Sea Dwellers

[HogwldFLTR]

When I was first looking at Rolex dive watches the Sea Dweller caught my eye. By spec it was deeper rated than the Subs. The lack of cyclops was attractive to my eye. As far as pricing it was close to the price of the Sub Dates on the used market. This past year the introduction of the 43mm seems to have spiked interest in the model.

I personally still like the old DNA without the added cyclops but that is a matter of personal taste. Does the new 43mm really make this dive watch as more desirable? Certainly there was a rush to buy the 50th anniversary model. To me the older ones always seem to have taken a bigger hit than there Submariner cousins. If this is true will this trend change? I really like the 4K; is it now obsoleted by the 43mm? What do you think?

[sensui]

I think from the 200 other threads by now it's fairly obvious the choice of Sea Dwellers is pretty personal for various reasons. No one has a crystal ball but if I were to bet on a size to stand the test of time, I'd go with what's worked for the last 40+ years of 40mm case size.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by sensui

I think from the 200 other threads by now it's fairly obvious the choice of Sea Dwellers is pretty personal for various reasons. No one has a crystal ball but if I were to bet on a size to stand the test of time, I'd go with what's worked for the last 40+ years of 40mm case size.

A tad snippy on the reply; my search doesn't really provide much of an answer or I wouldn't have posted the questions. So I take it you think the SD43 is a flash in the pan kind of like the DJII.

[yxc145]

I am new to the Rolex watch world. This is just my personal opinion/preference.
Sub is 40mm, I would like the bigger brother Sea Dweller to be slightly bigger and thicker. That's why I prefer the 43mm size.
I have the D-blue, but would still like to get the Sub-LV one day.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

A tad snippy on the reply; my search doesn't really provide much of an answer or I wouldn't have posted the questions. So I take it you think the SD43 is a flash in the pan kind of like the DJII.

Not being snippy....just that over the last months there's been countless threads comparing the sd4k and the sd43 with various arguments on both sides. I favor the former for various reasons and think the 40mm size will stand the test of time. I've got nothing against the sd43.

Just seems to me your thread is rephrasing if the sd43 is a better watch etc by asking if the older watch is outdated...and I'm just saying it's a matter of perspective/personal opinion.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by sensui

Not being snippy....just that over the last months there's been countless threads comparing the sd4k and the sd43 with various arguments on both sides. I favor the former for various reasons and think the 40mm size will stand the test of time. I've got nothing against the sd43.

Just seems to me your thread is rephrasing if the sd43 is a better watch etc by asking if the older watch is outdated...and I'm just saying it's a matter of perspective/personal opinion.

Maybe, however what I'm really asking is if the popularity of the new 43 will actually pull the SDs from their less than favored position in the Rolex line-up or whether or not it is just a "new release" effect. In the past the SDs have always played second fiddle to the Subs, imho. Popularity doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a watch being better or worse. It is a matter of perspective and personal opinion however those details can sound a trumpets victory or death knell for a model.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Maybe, however what I'm really asking is if the popularity of the new 43 will actually pull the SDs from their less than favored position in the Rolex line-up or whether or not it is just a "new release" effect. In the past the SDs have always played second fiddle to the Subs, imho. Popularity doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a watch being better or worse. It is a matter of perspective and personal opinion however those details can sound a trumpets victory or death knell for a model.

I don't think the sd43 magically revives the sea dweller line because the general public generally don't want to spend extra for water resistance....maybe the size increase might appeal to more people over the sub but I don't see that either (else the deep sea would be a lot more popular)...fact that sd43 now having a cyclops also differentiates it even less from a sub also.....movement upgrade is nice but nothing that'd make a normal customer pay up either. I still think the sea dweller will be more niche and most will buy a sub...and it'd get discounted accordingly after the hype dies completely.

[red1108nyc]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Maybe, however what I'm really asking is if the popularity of the new 43 will actually pull the SDs from their less than favored position in the Rolex line-up or whether or not it is just a "new release" effect. In the past the SDs have always played second fiddle to the Subs, imho. Popularity doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a watch being better or worse. It is a matter of perspective and personal opinion however those details can sound a trumpets victory or death knell for a model.

