SD43 to Sub41

[napashark]

Those that have gone from the SD43 to the Sub did you regret your decision or glad you made the change? My wrist supports the 43 no problem but the comfort contrast to my 40/41 watches is night/day. I like the looks of the SD43 over the Sub and that's the main reason I've kept it so far.

[ferrissteve11]

Having had a number of Submariners and SD iterations I can say that I'm a SD guy. I really like the SD43 as it gives me all the elements of a Sub that I like and the splash of red just makes it IMO. The 43 is arguably one of the best diver's Rolex has produced to date IMO.

[watchgeezer]

if you could pull it off, I would stick with the SD43.. I think with the Red writing, matte dial, fully graduated bezel etc. it's a very special ref.

[JDA0779]

Hi Buddy,
I recently swapped my SD43 for a 41mm Starbucks Sub.
Totally worth if for me. I am longtime Mariner hence wanted the SD , but with a normal 6-6.25 inch wrist i could carry is decently but looked big which was OK as i used to wear bigger watches earlier but the SD43 was super heavy atleast for me even after i removed the extension clasp. Hence i sold and got the Sub. Lovely move for me as just in time before Starbucks went thru the roof ( Nov 2021 i did it).
But if u can afford both keep the SD43. I could not affford both hence the sale of SD43.
I used to come home n remove the SD43 but the Sub can live with it on.
Hope it helps :) JD

[napashark]

Thank you everyone for the great feedback. I'm going to keep the SD43 and add a Sub41 down the line, don't want to regret getting rid of it and then have to replace it down the road. While the SD43 is relatively easy to get compared to other models, with the current Rolex market that could change at a moments notice.

[paxjedi]

I have both.

Short sleeve = SD43
Long sleeves = Sub

[IAN1]

Mistake. Keep the SD43. It's what the Sub should have been.

[SDGT3]

I have both. The SD gets the wrist time most of the time.

[Shank]

Yeah if your wrist can handle it, keep the SD43. I look at value and don’t see the SD43 red one liner going anywhere but up. The submariner is every other Tom, dick and Harry’s watch.

[Laszlo]

I love the sub but it does wear small. It’s extremely comfortable though due to its slim case and footprint. Do I love the sub? Kinda. I really do feel Rolex needs to beef these up a bit.

[rmlovett1]

If we’re talking going from a SD43 to Sub LN, then I’d keep the SD43

[Vetracer]

I have an SD43 and a few Submariners in my collection. I appreciate them equally. There’s something about the red text on the SD43 that speaks to me though.

[EEpro]

If it is comfortable for you I wouldn't trade a mariner for a submariner. Red text. Bezel more balanced. Bigger numbers on the 4th line of text

[breed]

My next watch hopefully is a SD43.

Really like the short/long sleeve idea.

[CAPTMEO]

I have both the SD43 and the Sub41(date). I owned the SD43 first and felt that it was a little big for me sometimes. I was fortunate to get the Sub and fell in love. It wears perfect (for me). But… as often happens, I have really fallen back in love with my SD43. I say get both if you can and appreciate them for what they are. I am currently wearing the sub on a NATO to make them more unique.

[H25B]

I wouldn’t sell the SD43, I think it’s a sleeper hit that would be a mistake to get rid of. It’s been out for about 5 years I think so might be discontinued soon.

[napashark]

Glad to see the SD43 getting it's much deserved love on here. It is a great looking watch and will be staying in my collection. I have been wearing my BLRO nonstop so it hasn't seen much wrist time and that was what got me thinking about the Sub Date. As many have said previously though I'd probably regret letting it go and want it back.

I too dig the short sleeve SD43/long sleeve Sub Date idea so will be looking to add a Sub soon.

[iTreelex]

Get an SD4K and call it a day

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by IAN1

Mistake. Keep the SD43. It's what the Sub should have been.

I like the SD43, but I also appreciate the Sub being smaller for smaller wrists like mine!

[Boaters]

I have the SD43 but switch off a lot with my 116610LV it works for me. If I feel the need for more color then the 16710 with all the insert changes

[Galion]

I’m 55 with a 7.50” wrist and love the Sub size and comfort, looks and feels great on my wrist. The SD43 is the most beautiful Rolex diver but it’s borderline big for my wrist. I wear my Subs on weekdays and my SD43s on weekends… and this comes from a guy that wore a DSSD daily for the last 12 years. Priorities change as you age. If I had to choose I’d keep the Sub, perfect Rolex watch.

[domi1]

i am a big guy and sd43 was my best rolex (before i had sdds- that watch is too thick) but then i tried the new 124060 and i definitely concluded that the sd43 is a bit too big after all.
the thing i like most about sd43 is the matte dial!

[norcalctr]

If you got the wrist size for the SD43, then I wouldn't trade for the Sub. Love the look with the red text. Way to many people with Subs and I rather have something less common.

[alphadweller]

I own both (126600 and 126613LB), I prefer the size of the SD43 on my 7.2in flat wrist. No significant difference in terms of comfort, only the weight. If you want ultra comfort, the YM 116622/126622 is the best.

[1William]

I own both and a DSSD JC and enjoy the different sizes and looks. I would keep what you have.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by napashark

Those that have gone from the SD43 to the Sub did you regret your decision or glad you made the change? My wrist supports the 43 no problem but the comfort contrast to my 40/41 watches is night/day. I like the looks of the SD43 over the Sub and that's the main reason I've kept it so far.

No doubt the SD43 feels bigger on the wrist than the 40mm models, but its still a great design and very well put together. It also makes a nice change or contrast to the 40mm models if you are lucky to have both.

[AnakChan]

I'm currently in a similar dilemma but in a recent visit to the AD, it has swayed me more toward the SD43.

Here are my thoughts, the Cermit actually looked a little small on the wrist which I was surprised as I tried the SubC before and it didn't feel small previously. I realised that the last time, I tried an all black SubC instead. The latter seemed to have a more balanced presence as the black dial & black bezel blend in making the watch look "larger", as opposed to the former's black dial & green bezel where the black dial looked distinctively smaller on my wrist.

Surprisingly the SD43 carried well on my wrist without looking obnoxiously large. The SA & I felt that I could carry it off and was better suited than the SubC. It was more the depth that was more the bling, than the width. The DSSD JC OTOH was just too large for my wrist.

Best to try at the AD and compare.