I think the most likely sales hit from the new SD4000...

[alanc]

...will be to the SubC no date. The new SD has the 114060's symmetrical dial AND a date; it also has the more sculpted lugs and crown guards. To me, it's the watch the 114060 always should have been.

[Token74]

I doubt it, different price bracket.

[alanc]

Yes, there is that little detail.

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by Token74

I doubt it, different price bracket.

Great point. IMO the average consumer (no one here on TRF ) walking into an AD for a SS Rolex will pick the Sub or Sub ND hands down over the SDc... If there truly is a 4k price difference between the two this will intensify this. I personally do not believe there would be more than a 15-20% maximum difference between the two watches though.

[Nidal]

Originally Posted by Token74

I doubt it, different price bracket.

Agree

[harvey]

have to agree...with the new sd costing 40% more than the sub (in the uk)...few will make that leap if they are in the market for a diver.

[subtona]

For me, When comparing the 114060 w the 116600, price does not enter into the equation, it is purely emotional.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by alanc

...will be to the SubC no date. The new SD has the 114060's symmetrical dial AND a date; it also has the more sculpted lugs and crown guards. To me, it's the watch the 114060 always should have been.

Highly doubtful.

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by alanc

...will be to the SubC no date. The new SD has the 114060's symmetrical dial AND a date; it also has the more sculpted lugs and crown guards. To me, it's the watch the 114060 always should have been.

I think many who buy the 114060 do so specifically because they want the cleaner look and balanced dial that comes with not having a date. So in that respect, the SD doesn't really compete...I don't foresee it taking significant sales from the 114060, especially with the price spread.. I can see people looking at a Subc date considering the SDc, but I think the price adder for the extra depth rating and He valve will, for many, be a deterrent. So, my guess is that it will be a niche watch, for the WIS crowd, and those for whom price isn't a factor and who want the baddest 40mm dive watch in the Rolex line.

[jujin]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

I think many who buy the 114060 do so specifically because they want the cleaner look and balanced dial that comes with not having a date.

I wouldn't buy either but this appeals to me plus I like the lugs on the new SD better than the sub... but that's choosing the lesser of two evils for me. I don't like the big block case design at all really.

[Chewbacca]

i don't think any rolex diver will take a hit necessarily.

the sd4 will probably bring more people back to rolex who didn't like the sub-c or the dssd. the dssd could do even better since the $ diff is only a few dollars between the sd4 and dssd. even still, the sub-c no date may even sell more units now as it could be seen as a rolex bargain (did i say that?). regardless, expect a price correction across the sub lines shortly to reflect the features and benefits or each model.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by alanc

To me, it's the watch the 114060 always should have been.

With all due respect, that's just nuts!

The 114060 is the rightful descendant of the original Submariner.

There is simply no comparison between the 114060 and the 116600.

They are completely different watch for two completely different kinds of buyers.

You need to take a historical perspective.

It is that perspective that is probably responsible for the return of the Sea Dweller.

[Rashid.bk]

The allure of the 114060 has nothing to do with the SD4C. It's classic no frills and dresses up easily. The gloss dial, clear symmetry, cleaner bezel and lighter thinner wear make it an appealing watch to a boat load of people. If I could I'd get both.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

The allure of the 114060 has nothing to do with the SD4C. It's classic no frills and dresses up easily. The gloss dial, clear symmetry, cleaner bezel and lighter thinner wear make it an appealing watch to a boat load of people. If I could I'd get both.

yup yup!

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by alanc

To me, it's the watch the 114060 always should have been.

Negatron. You might need prescription strength meds to make you understand how crazy that sounds.
Two completely different watches, and like the contrast between them and what the 114060 is, which is damn near perfection. All it needs is lug holes.

[alanc]

i guess I focused too much on the lack of a cyclops on the SD, creating a symmetrical dial with a date, together with the thinner lugs and crown guards. I frankly disregarded the historical issue entirely.

My bad - original post respectfully withdrawn.

[ryanbush]

I actually like the bigger lugs of of the 114060, makes the watch wear bigger without going too crazy

I would assume the majority of the people out there are like myself, love the quality of a rolex but don't want to spend the extra 1k for a date that I never use. I'm in front of a computer or have my iphone with me all day. Only time I wouldn't have these two items is when I'm vacationing and at that point I don't care about the date

It all boils down to why pay more for something I'm don't feel like I need, sure if money wasn't an object I would go with the date over the no date.

[strafer_kid]

I think it's hard at this point, to say what the new SD might hit in terms of sales, and as someone has pointed out, the additional cost may be a key factor! The new SD will still have plenty of competition!

[Fiery]

The 114060 is the most affordable Rolex diver's watch, and the new SD is simply much more expensive. They do not compete at all. In fact, IMHO the new SD will rather steal market from the DSSD than the Subs (114060+116610). Just my $0.02.

[bzabodyn]

I do agree that the 114060 should have has the more sculpted lugs (and lug holes) to make it a better transition from the old 14060M.

BZ

[77T]

I think the new SD fits where it's predecessor did - of course before the DSSD came along. It didn't bleed share away from the Sub at that time.

[brettpaul]

Different watches for different tastes....and the aforementioned price of course....I will certainly pick one up next year!

[Jakx]

Price difference will prevent subC ND from being affected. It's a big market out there, Asia, Middle East, etc. there is room for all four divers in the range. I bet if the Deepsea Challenger were available for sale, some would jump all over it as well!
I do think that if they had given the SD4000C a 42 mm case (as so many guessed on TRF), it might have swayed some interested in DSSD ( just a guess). Instead they chose historical continuity with the previous iteration of the SD, which then allows folks with smaller wrists to have a taste of the heft they crave, but without carrying an aircraft carrier on their wrist.
if we were to look for a "loser", it could be the SubC Date. The price differential, factoring the imminent and inevitable price increase, brings the 2 models close together and I do think the cool factor of the new SD might win people over. I think Some trfers have made the same argument, I just don't remember where right now.

[Tools]

I don't think that anything will take a "sales hit" because of the new SD4c. It's a watch that will appeal to those who want a step-up from what they already have or those who like the "best" of things but find the DSSD just too chunky.

I haven't been interested in any of the new ceramic Subs; I do like the lines and proportions of the new SD4.

[Jakx]

Originally Posted by Tools

I don't think that anything will take a "sales hit" because of the new SD4c. It's a watch that will appeal to those who want a step-up from what they already have or those who like the "best" of things but find the DSSD just too chunky.

I haven't been interested in any of the new ceramic Subs; I do like the lines and proportions of the new SD4.

I think this reflects a lot of folks' first impression about this new SD, the design has gone back to a more classic look.