Rolex SD 43 problems-discomfort

[martyjanderson]

Hi

I bought a SD 43 about 5 or 6 weeks ago. Love the watch and Im used to much larger watches. Have a Breitling Seawolf (45mm, 55.5 and 18 +) and an Omega SM Chronograph.

While those are much bigger and thicker watches I find both to be far more comfortable than the SD 43.

I love the look and presence of the SD 43 but have found that the very rounded caseback creates a rather uncomfortable "pressure point" after a while since the watch needs to be worn quite tight as the bracelet is inadequate (too tapered and thin for a top heavy watch). If it werent for the wobbly caseback I wouldnnt need to tighten it so much but combined with it being top heavy it needs to be much tighter. The Omega bracelet is a far better braclet and makes the SD 43 one feel fragile in comparison.

Im thinking of traiding it and getting a submariner Date. Has anyone else had this issue? or heard of it? I have an older breitling superocean 42 that is about same thickeness and weight and its the most comfortable watch Ive ever worn.

Trying a watch on for 5 minutes at the store really doesnt tell you too much as far as extended wear. The novelty and excitement also clouding ones judgement. Just worried I might find the Sub to not have enough wrist preseence. I have tried on the sub but like the sd 43 only for five minutes.

[Akacoke]

You are describing the exact problem me amongst other SD43 owners are dealing with. The watch is gorgeous much better look then the whole entire submariner line. But for a lot of us it wears very uncomfortable. With the case back pressure point, because you have to have it tight due to the sheer top heaviness. The submariner just doesn't do it for me when I already have the SD43. I ended up buying a black Tudor FXD as my alternative to the SD43. I still own both and wear both of them.

[omar10213245]

I own an SD43 and I honestly have never felt that discomfort that so many folks speak of, when I wear mine. Then again, I have 8.25" wrists, so I dunno.

[Wilco68]

Originally Posted by omar10213245

I own an SD43 and I honestly have never felt that discomfort that so many folks speak of, when I wear mine. Then again, I have 8.25" wrists, so I dunno.

Same here - literally no discomfort at all with my SD43. I have an 8 inch wrist.

Feels great & looks epic!

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Wilco68

Same here - literally no discomfort at all with my SD43. I have an 8 inch wrist.

Feels great & looks epic!

Ditto; 7.1" wrist.

[RolexBHR]

I had the same issue, I guess with some wrists a bulbous case back causes discomfort. I faced the same problem as well with an apple watch.

[waterman1]

Ah..the well documented and much debated SD43 discomfort issue. You will find countless threads about this issue.
It is why I wear the much larger and heavier, yet in my opinion the more comfortable DSSD, and don’t wear my SD43 that often.

[brandrea]

Sorry to hear OP.

Same thing for me. I’ve owned it twice but finally had to realize it wasn’t for me. Shame because I think it’s the most beautiful diver in the catalogue

[Harry-57]

I avoided an expensive mistake by trying one on. There's no way of telling what the wearing comfort will feel like until you meet it in person, particularly watches that wear big or stand tall on your wrist.

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I avoided an expensive mistake by trying one on. There's no way of telling what the wearing comfort will feel like until you meet it in person, particularly watches that wear big or stand tall on your wrist.

very true, particularly your point about a watching "standing tall" on the wrist. that's why i had to sell my omega speedmaster moonphase 9904 a few years back; absolutely adored the watch, looked amazing, but with that box crystal, it was so top heavy it felt like i had a pontoon boat on my wrist. it would just sway whichever way my momentum carried it, and i didn't want to have to wear the bracelet super-tight, so sadly, i had to send it on its way.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by omar10213245

very true, particularly your point about a watching "standing tall" on the wrist. that's why i had to sell my omega speedmaster moonphase 9904 a few years back; absolutely adored the watch, looked amazing, but with that box crystal, it was so top heavy it felt like i had a pontoon boat on my wrist. it would just sway whichever way my momentum carried it, and i didn't want to have to wear the bracelet super-tight, so sadly, i had to send it on its way.

I sold the same watch, but blue dial. To me the bracelet was really uncomfortable, and yes it's crazy thick 17mm+. I don't have the bracelet discomfort with the SD. Rolex makes the best bracelets in the biz IMO. It's a shame because I really thought it was a beautiful watch. The size, comfort, and poor legibility of the subdials eventually forced me to move it on

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by samson66

I sold the same watch, but blue dial. To me the bracelet was really uncomfortable, and yes it's crazy thick 17mm+. I don't have the bracelet discomfort with the SD. Rolex makes the best bracelets in the biz IMO. It's a shame because I really thought it was a beautiful watch. The size, comfort, and poor legibility of the subdials eventually forced me to move it on

yep, that bracelet on the 9904 didn't do the watch any favors, and it's a shame, because it has the potential to really be Omega's "premier" watch, if they refine it a bit further...that moonphase is amazing to look at, that's what initially pulled me in and convinced me to buy it lol.

[usmc_k9_vet]

Originally Posted by omar10213245

yep, that bracelet on the 9904 didn't do the watch any favors, and it's a shame, because it has the potential to really be Omega's "premier" watch, if they refine it a bit further...that moonphase is amazing to look at, that's what initially pulled me in and convinced me to buy it lol.

Try the ceramic on leather strap. Excellent watch and cuts down on the weight. I have a 6.75” wrist and find this watch extremely comfortable.




