Even more ellegant :

 

I wouldn't call the DJ "boring" at all! The facets of the fluted bezel are hypnotizing the way they catch the light, the sunburst dial (at least on mine) is a work of art!! I find the whole package extremely interesting to look at.

 

Why the fluted bezel? Surely a smooth bezel is more generic and boring.

When I went shopping for mine I wanted a smooth bezel and oyster bracelet... as generic and un-Rolex looking as possible... which eventually led me to realize that a Rolex was not what I really wanted so I went with this instead.

If looking like a Rolex is a requirement then only a Rolex will do.

 

Why the fluted bezel? Surely a smooth bezel is more generic and boring.

When I went shopping for mine I wanted a smooth bezel and oyster bracelet... as generic and un-Rolex looking as possible... which eventually led me to realize that a Rolex was not what I really wanted so I went with this instead.

View attachment 17980179

If looking like a Rolex is a requirement then only a Rolex will do.

i'd second the AT is a fantastic DJ alternative, without a doubt. simple, straight up no nonsense for one without a fluted bezel.
The globe master as mentioned also real nice.. love the burgundy and gold AC.
but AC's require explanation and that defeats the "idea" of the date just. I'd so get the burgundy/gold globemaster AC if i didnt already own a AT AC... that would be me doubling up and i do so try not to do that.
The pointy arrow minute hand of the AT makes it a little more playful that the straight up stoic fence posts of the DJ.

it doesnt have to look like a DJ, just the all business, no nonsense simple and elegant look of one.

 

"Fluted" on any watch can give it some character, which many like.

 

if i had to break it down... what makes it what it is?

stick markers. - no arabic numerals, thats for the plebs who need help to read the time, stick marker for the educated elite who can read without help, and maybe roman numeral (?) if you asceded high enough and are it the illuminatit o read the secret codex?

The fluted bezel is an odd one - give it some presence, a little bit of bling, but not enough to make it shouty and useful only to collect dings. there are variations of the bezel, tudors, etc.. they dont have to be fluted exactly.

fence post hands - not a necessity, GS style hands make sense as well. no knobs, flakes, phallic shapes, car motifs etc.
PF, Zenith, Bucherer etc handset types are real nice as well.

not a dress watch.

 

Mido made a fluted bezel Commander in several dial colors. The good looking derivative design shows up on EBay.

 

Not sure if you're open to more affordable micros, but Islander has a fluted bezel option for their SARB-a-like. Looks like they've paired back the options, but their 2-tone versions have it and a green dial in all steel has it. I think they also sell the bezel separately, so you could have it swapped onto one of the smooth bezel models.

 

I have always associated the fluted bezel with Rolex, and once seen a guy wearing an old Rolex with a beat up bezel, cheapened the watch no end, but looks great when new.

 

I'd say the PF tonda is more than a DJ alternative for example. its more "designer" and less daily driver looking.

 

 

Oris propilot X as another example of the lines along im thinking.

 

more same and less not....

 

I've been a fan of the TT fluted Datejust since long before I bought my own in 1989 when I was 38. I'm a fan of it as much today as I have been for the past 35 years of ownership. Horses for courses. To think of it as an "old man's" watch is the absolute hubris of youth. When I bought mine, it was young men buying them. Sorry we got old.

Not too bad looking for a watch I've owned for almost 35 years. Played golf wearing it, sailed our boat wearing it, went shooting wearing it, went ocean and fresh water swimming wearing it , tennis, etc. You get the idea. Matter of fact, I've been wearing it the last 2-3 days.

 

Fluted IS pretentious. Plain bezel (or even absent) is my personal choice.

 

Fluted IS pretentious. Plain bezel (or even absent) is my personal choice.
View attachment 17980325 View attachment 17980326

Shudder. "Pretentious" What's "pretentious" is calling other watches pretentious especially with your odd looking DJ.

 

Probably too "low-brow" for your taste, but what about the Tissot PRX TT (w/the solid gold bezel, not plated)?

Also, though not fluted, I'd consider the next-most-classic TT watch after the DJ to be the 35 or 36mm (depending on generation) Omega Constellation. Stick markers with a Roman chapter ring around the bezel.

 

Probably too "low-brow" for your taste, but what about the Tissot PRX TT (w/the solid gold bezel, not plated)?

Also, though not fluted, I'd consider the next-most-classic TT watch after the DJ to be the 35 or 36mm (depending on generation) Omega Constellation. Stick markers with a Roman chapter ring around the bezel.

Its s ridiculously good looking watch for the money.. without a doubt. Probably the only PRX id consider if i was considering a PRX.
Quite literally no "waffling" about.

If this Wise with its liquidy case had the dial and bezel of the PRX... damn!

 

 

I think everyone knows rolex stole it straight from SEIKO

image borrowed from chronocentric.com

 

I also think that the obvious has perhaps been missed: Why not get the DJ you like and get a watchmaker to install the crystal from the same sized OP?

 

i was looking for alternatives to the big R's date just, day date with a fluted bezel. similar vibe but not Rolex.

That Tudor is lovely.

 

Not exactly fluted but came without the magnifier and added one.

 

You have to hunt around for used ones, but I have always liked the look of this particular Tudor better than most:

Tudor Classic. They also made it in white dial variants and steel/gold. Great looking lugs.

 

Anything Grand Seiko
Cartier Santos
Omega Aqua Terra
Omega Constellation Globemaster
Rolex Oyster perpetual.

 

Fluted bezels?

 

There's always the Titoni Cosmo line. Similar prices to the PRX but a bit more unusual and closer to the DJ/DD silhouette: COSMO

 

There's always the Titoni Cosmo line. Similar prices to the PRX but a bit more unusual and closer to the DJ/DD silhouette: COSMO

Titonis Cosmo line simply seems to try too hard... to me at least.

 

The Globemaster was already mentioned but I prefer this version - less fussy and more low key. I came very close to buying one but went with a GS instead.

 

Globe master has sort of a pie pan dial...
would have been neat if they did a pie pan dial with curved hands,.

 

Tudor Royal 38mm?