Honest comparison of SD43 and SUB with Pics

[marc2828]

This is just my opinion posted to help others in their decision. I know many people have posted about the comfort issues with the SD43 and I tend to agree. The SD43 is 43mm and 185 grams. The Sub is 41mm and 155 grams.

Some quick background for reference: I have owned my MK1 SD43 since 2018. I have the diver extension removed and have had it properly sized at RSC. I tend to sleep in my watches, especially when traveling. Also, I wear watches a bit loose so they slide around...especially metal bracelets.

I found myself always wanting to take off the SD43 when I got home...just not that comfortable. I feel it is not only the protrusion of the caseback, but the case edge sharpness, the crown rough edges, combined with the top heavy watch head. These attributes are exacerbated because I wear the watch loose.

I recently got the 126610LV Starbucks Submariner. I was always turned off by the smaller Sub size as my collection is 43mm to 49mm. However, at 41mm, the watch still looks good and not to small to my eye.

The top of my flat wrist is about 2.25". As you can see in the pics, the 41mm Sub doesn't look so different from the top than the 43mm SD43. However, the thickness, the flat back, and the 30grams of weight savings is very noticeable.

I am keeping both for now, but will consider swapping the SD43 for something different in the future.

Hope this assessment helps.


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[brandrea]

Hi Marc, nice review and sort of my experience as well.

I have a similar size (and shaped) wrist to yours … 23/8”, 7” circumference and flat.

I too, like to wear my watches with a smidge of play. Not loose, but definitely with an about a finger gap under the clasp. This made for a tricky fit with the SD43. If I wore it snug, tne top heavy aspect went away, but I just never could get used to wearing a watch that way.

The Submariner 41 solved a lot of that for me and aside from the obviously different case proportions, I feel it wears about the same from an over head view.

[Hkspwrsche]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Hi Marc, nice review and sort of my experience as well.

I have a similar size (and shaped) wrist to yours … 23/8”, 7” circumference and flat.

I too, like to wear my watches with a smidge of play. Not loose, but definitely with an about a finger gap under the clasp. This made for a tricky fit with the SD43. If I wore it snug, tne top heavy aspect went away, but I just never could get used to wearing a watch that way.

The Submariner 41 solved a lot of that for me and aside from the obviously different case proportions, I feel it wears about the same from an over head view.

Do you still have your SD43 Brian?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Hkspwrsche

Do you still have your SD43 Brian?

Sadly I let it go a while back (for the second time)

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[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Sadly I let it go a while back (for the second time)

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Well that's just sad.

It's holds some sentiment for me, the last watch (and the only one I have left) purchased from my original AD...wonderful people now sadly out of the Rolex business.

Oddly enough, I have a little smaller wrist than you guys and the darn thing wears just fine. Go figure.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Well that's just sad.



It's holds some sentiment for me, the last watch (and the only one I have left) purchased from my original AD...wonderful people now sadly out of the Rolex business.



Oddly enough, I have a little smaller wrist than you guys and the darn thing wears just fine. Go figure.

Trust me, it was like water torture letting it go ...

I'm STILL second guessing myself

Held alot of sentimental value for me as well. My first special order Rolex and my wonderful AD got it in for me for my 50th birthday.

I decided some time ago, I wanted to get my small collection down to 3 watches that I'll wear and enjoy.

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[travisb]

Nice comparison. I agree on the wearing comfort of the Sub and prefer it overall for a diver.

[amh]

I'd agree w/ OP - Sub is probably more comfy for most people.

I measured my wrist in the same manner, it's apparently 2.5 across the top. (7.5" total.) SD43 totally ok all day and I'm not driven to remove it at sundown.

Sub feels dainty in comparison. I'm not on any wishlists, so that frees up one more slot for the rest of you (ha ha.)

[slide13]

Sub looks really good, looks like a great watch for you.

SD43 is cool but it just looks uncomfortable in that side wrist shot. I'm sure it varies based on the wearers wrist.

[Hkspwrsche]

Originally Posted by marc2828

This is just my opinion posted to help others in their decision. I know many people have posted about the comfort issues with the SD43 and I tend to agree. The SD43 is 43mm and 185 grams. The Sub is 41mm and 155 grams.

Some quick background for reference: I have owned my MK1 SD43 since 2018. I have the diver extension removed and have had it properly sized at RSC. I tend to sleep in my watches, especially when traveling. Also, I wear watches a bit loose so they slide around...especially metal bracelets.

I found myself always wanting to take off the SD43 when I got home...just not that comfortable. I feel it is not only the protrusion of the caseback, but the case edge sharpness, the crown rough edges, combined with the top heavy watch head. These attributes are exacerbated because I wear the watch loose.

