SD43 Mark I dial officially discontinued!

[rambo99]

just saw grey dealer already specify their SD43 as mark 1 in order to command a higher premium.

photo

[Sublovin]

What if there is a “mark 3” that hits the market in less than 3 years, making “mark 2” more rare than “mark 1”.
All this speculation is funny. The watch was made with that dial for 3 years! It isn’t an anniversary only piece, and it isn’t rare

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Another way to look at it is a MkII dial guarantees it was not produced in the 50th anniversary year; conversely, a MkI dial leaves open the possibility it could have been produced in the 50th anniversary year, even if it's not an outright guarantee. Actual production dates aside, if collectors come to view the MkI dial as the "true" 50th anniversary edition, that's what counts in terms of collectibility. Also, if the SD43 has a long, successful run, and assuming the MkII dial remains on the model for the remainder of that run, eventually there will have been many more MkII dials produced than MkI. We're just not through the distribution transition yet. Those factors could make the difference to collectors down the road, but there is of course no way to know at this point.

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

My thoughts as well. I have no skin in the game, but just observationally, I don't see why a dial variant associated with the 50th anniversary of this diver being highly sought down the road is any more laughable than a flat four on a green aluminum bezel being the hot ticket must have seemed in the early years of the LV.

Here's a TRF conversation from ten years ago about the LV that sounds a lot like the one we're having now. The main difference is it took people about six or seven years to catch on that the flat four was the ticket. We are now so attuned to these things, we're on it the moment it happens.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=138831

A couple of thoughtful insights here

[JLUK]

As a ‘Mk 1’ owner, I find the push by other owners to talk up the value of their watch remarkable. Even more so when other ‘Mk1’ owners attempt to further define a production niche and say the only ‘real’ 50th anniversary SD43, even with a Mk 1 dial have to be made/purchased/registered in 2017.

I suspect at the scale of production the SD43 will enjoy - with perhaps further tweaks to the dial over the production run, the differences will result in little more than a talking point, and won’t be a major factor in value.

[myusernamez]

I used mine in a hot tub and it's now pink-red'ish gold - does that command a premium also?

For you guys, everything seems to matter as long as the watch you have purchased (as an investment) rises in price - pretty biased opinions so far.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Pete17

A “true 50th” is one made in 2017.
The mk1 dial is no solid indication of this.
I would rely more on the original warranty card.

Comparing this with the 2003 LV Sub is a mistake imho. That watch was easier to nail down to a 2003 model due to the serial # range and first bezel.

For what it’s worth some mk2 DRSD models are worth way more than the mk1 version due to how the dial aged.

The latest SD50s seem to have the red text popping a little more. A little more vivid in natural sunlight.

The SD50 is an enjoyable watch whichever year you bought it. Superb watch

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I think the red "pop" is just a trick of the lighting

My September 2017 SD43 is pretty vivid in the right light

[MCOSUB]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I think the red "pop" is just a trick of the lighting

My September 2017 SD43 is pretty vivid in the right light

Great pic! I find it to be one of my watches I catch myself staring at all the time.

[Rosex]

I chose the MK1 over a MKII, just because I think its a better investment for my son to sell one day, so there you go it does make a difference, even if it's just me.

[Rosex]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

What if there is a “mark 3” that hits the market in less than 3 years, making “mark 2” more rare than “mark 1”.
All this speculation is funny. The watch was made with that dial for 3 years! It isn’t an anniversary only piece, and it isn’t rare

The MKIII will be without the red lettering, boooom! Get in while you still can.

[fel2718]

I paid a slight premium over retail to get a MK1 dated 07/18 over buying a new MK2 from AD. Will it matter? Who knows, but for me I think it's cool to have the first dial variation of an anniversary piece. I won't be selling it, so the monetary value is negligent..this one's a keeper!

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by fel2718

I paid a slight premium over retail to get a MK1 dated 07/18 over buying a new MK2 from AD. Will it matter? Who knows, but for me I think it's cool to have the first dial variation of an anniversary piece. I won't be selling it, so the monetary value is negligent..this one's a keeper!

I think that was smart. Everyone can say they do not believe there will be any value in having a MKI dial, but it has value to me. I have a 2017 MKI. I have a Flat 4 Kermit as well. I like true anniversary year watches. Not just because they will appreciate more (or won't), but because it means something to me as a modest collector.

I strongly suspect if the SD43 remains popular that the MKI dial will be worth a significant premium, but nobody really knows. Guess we will find out in 10 years or so.

[fel2718]

Originally Posted by Swaye

I think that was smart. Everyone can say they do not believe there will be any value in having a MKI dial, but it has value to me. I have a 2017 MKI. I have a Flat 4 Kermit as well. I like true anniversary year watches. Not just because they will appreciate more (or won't), but because it means something to me as a modest collector.

I strongly suspect if the SD43 remains popular that the MKI dial will be worth a significant premium, but nobody really knows. Guess we will find out in 10 years or so.

I couldn't agree more. I like the idea of it for a part of my collection, not for the possibility of making some $$$. I do think there will be quite a few people who feel this way so it could create a price rise. Most of the recent SD43s that have been available have been MK2 so the MK1's could be drying up a bit.

