Baltany S4094: Best Rolex Datejust Alternative

I’ve reviewed quite a few Baltany watches on this channel, and usually they fall into one of two camps: either original designs, or homages to vintage pieces that are long out of production. And even when they take inspiration from contemporary models, Baltany tends to put their own spin on it — tweaking proportions, swapping materials, adding a little twist. But this one is different. The Baltany S4094 stays very close to its source of inspiration — one of Rolex’s most iconic and popular timepieces. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. Because thanks to Baltany’s execution, I’ve come to understand why the original design is so loved. After spending some time with this, I can appreciate the vibe — and if I had ten grand or more to drop on the real thing, I might just consider it. But, songs and praises aside- let’s see if this homage truly delivers.

...

Design

From a design standpoint, there’s no denying what this watch is channeling — it’s very close to the iconic model that inspired it, apart from a few details here and there.

That said, Baltany has put together a very practical piece of kit. We’ve got a screw-down crown and a solid 100 meters of water resistance, which means this isn’t just a showpiece — you can actually wear it day to day with confidence. Now, I went with what I thought would be the most subdued colorway — the full stainless steel version with a black dial. But even this variant really pops. It’s definitely a ‘look at me’ kind of watch. I can only imagine what the two-tone versions look like in person — probably even more spectacular if you want to lean into that flashier aesthetic. There are a couple of design decisions that surprised me — most notably the choice of movement, which I’ll touch on next. And while I’ll save the bracelet and clasp details for later, overall this watch captures the essence of its inspiration while still offering plenty of real-world practicality.

Dimensions

Let’s get into the numbers. The case measures 39 millimeters in diameter — right in that sweet spot for a modern dress watch with classic proportions. Lug-to-lug, we’re looking at 47.5 millimeters, which is compact enough to wear well on slimmer wrists starting from about 6 inches, while still carrying enough presence for larger ones. Thickness, as I mentioned earlier, comes in at 11.5 millimeters including the crystal. That’s commendably slim considering the NH35 inside, which usually demands a bit more space. And with a 20 millimeter lug width, we’ve got endless strap options if you ever want to swap out the Jubilee bracelet for leather, rubber, or even a NATO just for fun. This watch weighs in at around 133g as supplied and 123g sized to my about 7inch wrist. So, yes, Baltany really nailed the proportions here.

Case

Now, originality points may be scarce, but the execution of this case deserves some credit. The sculpting is genuinely well done. The lugs are gently curved and flow seamlessly from the case, which not only looks elegant but also helps the watch sit comfortably on the wrist.

The fluted bezel is of course the star here — crisp, reflective, and unapologetically flashy. This isn’t a watch that tries to hide in the background. And the bezel is complemented nicely by the curved high polished flanks, giving it a very dressy appearance.

The crown is screw-down, signed, and proportioned well. Operation is smooth, threading is clean, and together with the solid screw-down caseback, the watch achieves that reassuring 100 meters of water resistance. Flip it over and we’ll find that the caseback is completely sterile — no logos, no engraving, just a clean brushed finish. Very much in keeping with the Rolex inspiration, and perfectly fine on a watch like this.

Crystal

Covering the dial we’ve got a flat sapphire crystal, sitting about a millimeter proud of the bezel with a nicely beveled edge. And yes, the cyclops magnifier is also sapphire - which is great.

Baltany has a reputation for using very clear sapphire crystals, and this one continues that trend. There is a little bit of reflectivity on the date cyclop that comes across on camera actually more than in real life, but in practice the date remains very easy to read. So, yes, it’s a great execution — especially at this price point

Dial & Lume

The dial design is clean, simple, and well-balanced. We’ve got applied indices which look great, however they do play a little trick on the eyes — in some lights they pop dramatically off the dial, while in others they almost disappear into the background. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does make legibility a little inconsistent. That said, it’s very much in line with what you’d expect from the watch it’s paying tribute to.

Text on the dial is minimal and tasteful: just the Baltany name at 12, and two short lines above the six o’clock marker. And we even have Baltany brandname engraved on the rehaut - nice touch.The handset is nicely done — polished, well-proportioned, and appropriate for the style.

As for lume… let’s just say it’s symbolic. It’s there, but it’s not strong. We are not buying this watch for nighttime visibility, and Baltany hasn’t pretended otherwise. So, yes, the lume isn't the strongest, But in reality, lume is not the selling point on a watch like this anyway

Movement

Now, on the movement front — this is where I was a little surprised. Given how refined this watch feels in hand, I half-expected Baltany to use one of their usual premium choices like a Miyota 9000 series. Instead, we’ve got the Seiko NH35 inside. On the one hand, it’s not the most glamorous choice — but it does bring two big advantages. First, it keeps the price very reasonable, at around $200 before tax. And second, Baltany still managed to keep the case thickness down to just 11.5 millimeters, which is impressive for an NH35.

Bracelet

Now onto the bracelet — and this is one of the highlights. It’s a Jubilee-style bracelet with inverted solid end links, and the integration with the case is genuinely very good. At this price point, I’d say it’s among the best I’ve seen. The way the end links curve against the lugs really elevates the overall feel.

The bracelet itself uses five-piece links, which give it plenty of fluidity and flexibility. And despite that construction, tolerances are surprisingly tight — so we don’t get the sloppy play you sometimes find on budget Jubilee style bracelets. Baltany really tightened it up here. The links are made out of solid 316L stainless steel. And finishing is traditional for this style of bracelet: brushed outer links, high-polished inner links, and polished sides. The links are secured with screws, which is a welcome touch for easy sizing and a sign of quality.

As for the clasp, this is one of the few places Baltany injected a bit of their own design. It’s a double-pusher clasp with a fully milled scissor mechanism inside. The shell feels chunky and solid, with polished chamfers on the edges and plenty of well-spaced micro-adjustments. Even the inner mechanism has been smoothed out at the corners for extra comfort. Overall a very decent clasp. Although I should note that quite a few other brands offer on a fly adjustment systems at the same price point as this watch, so possibly in the next version Baltany might surprise us. Still, overall, a very strong bracelet and clasp package

Wearability

On the wrist, the S4094 is very comfortable. The case design, the curved lugs, and those inverted end links all work together to make it hug the wrist nicely. The weight feels balanced, the bracelet feels substantial, and it sits low enough that it doesn’t flop around.

That said, make no mistake — this is a flashy watch. It’s a dress piece, and not just any dress piece. It’s one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the entire watch world. When you wear it, you’re making a statement. And depending on your style, that might be exactly what you want.

Verdict

So where does this leave us? Well, on the question of value for money, the Baltany S4094 definitely gets my recommendation. For just around $200 before tax, you’re getting a very solidly built watch with excellent finishing, sapphire crystal and cyclops, a reliable movement, and a bracelet that punches above its price point.

But — and it’s an important but — you need to be okay with the fact that this is a very close homage. That may not be for everyone. To Baltany’s credit, they’re not alone in this. Plenty of brands — including Casio and Orient to name some — have done their own takes on this iconic design, some looser, some even closer. So Baltany is in good company here.

Would I have preferred to see a Miyota 9000-series movement inside? Yes, probably. It would have complemented the refinement of the rest of the watch, and might have even shaved a millimeter off the case thickness. But it also would have added maybe $80 to $100 to the price. And at that point, I’m not sure it would still feel like the same value proposition. As it stands, the NH35 does the job reliably and keeps the price very approachable. So overall — this is a well-priced, well-made, and very enjoyable watch. If you’re comfortable with the homage aspect, it’s hard not to recommend it.