I recently got the 126610LV Starbucks Submariner. I was always turned off by the smaller Sub size as my collection is 43mm to 49mm. However, at 41mm, the watch still looks good and not to small to my eye.

The top of my flat wrist is about 2.25". As you can see in the pics, the 41mm Sub doesn't look so different from the top than the 43mm SD43. However, the thickness, the flat back, and the 30grams of weight savings is very noticeable.

I am keeping both for now, but will consider swapping the SD43 for something different in the future.

Hope this assessment helps.


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I had the exact same experience with my deep sea. Traveling I always wear it to sleep in case the fire alarm goes off or something. I realized that the 40-41 flatter watches were easier to travel with because of that problem. My wrist needed a break when I got home from the hotels.

[marc2828]

Two more comparion shots with watches sliding back.

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[amh]

Some of this depends on wrist shape. For me the SD43 rides flat enough. (Wrist is not 'round')

[Agamemnon]

I also have the two watches mentioned and a medium wrist.
It is true that the Sub is more comfortable and versatile, but they are completely different watches even if aesthetically similar.
I feel a lot of pleasure wearing my SD43 and I don't notice the significant increase in weight or the different wearability.
That said, I would never let go of either the Sub or the SD43.

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by Agamemnon

I also have the two watches mentioned and a medium wrist.
It is true that the Sub is more comfortable and versatile, but they are completely different watches even if aesthetically similar.
I feel a lot of pleasure wearing my SD43 and I don't notice the significant increase in weight or the different wearability.
That said, I would never let go of either the Sub or the SD43.

your pics are better than mine. Nice. I will hold both for now...wife bought me SD43 50th Anniv for my 50th birthday. So probably gonna stay in collection.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by marc2828

your pics are better than mine. Nice. I will hold both for now...wife bought me SD43 50th Anniv for my 50th birthday. So probably gonna stay in collection.

Thanks for the appreciation! You made the right choice, also to honor your wife.

[Toproll85]

There is always this debate, but I would say that there are as many opinions as there are people !
You just have to put it on, it's as simple as that, and judge personally...

If you're lucky enough to have the wrist made for it, the SD43 is so much "more" than a Sub.

[Michael1968]

Personally I like Sub more

[APPRF]

The SD43 looks much nicer than the Starbucks in my opinion.

[LC23]

to each their own

[B2 Stealth]

SD43 is one of my most comfortable watches and I own a Submariner too.

[PBJ1925]

Personal experience only, I always found:

Sub > DSSD > SD43 in ranking order of comfort.

[OSU1989]

Nice. I was choosing between the SD43 and ND and went with the ND. What is the 49mm watch in your collection…?

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by OSU1989

Nice. I was choosing between the SD43 and ND and went with the ND. What is the 49mm watch in your collection…?

1969 Breilting Chronomatic.

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[St_Andrews]

Hello everyone - I don't often comment and hope I'm doing it right, and that it displays in the right order - a word of thanks for all sharing this information and images. It's very helpful when considering what fits and looks best before pursing in person. I wear a DeepSea Sea-Dweller almost daily. Beautiful references, all.

[surfpops]

Coincidently, I have both the SD43 & the LV Sub (just got the call couple days ago)!

Very similar wrist size as OP, too.

I do (slightly) prefer the SD43 for it's wrist presence and the fact that it's less popular than the Sub.

That said, I've got a decision to make...��

[Subfiend]

I have the SD 43 and I don't love its size. I would swap it for a SS Sub in a heartbeat.

[1William]

I own both the SD43 and a Submariner. Both are great watches but with a 7.5-7.75 inch wrist the SD43, for me, is a Submariner for a larger wrist. Properly sized it wears very nice. I would find it difficult to ever put down a Submariner as that is the one I started with years ago and believe it is an Icon.

[Wilco68]

The SD43 certainly looks a more impressive piece. Sounds like the comfort of a watch that size may be an individual preference.

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by Wilco68

The SD43 certainly looks a more impressive piece. Sounds like the comfort of a watch that size may be an individual preference.

I agree, but I wish Rolex would make a flat and light 44mm "SeaMariner"...yes, I made that name up. No one needs a watch to go so deep. The Deepsea Challenge is just silly.

[amh]

Originally Posted by marc2828

I agree, but I wish Rolex would make a flat and light 44mm "SeaMariner"...yes, I made that name up. No one needs a watch to go so deep. The Deepsea Challenge is just silly.

In a way they already do. It's the YM Ti 42mm. However you'll get a completely blacked out bezel plus a very matte case material.