Not sure anyone can answer this question.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Maybe, however what I'm really asking is if the popularity of the new 43 will actually pull the SDs from their less than favored position in the Rolex line-up or whether or not it is just a "new release" effect. In the past the SDs have always played second fiddle to the Subs, imho. Popularity doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a watch being better or worse. It is a matter of perspective and personal opinion however those details can sound a trumpets victory or death knell for a model.

Got to ask do your wear a watch because of so called popularity, or do you wear a certain watch because thats the one you want to own and wear.

[jschmidtdmd]

The sd4k will stand the test of time imo. I also think the sd43 is an incredible piece, which is more of a transition piece between the 4k and the dssd.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by jschmidtdmd

The sd4k will stand the test of time imo. I also think the sd43 is an incredible piece, which is more of a transition piece between the 4k and the dssd.

I have to disagree.

The SD43 is no transition piece by any means.
It's a distinctive model in it's own right and the Cyclops is virtually the defining feature outside of the styling.

[Devildog]

I think we should be looking at them as different. Does the ceramic SD4k render the 16600 obsolete? No. Quite different variations of the same theme. Both can happily coexist.

What the SD43 has that none of the prior Sea Dweller have (apart from the cyclops!) is that it's a 50th anniversary model.

And that, much like the LV sub, is what will, in my opinion, make it stand the test of time more than simply being a certain size ever will

[Gerry62]

my favorite ? Deepsea 116660 or 16600

[Rolex.c6]

Still haven't seen the SD43 in real life. Have tried the Deepsea on before and that was way too big for my wrist. So I am very interested in trying on the SD43, they mostly say it wears smaller than 43 mm.
My dreammodel for this model's 50 anniversary edition would be a 41 mm case without cyclops, the red lettering and the new 3235 movement.

[SurfDiver]

Originally Posted by Rolex.c6

Still haven't seen the SD43 in real life. Have tried the Deepsea on before and that was way too big for my wrist. So I am very interested in trying on the SD43, they mostly say it wears smaller than 43 mm.
My dreammodel for this model's 50 anniversary edition would be a 41 mm case without cyclops, the red lettering and the new 3235 movement.

Maybe try the DSSD again. I have 7" wrists, maybe a little more and it wears great! Need to keep it tightish. If you like to wear loose, it wont work, but probably the 43mm wont work either. In my opinion, repeat just my opinion, the Deepsea is the grandfather of all dive watches. Blancpain is older, but the Deepsea has more experience.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[skkali168]

very happy with my deep sea, just got it yesterday

[KrismanX]

I think Rolex made a great move with the SD43. That exposure will draw more to the Dweller line in any iteration. The fans of the SD line seem to find their individuality with each reference and I believe the attention should actually help the rest of the line. I am a 'max it out' kind of buyer. I am definitely a fan of the Submariner; but knowing there is the SD43 with fully graduated markers on the bezel, higher depth rating, HEV and that pretty red text makes me HAVE to try one of those before making the plunge into divers. Pun intended.


And previous Dwellers just did not tug at my wallet strings the way the SD43 is. Damn you, slightly different watch...

[watchwatcher]

Look, obviously this is going to be very subjective.

I personally think the SD should not be the same size as the sub. I know, I know...it's worked for centuries (jk) and etc, etc...But, as a buyer, if I saw a sub and a SD side by side at an AD sporting the same measurement (and I did), I would have gone sub every time. (Putting on my flame resistant suit now. )

But, I feel like the new SD gives a different vibe...and a welcome breath of fresh air to the collection. Granted, I would have preferred a 42mm size and no cyclops, but...dang, Rolex really nailed the rest of it and I can live with an extra mm and a cyclops. It's given me the solid black diver I've wanted for a while but without duplicating the sub. Of course, this is just my perspective and full disclosure...I don't dive. So...YMMV.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Look, obviously this is going to be very subjective.

Granted, I would have preferred a 42mm size and no cyclops, but...dang, Rolex really nailed the rest of it

This.