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by fel2718

I couldn't agree more. I like the idea of it for a part of my collection, not for the possibility of making some $$$. I do think there will be quite a few people who feel this way so it could create a price rise. Most of the recent SD43s that have been available have been MK2 so the MK1's could be drying up a bit.

I think people really love their SD43s and so when they get them they are not flipped a ton. Especially first year versions.

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by Dusko.Popov

“Part” of 2018 huh? Someone on this forum had an incoming new from an ad last week that was an mk1. That’s the second or third mk1 dial incoming on this forum this year (2019) that I can recall.

It’s 2019, chief.

That dial has been produced/distributed for full two years now. April, 2017 they were incoming. All of 2018. And now 2019.

Not sure if you were collecting the earlier part of the century but y-serial 16610lvs we’re gone in 03 and f-serial (like mine) were all but gone by early 04. And that’s when they would arrive and sit in cases for months unappreciated by buyers.

Mk1 126600 dials are still be received by Ads into 2019.


Received.

So, in truth, the mk1 celebrates the 50th, 51st and 52nd anniversary of the Sea Dweller.

Woohoo. Congrats!

Mk1 126600 and y/f-serial 16610lv don’t share anything close to the same experience.

AD’s have been known to keep ss in safes for some time......how is that?

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

Give it a decade, you can sell it and buy a nice house

This is a Rolex forum! There aren’t so many parts to a watch that people can talk about. Yes, there is some excitement in the tones of some MK1 owners, but these are intelligent and practical people who know that these nuances won’t net them significant amount of money, but the idea of exclusivity in their mind is good enough. The general public does not need to know this. The fact that they can afford this Rolex goes to say a lot about their investment choices in others parts of their lives. So there is no need for sarcasm!

[rlx123]

Since Rolex is very secretive about their intentions or motivations for their changes in dials, designs, fonts...etc, we can only speculate. Let me propose a hypothetical situation where Rolex publicly admits that the dial without the crown is in fact their official 50th anniversary model. How is that going to change some the skeptics? Or no change at all.

[zjd168]

To consumers there is no difference. To collectors it is quite significant. The SD43 was not my most favorite in my collection, however after the introduction of MK2, it joined my other keepers.

[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

This is a Rolex forum! There aren’t so many parts to a watch that people can talk about. Yes, there is some excitement in the tones of some MK1 owners, but these are intelligent and practical people who know that these nuances won’t net them significant amount of money, but the idea of exclusivity in their mind is good enough. The general public does not need to know this. The fact that they can afford this Rolex goes to say a lot about their investment choices in others parts of their lives. So there is no need for sarcasm!

Did you read the post I was responding too? It was all in good fun as evidenced by the post I quoted which was asking if there were any takers for a 2000% price increase.



As to whether or not these nuances net them a significant amount of money, honestly you never know what will happen which I also referred to in another post in this thread re: the flat four kermit value.


And yes, I know it's a Rolex forum. Thanks!

[Kpaul]

Hi all
I ordered from an authorised official dealer in Brussels my SD43 2 months ago and just got it !!
I want to mention my dial is MKI and my serial number starts with Pxxxxx

[Roli4life]

Originally Posted by Kpaul

Hi all

I ordered from an authorised official dealer in Brussels my SD43 2 months ago and just got it !!

I want to mention my dial is MKI and my serial number starts with Pxxxxx

Congrats.
Looks like some are already catching on and demanding a premium for MK1 over the current models.

[inadeje]

I bought mine from addy616 from the above post - mark II, great seller and great watch

[hauvtoj]

How many of us are going to be alive in 10 years? Just enjoy your watch while you still can.

[toolr]

Ughhh...

[Boo-E]

I was just thinking about value on MK1 Vs MK2

[ronricks]

Mark I's are not worth anymore than a Mark II. It is internet hype for something that really doesn't even exist to 98% of people.

[Pol1]

Originally Posted by Kpaul

Hi all
I ordered from an authorised official dealer in Brussels my SD43 2 months ago and just got it !!
I want to mention my dial is MKI and my serial number starts with Pxxxxx

Hall of Time Brussels is my normal dealer also. First I bought the Batman and 6 months later the Hulk.
September last year on a trip to Monaco I found a SD 43 Red in the Zegg&Cerlatti official dealer shop. It already had the crown underneath, a bonus my opiniuim...

[FATO]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I bought mine from addy616 from the above post - mark II, great seller and great watch

OMG, don’t jump. You’ll get your ss Daytona soon!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Smarties]

I bought my Mk1 at the time when both versions were sold at the same price. I would choose Mk1 even with a slight premium. Period!

I have no intention to sell my watch. In fact, every single watch I bought is a keeper.

[Chester01]

Lol. Good luck with that.

[mistercoach32]

I had the choice of purchasing an MK1 for $14k from a trusted seller or an MK2 from my AD for $11,350. I chose the latter and couldn't be happier. I'm not planning on selling it. That being said, I'd suspect the red line won't be around forever so I think they'll both command a premium at some point if that matters to someone.