Milifortic D100: Affordable Rolex Submariner homage - Diver Watch Style

The Milifortic D100 is stepping into dangerous waters. Why? Because this is a homage to that dive watch—the one that’s been homaged more times than anyone can count. And the truth is, the bar has been set quite high. At the current price, Milifortic’s got an uphill battle on its hands. So the big question—did they actually pull it off? Or is this just another homage that gets lost in the shuffle?

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Design

Now, let’s talk design—and right away, we’ve got to admit, there’s very little originality here. This is the so-called Maxi case, a style that Rolex itself phased out a few years ago. Can we call it retro? Maybe. Vintage? Possibly. But one thing’s for sure—it’s a Maxi case through and through.

That said, the execution is actually very good. Visually, it looks sharp, the proportions are clean, and while the design language isn’t new, the way Milifortic has put this together is definitely pleasing. And, of course, we have all the premium materials here, including nice Sapphire crystal.

One detail I really appreciate is the inverted end links. Normally, with this design, we get protruding end links that stretch the watch out a bit more on the wrist. But here, Milifortic has gone with inverted links, which not only lean into that vintage flair, but also help the watch sit more comfortably on the wrist. Always a welcome change in my book.

Now, the clasp—this will look very familiar if you’ve seen my recent Baltany reviews, which makes sense since Milifortic is their sister company. The design is pretty much the same as what Baltany has been using lately, which is a bit different from Rolex’s approach.

Colorways

In terms of colorways, Milifortic doesn’t just offer the D100 in the classic black-and-white monochrome version. There’s also the so-called Hulk with its full green setup, a Bluesy look—though without the gold accents—and, of course, the black dial paired with a green bezel, which most enthusiasts usually refer to as the Kermit. So yeah, there are a few options here, and together they should cover most tastes.

Dimensions

The case diameter comes in at 40 millimeters, with a thickness of about 12 millimeters including the crystal. Lug-to-lug is 48 millimeters, and the lug width is 20 millimeters, keeping things strap-friendly. On the supplied bracelet, the watch weighs around 155 grams.

Case

The case on the D100 is executed to a very high standard. The proportions feel spot on, and the geometry is crisp throughout. Transitions between the brushed and polished surfaces are clean, with no soft edges. The lugs have a fine brushing across the top, giving it that tool-watch character, while the case flanks are high-polished, adding just enough contrast to keep things sharp. For a diver in this price range, the machining is excellent.

On the right side, we get a screw-down crown that’s well-sized, easy to grip, and neatly signed with the Milifortic logo. The threading is smooth, and combined with the screw-in caseback, it helps deliver the claimed 200 meters of water resistance. The caseback itself is a mix of brushing with a polished chamfer—nothing flashy, but it does the job.

Overall, the case is solid and well put together. While it doesn’t push any boundaries in design, the finishing and construction are handled with care, and that’s ultimately what counts here.

Crystal

The crystal on the D100 is excellent—easily one of the highlights of this watch. It’s a flat sapphire with a slight bevel at the edge, sitting just a fraction of a millimeter above the bezel. Unlike Rolex, Milifortic has actually applied anti-reflective coating here, which does make a difference. The clarity is very good, and reflections are kept nicely under control.

The cyclops is also sapphire and just as well executed. The magnification is spot on, giving the date window real legibility without any distortion. Honestly, this is one of the best cyclops executions I’ve seen on a Submariner homage at this price point.

Dial & Lume

The dial here is very well executed. No points for originality—it’s exactly what you’d expect from a Submariner homage—but the quality is clear. The printing is crisp and balanced, with all the elements placed where they should be. The hands are well proportioned, and while they may be a fraction of a millimeter shorter compared to some other homages, that’s only noticeable in direct side-by-side comparisons. On the wrist, they look right on and keep the dial balanced and clean.