[jonnyz1245]

I think the SD43 is the perfect dive watch, especially for us with bigger wrists.

[Joemck]

I think that the sea dweller will remain a niche watch. The SD43 with its better proportions and slimmer girth than the Deep sea will , I believe, prove to be a more popular model. It wears better/ easier and appeals to guys with bigger wrists or those that like a larger watch, but not too heavy: the goldilocks solution.
I should have fallen in this camp. Yet, it didn't wow me. In fact, if I was ever to reaquire a piece, it would be the deep blue. The dial is stunning and the massive dome a visual treat to examine from various angles. The bulk doesn't bother me providing I can accept that the watch would be a weekend wearer.
The sd4000 remains an exquisite piece. A bit small for 8" plus wrists but fantastic for anyone that wants a dive watch that's retains all the DNA and wears a bit smaller than a sub. Did it tempt you, Lee?

[karmatp]

The Cyclops ruins the new SD for me and many others that I know. Why Rolex added it is beyond me.

I would take a old SD sans cyclops every time over the new.

[Roy Rolls]

Been wearing a sea dweller since 1982.

[enginerd]

Originally Posted by Roy Rolls

Been wearing a sea dweller since 1982.

Been looking for a 1982 Sea Dweller since 2012...maybe it'll end up being my 40th birthday present to myself in 2022.

I've settled on two other SDs, and a Tudor Big Block for now.

[VicLeChic]

I find the 40mm divers on the small size on my average 17in/18cm wrist. I prefer 42-44mm. Some people have a more traditional approach to Rolex and resist what I regard as evolutionary changes some buyers were waiting for.

Ideally they should offer two sizes for the Sub / SD to make everyone happy.

[Toomanyms]

Imho I think 40 mm is great size for a dress watch ,but 42mm to 44mm is perfect for a sport watch such as the SD 43 . I'm pretty average portion with a athletic build 42 is perfect for me . Absolutely love my 43 mm sea Dweller . On the other hand these 46mm 50mm are way to big for the average guy to pull off ( ala flavo flav ) I also love my 40mm airking but the majority of my watches are 42-44

[hitman23]

I would prefer the 16600 case size to this one, but I do like the red lettering.

[faz]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

When I was first looking at Rolex dive watches the Sea Dweller caught my eye. By spec it was deeper rated than the Subs. The lack of cyclops was attractive to my eye. As far as pricing it was close to the price of the Sub Dates on the used market. This past year the introduction of the 43mm seems to have spiked interest in the model.

I personally still like the old DNA without the added cyclops but that is a matter of personal taste. Does the new 43mm really make this dive watch as more desirable? Certainly there was a rush to buy the 50th anniversary model. To me the older ones always seem to have taken a bigger hit than there Submariner cousins. If this is true will this trend change? I really like the 4K; is it now obsoleted by the 43mm? What do you think?

Here is my newbie take:

SD43 is a beautiful watch, tried it on at AD (already spoken for) and liked it overall. But it felt big, compared to the GMT/SUB that I am used to.

SD4k, If I walked into an AD and saw SD4k and SubC, I would not pay the added premium for it. It wouldn't buy me anything over SubC: extra dept, lack of cyclops, wouldn't persuade me to put up with extra thickness and heavier watch. These are types of things that attract a WIS who can detect and appreciate those details, but not general buyers (which I fell or still fall under.)

Even today, given my little extra knowledge of Rolexes and knowing SD4k discontinued, I wouldn't spend any money on it for the same reasons I stated above. Unless the demand from WIS for outgoing SD4K is so much that can push its prices higher and higher, I don't see its 'popularity' changing among non-WIS masses.

SD43 is attracting a lot of big watch buyers who find the massive DSSD just too big/thick. I think that trend will continue and don't see the demand for it coming down anytime soon. General public looking for larger size Rolex can justify the price difference now between SD43 and SubC, vs. in the past (SD4k or 5 digit) when its size was identical to SubC.

[HogwldFLTR]

Well, I swallowed the hemlock; SD4K is on my wrist!!!!

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Well, I swallowed the hemlock; SD4K is on my wrist!!!!

Congrats again, Lee!