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[1st amg]

It is the best-looking diver of the bunch. But after owning it for about 5 years, and most of the time it would be sitting in the box due to how uncomfortable it was. I ended up selling it. Too bad, because it is stunning to look at. I just found it was cumbersome to wear.
I bought the new sub date and it was the best move for me to have a very very comfortable wearing diver.

[1William]

I just traded out of my SD43. I own the Submariner ND 124060 and numerous Pelagos watches. No issue with wear, I just did not wear it vey much. I have a 7.5-7.75 inch wrist and always thought of it as a Submariner for someone with a larger wrist. Prices have tanked on these and when it hits a point that I find more than reasonable I might buy one back.

[MattGMT]

I regularly ask myself if my SD43 is to big... I then go try on a Sub and a Sub feels so plain-- I have 7 3/4" wrist and the watch is perfectly comfortable for me. The SD43 does have more heft than my VTNR and ExpII but that's something I like about it! the SD43 still gets the most wrist time of the three.

[samson66]

Prepare yourself for a six page thread...

Short version - some folks find them uncomfortable on the wrist due to the protruding case back, while others like me have never had an issue.

You wouldn't be the first to make the swap over to a Sub

[daysky1]

Originally Posted by samson66

Prepare yourself for a six page thread...

Short version - some folks find them uncomfortable on the wrist due to the protruding case back, while others like me have never had an issue.

You wouldn't be the first to make the swap over to a Sub

For some reason I've never noticed a protruding case back I've just considered a rubber B because I like rubber B not because I don't like the bracelet that my deep sea is on huh. it feels just fine on the bracelet to me but to switch things up i may go with a rubber b or an Everest I've never had an Everest strap so if anyone out there has had one and can give me some feedback on it I'd appreciate that i know rubber B is top quality.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by daysky1

For some reason I've never noticed a protruding case back I've just considered a rubber B because I like rubber B not because I don't like the bracelet that my deep sea is on huh. it feels just fine on the bracelet to me but to switch things up i may go with a rubber b or an Everest I've never had an Everest strap so if anyone out there has had one and can give me some feedback on it I'd appreciate that i know rubber B is top quality.

I have the Rubber B strap and it's terrific. Highly recommend. Nice chance of pace and a really good summer alternative. Just make sure you buy the proper sized screwdriver to swap it out. Can't comment on Everest for this particular watch but I think the turned down section of the Rubber B really works on this watch due to the somewhat large lug-to-lug length. The Everest just comes straight out from the lugs which is better for smaller watches IMO.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by samson66

I have the Rubber B strap and it's terrific. Highly recommend. Nice chance of pace and a really good summer alternative. Just make sure you buy the proper sized screwdriver to swap it out. Can't comment on Everest for this particular watch but I think the turned down section of the Rubber B really works on this watch due to the somewhat large lug-to-lug length. The Everest just comes straight out from the lugs which is better for smaller watches IMO.

Looks fantastic my friend.

Rolex should get with the times and offer rubber straps for their divers IMHO

[hojlund]

I wear my SD43 daily, no problem for me.

[Roger Lococco]

Beautiful watch. Incredibly uncomfortable. Sold it.


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[EndlessEight]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

Beautiful watch. Incredibly uncomfortable. Sold it.


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Unfortunately, same for me.

[hutch300]

I'd trade out for a 40mm SD either pre ceramic or not. Both exist :)

I think in your heart you know you won't enjoy this watch and that is okay. It happens.

[Gebbeth]

I haven't had any pressure point issues with my SD43. I love this watch.

But I don't wear the watch tight to my wrist. In fact, I don't do that with any of my watches with bracelets. I don't like tight metal around my wrist.

And I also have not had to wear it tight because of the weight of the case/watch itself. It's really not been a problem for me with respect to balance and feel.

Now I've had problems with the DSSD, but that's a whole other beast.

[martyjanderson]

I bought the SD 43 from trusted seller here, and ended up doing a trade with the SD 43 and Breitling Avenger Seawolf, which I wore rarely and only out of guilt for an 5 month old Sub Date in mint condition.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by martyjanderson

I bought the SD 43 from trusted seller here, and ended up doing a trade with the SD 43 and Breitling Avenger Seawolf, which I wore rarely and only out of guilt for an 5 month old Sub Date in mint condition.

I missed this. Well done! Congrats!


Just another WIS who loves to trade.
@bladeandwatch1 on IG

[TheHulk]

I sold mine as well. I removed the diver extension hoping that would help but didn’t. Unfortunate bc i loved the look of the watch

[oldsheepdog]

The SD43 is very comfortable on my wrist. The case back doesn’t create any hot spots. I do wear it a bit more snug than my other watches to help with the top heaviness however I feel the weight of the bracelet helps in that department as well. As far as wrist presence it is slightly bolder than my sub. That being said I’ve never felt like I didn’t have “enough” watch on when wearing my sub and often choose it for a bit more refined look.


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[Jake Sully]

Picked up a SD43 in April and traded it for a SD4K in August. Just couldnt warm up to it. For me it always looked too big (7-1/2" wrist) for my wrist and was too top heavy for my liking. Comfort was fine but just couldnt bond with it. The SD4K is a tad bit top heavy but the size is perfect. So far the honeymoon is still in full swing.