the affordable watch sector. Many of its designs are based on popular Rolex watches.
Whilst these watches may look similar, their price tags differ vastly, which makes Steinhart a consideration when it comes to searching the market for a suitable Rolex alternative. But how does a Steinhart watch measure up to a Rolex watch or other luxury watch brand?
First, let’s take a look at some FAQs regarding Steinhart as a brand.
Table of Contents
Is Steinhart Swiss-Made?
Steinhart is not a Swiss brand, although its watches are fitted with Swiss-made movements.
Founded in Augsburg by company chairman and watchmaker, Gunther Steinhart, the watch brand operates from Germany without the addition of any middleman or bricks-and-mortar stockists.
The Swiss-made movements that power Steinhart watches are ETA and whilst the brand’s quest to produce in-house movements is still ongoing, you can upgrade to a Soprad movement in newer, more expensive models.
All sales of Steinhart watches take place online and are shipped directly from its Stadtbergen-based headquarters in Germany.
Is Steinhart a Homage Brand?
Steinhart is a homage watch brand that has produced timepieces clearly inspired by the Rolex Sub, and the IWC Big Pilot’s watch, as well as GMT watches that strongly mimic the Rolex line-up.
Whereas some homage brands reiterate a popular design but combine it with their own style, Steinhart watches are considered a brand that mimics some of the world’s most iconic collectibles in a very strong way.
However, for some, the designs are a little too close for comfort.
Is Steinhart As Good as Rolex?
One of Steinhart’s most popular watches is the Ocean One dive watch. Equipped with legible hands and hour markers, a strong metal bracelet, and a unidirectional rotating bezel, the watch certainly has plenty of aquatic aspirations.
Its design is based heavily on the Rolex Submariner, however, which is one of the world’s most sought-after and expensive dive watches on the market.
Any Rolex watch fan will agree that the price of a Submariner watch is reflected in the company’s use of innovative materials and is backed by brand provenance.
Whether you like replica watches or not, we can all agree that the quality of a Rolex watch will never be matched by a watch sold for a fraction of its price.
Rolex Submariner watches are incredibly durable and feature a special Oystersteel case integrated with superior waterproofing technology around the crown to prevent water damage inside the case — just one example of how the company has remained at the forefront of the luxury watch industry.
The Rolex Submariner has been a popular dive watch since it debuted in the 1950s. What’s more, it has a fascinating back story that began with the release of the first all-steel Rolex Submariner, fashioning a black rotating bezel and a classic black dial.
Its 100-meter water-resistant design was incredibly avant-garde for its time, enabling watch enthusiasts the chance to swim into unchartered territory.
Over the years Rolex made some significant modifications, one being the addition of a date feature positioned at 3 o’clock underneath a cyclops lens and another being an improved water resistance of 300 meters.
Other additions to the design include improved materials for its bezel. The Cerachrom bezel is incredibly tough and scratch-resistant and promises color-fade resistance.
The Rolex Submariner has also grown slightly in size and is now offered in a 41mm case, alongside other features like a Triplock triple waterproofness system integrated into its crown.
In comparison, Steinhart offers the Ocean One watch with a very similar aesthetic to that of the Submariner.
Upon first glance, it may look identical to the Rolex Submariner. While avid Rolex watch fans may be able to pick out some instant differences, those who have their heart set on the next best thing may consider this watch as the next closest alternative.
But how does it compare?
Well, the 42mm Steinhart Ocean One watch, with a black ceramic bezel and matching black-colored dial, is just 1mm larger in size but does feature large luminous hour markers (albeit not treated with Chromalight but still, a blue-green Super-LumiNova).
Similar in design are the recognizable luminescent Mercedes-style hands of the Sub, the cyclops date window at 3 o’clock, and a protective sapphire crystal glass front.
The watch also features a stainless steel bracelet with a safety deployment clasp, as does a Rolex Submariner.
Is Steinhart a True GMT?
Whereas original Steinhart GMT watches did not feature an independently operating GMT hand, newer models such as the Ocean One GMT Blue/Red are considered true GMT watches.
This is made possible by the addition of the Swiss Made ETA 2893-2 movement, enabling three time zones to be tracked with the help of the GMT hand and the GMT bezel, executed in a Pepsi-style, with red and blue ceramic inserts to represent day and night-time hours respectively.
Other Thoughts on Steinhart
When asked before why Steinhart watches are so cheap, the brand answered with another question; why are other watch brands so expensive?
While this is easily justified when you think about Rolex owning its own metal foundry, there are other factors to consider, namely the fact that you are paying for a brand name or because a watch manufacturer claims they are better in terms of materials, movements, and technical appeal.
That said, the Steinhart Ocean One watch, for example, is not exactly a cheap watch, to begin with. Thus the debate surrounding a homage watch versus a true watch continues.
Bear in mind, there are many alternatives to consider here. If you want a dive watch that stands for quality and reliability but don’t want to pay top-end prices, the Oris Aquis sits comfortably between the two.
The Aquis is attainable to those who want the status of a high-end brand on their wrist and have a little more money to spend.
Likewise, you can always opt for something like the Tissot Seastar as a quality luxury diving watch. If you’re not a fan of homage brands, Tissot is a bona fide Swiss watch brand that produces quality automatic dive watches for a modest budget.
It’s a personal choice whether homage watch brands like Steinhart are worth it, but many don’t want to wear a watch that looks like a Rolex unless it’s a Rolex and you can certainly understand the sense behind that.