One detail I appreciate is the rehaut. On some homages you’ll see it angled, which creates a bit of separation from the bezel. Here, Milifortic has gone with a straight, vertical rehaut, which makes the dial feel slightly shallower and integrates more seamlessly with the bezel. It’s a subtle choice, but it works really well.

As for lume, this is an area where Milifortic didn’t hold back—and that’s exactly what you want in this price category. The application is generous, brightness is excellent, and the tone itself is spot-on, very close to the bright blue you’d expect from the Rolex that inspired it. It glows cleanly, lasts well into the night, and genuinely punches above average for a $200 diver. High marks here for sure.

Movement

Before we even dive into the specs, we need to quickly talk about what’s inside this watch. And while the visuals here are excellent—something you can see on camera without me even needing to point it out—the movement choice is where things get a little tricky.

Milifortic has gone with the Seiko NH35. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a reliable, proven workhorse that gets the job done—hacking, hand-winding, about 41 hours of power reserve. No complaints there.

But here’s the thing: at around the $200 price point, the NH35 is starting to feel like it’s sitting right on the edge. If this watch were positioned lower, it wouldn’t be a question at all. But in this segment, a brand like Milifortic might raise some eyebrows by not stepping up to something a bit more refined or slim. It’s not a dealbreaker—but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Bracelet

The bracelet on the D100 is very well executed. It’s an oyster-style design with solid stainless steel links and solid end links, and Milifortic has gone with inverted end links that are slightly recessed. That detail makes the bracelet more comfortable and helps the watch sit properly on the wrist—definitely a good choice.

Build quality is solid across the board. The loinks are connected by screws. The links are nicely finished, the brushing is clean, and everything feels well put together. The clasp is a milled, double-pusher design that’s signed, brushed on the surface, and finished with polished chamfers along the edges. It offers plenty of well-spaced micro-adjustments, which makes dialing in the fit easy. Functionally, there’s nothing wrong here at all—it’s secure, comfortable, and nicely executed.

That said, it’s worth pointing out that other vendors in this same price category are already including on-the-fly adjustment clasps. And of course, the Rolex Submariner that inspired this watch also has on-the-fly adjustment. So while the quality of execution here is very good, it does feel like a bit of a missed opportunity for Milifortic.

Wearability

As you’d expect from this design, wearability is excellent. The proportions make it well-balanced on the wrist, and it wears comfortably throughout the day. That comfort is further enhanced by the inverted end links, which keep the effective lug-to-lug nicely under control. No surprises here—this iconic case shape is popular for a reason.

Verdict

So, verdict time. You know what you’re buying here—it’s a Submariner homage, and this design has been done countless times by different vendors. That means competition is fierce.

If this watch came in around $150, it would be an absolute knockout deal. At $200, things get a little more complicated. On the plus side, Milifortic is one of the very few offering inverted end links, which really help with comfort. The lume is excellent—better than average in this category—and the crystal, with proper AR coating, is genuinely impressive.

On the flip side, the absence of an on-the-fly clasp adjustment, combined with a bezel action that doesn’t feel quite as refined as some rivals, keeps it from being perfect. Not dealbreakers, but worth noting.

Bezel

Visually, the bezel is excellent. It’s a ceramic insert with premium materials where you’d expect them, complete with a properly lumed pip at the 12 o’clock position. The grip machining is clean, the markings are well done, and I actually like that they’re not a stark, bright white—they have more of a subdued, almost grayish tone that works really well with the overall design. From a distance, the bezel looks close to perfect.

When it comes to action, though, things get a little less convincing. Alignment is spot on, the sound is crisp and clicky with a nice subdued pitch, and tolerances are tight with no wobble. But the resistance is higher than I’d expect. The action feels slightly dampened, and while not a deal-breaker, it doesn’t have the same refined feel as some other bezels in this price range. There’s also a touch of back play—again, nothing major, but it’s there. It may well loosen up with use, and if it does, it could turn into an excellent bezel. Out of the box, though, it feels just a bit tighter than ideal.