Conclusion
Homage watches are a polarising subject that can divide the crowds but German-based watchmaker, Steinhart, on the whole, is probably doing a not-so-bad job of reiterating some of the world’s most popular and collectible wristwatches.
The trouble is, every watch lover longs for a collection bursting with authentic and expensive timepieces.
The reality is that not many can reach that goal, but, like anything in life, if you’re prepared to pay the price for a genuine Rolex or IWC watch, the rewards are aplenty.
To buy a “true” watch with its own identity is to invest in a timepiece that will uphold its value and maybe even appreciate in years to come. When it comes to an authentic timepiece vs a homage watch, you get what you pay for.
Superior materials, a brand with a reputation in solid, reliable materials, and a name that makes a true statement on the wrist are all worth the money.
The bottom line — Steinhart watches have a quality European construction, offering many keen watch collectors a well-priced, good-looking dive watch with a reliable Swiss movement.
But serious watch fans will never mistake a Steinhart watch for a true Rolex, and when there are so many luxury bang-for-the-buck watches on the market today, you may as well invest in a true grail watch and enjoy all the attention it deserves.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
william ambrey says
Hi Nina, I think Homage watches fill the niche between those that realise they will never or cannot justify the huge wait with its equally huge price tag to purchase something like a Rolex or an Omega…
I collect watches and recent bought a Raven 39mm Vintage and is well worth the 1000 OZ dollars I paid for it – whilst it has obviously been Regulated by the owner (Steve) and so – keeps near Seiko Astron time – it’s still a product of its build cost; which is excellent, also!
I truly believe, as many have alluded to, that there is a lot of Smoke & Mirrors going on in the Watch Industry – and, the Asians are fast catching up to those up-market, overpriced Swiss items.
Truly, how many people can afford to buy one of those insanely priced watches, that still fail?
Dave Hill says
Steinhart watches are now based in Stadtbergen Germany.
As of today, April 17, 2023, Steinhart also offers a Titanium Ocean One GMT which also uses a Sellita SW330-2, a nice movement where fully wound, it runs up to 56 hours. Unfortunately, Steinhart has chosen to make the bezel unidirectional instead of bidirectional, which is what Rolex and many other upscale watches offer.
Kai says
I have recently changed my mind – if not on hommage watches in general, then at least on Steinhart. It was 1996 and I was still a university student with a large number of student jobs when I bought my first Rolex. I had been saving money for it for nearly two years.
Back then wearing a watch like that made me feel like I was lifted to a different value. My self-esteem rose, and with it my whole behaviour changed whenever I wore my Rolex.
An hommage watch was to me something like a replica watch: A cheap shortcut. Something that aspires to make you seem like something your’re not: Shiny on the outside, but not much behind it. And even though people may not recognize it, you would always know for yourself that you don’t live up to what you show off.
Times have changed. At first: Yes, I’m getting older. As the saying goes … At age 20 you care a lot about what others think about you. At age 40 you quit caring what others think about you. At age 60 you realize that nobody ever cared about you in the first place. I’m only 50, but well … It’s true :-).
More than that … It sure depends on where you are and who you’re with. Five years ago I remembered all my old watch dreams – and found that finally I was able to fulfill them! So I bought an Omega Speedmaster Professional, several Breitling Navitimers and Super Avengers, a Sinn 142, and qhite some more … Within these last five years I took note of who asked me about my watches and who obviously looked at my wrist. Double zero! In five years of wearing not only my Rolex (vintage by now), but also truly large watches like the Breitling Super Avenger or the Montbrillant Legende or the iconic Omega Moon Watch not a single person asked me about it. And hardly ever anyone checked my wrist in a way that I noticed.
You may have different experiences, but to me the last five years have turned my watches from proudly worn status symbols to something nearly as privat and personal as my underwear.
Then a few years ago I got my first Steinhart! It’s a Rolex hommage, but hardly anybody would confuse it with a Rolex, because it’s a vintage version mimmicking the Submariner from the late 1950s with a highly domed glass. Only of course, Steinhart uses sapphire glass, has a 42 mm diameter bezel and a level of craftsmanship that would make a 1950s Rolex look like a cheap knock-off.
In the years to come I truly fell in love with this watch. The design was my initial reason to buy it, and I still love it. But what’s more … The Steinhart is a true high quality watch, and that is what I really enjoy in things: Great quality. If it’s a piece of furniture, a luxury car or a pair of shoes. Extraordinary quality (not brand names) is what makes all the difference to me. And the Steinhart is at least on a level with my (old) Rolexes, my Breitlings and my Omega.
Recently I bought some more Steinhart watches. Yes, some are just plain Rolex hommages. The type of watches I would have despised a while ago. Today I don’t care about image, or if anybody might think I was generic because I’m wearing a “generic” watch (in the age of smartphones and Apple watches you hardly run into anybody who cares about “old fashioned” watches anymore anyway). I like the design, and I love the quality even more. And I’m truly proud to wear such a beautiful piece of premium craftsmanship, every day. Looking at the prices Steinhart demands for the high quality watches they offer it almost seems like you’d have to be silly NOT to buy them.
And yes, I’m proud to tell you I could afford the “real thing” from Switzerland without crashing the bank. I just don’t care to spend 10,000 on a thing hardly better than another thing for 500, just to get the name …
I know who I am. I don’t need a brand logo to make me fell worthy (the trick doesn’t work for me anymore). I like great design and superb quality. I love my Steinharts. And anyone who feels like I do and enjoys a mechanical watch should consider trying a Steinhart. They’re truly great watches, hommages or not.
Best regards, Kai from Germany