Heartbreak with SD43

[rudestew]

Probably right on the limit with the SD but saying that you have a great selection at 7” , I’m 8” plus and would love an explorer , still you give it a go , I know what your saying with sizing I removed the extension and half link and added a full link to find the sweet spot

[Wcdhtwn]

Replace the links you took off. Remove divers extension. Re-evaluate other links you need to remove, if any. The Extention is for wear over a wet suit. If you are not wearing a wet suit it is not needed and will not fit comfortably no matter how many oyster links you remove/adjust.

My wrist is 7 something, haven't measured it, and the only link I had removed was the extension. It fits perfectly with the glide lock extended 3 or 4 notches.

[samson66]

Don't give up on it yet. At 7" you should be able to pull it off easily. Could be a touch of buyers remorse and you may feel differently in a week or two. It does take some getting used to only because Rolex has gotten us used to 40m sports models, but give it a few more tries...

[samson66]

...and to echo everyone else's comments - take the divers extension off for sure. It was the first thing I did. Then move the links so you end up with (best guess for your wrist) 4 links on the 6 o'clock side and 5 links on the 12 o'clock size. Remove the half link most likely. I'm at 5.5 at 12 and 4 at 6 but my wrist is about a 1/2" bigger than yours. Good luck - again try it a little longer if you can.

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by Rahllo

So after waiting 6 months to get my hands on my first new Rolex (normally a vintage Sub guy) it finally arrived, a brand spanking new SD43. After trying every micro adjustment and combination of number of link etc, I have come to the decision that it's just not comfortable for me. It is a seriously beautiful watch, but for my 7 inch wrist it just seems too heavy and not ideal for the daily watch that I was hoping for. I guess its back to Vintage for me. Sometimes you gotta know when to fold em.

I have my 44mm D-blue on today. I did not even notice it till I read your posting. I rotate between 40mm GMT, 42mm Sky-D. I have 6.5" wrist. It is not too big. Like others said, try removing the diver extension link. That might help.

[TimeToWatch]

Call it a day and get the SD4K instead. Better dimensions for a slender wrist and better prospects to become a collectible.

[dr35mm]

Go for a Submariner. I had size issues with the SD43 and went for the sub, have never looked back.

[Ignace Worang]

I have 7" wrist as well....try nato..it will scale down the watch

[tac34vt]

Originally Posted by Rahllo

So after waiting 6 months to get my hands on my first new Rolex (normally a vintage Sub guy) it finally arrived, a brand spanking new SD43. After trying every micro adjustment and combination of number of link etc, I have come to the decision that it's just not comfortable for me. It is a seriously beautiful watch, but for my 7 inch wrist it just seems too heavy and not ideal for the daily watch that I was hoping for. I guess its back to Vintage for me. Sometimes you gotta know when to fold em.

Sent you a PM.

[AK797]

Good advice from the guys, also spend an afternoon at ADs trying on gold and platinum and then when you go back to your SD43 at the end of the day it will feel completely different... just like a vintage I'd say.

[Tebow15]

Give it time! Don’t be hasty and make a mistake


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[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Rahllo

So after waiting 6 months to get my hands on my first new Rolex (normally a vintage Sub guy) it finally arrived, a brand spanking new SD43. After trying every micro adjustment and combination of number of link etc, I have come to the decision that it's just not comfortable for me. It is a seriously beautiful watch, but for my 7 inch wrist it just seems too heavy and not ideal for the daily watch that I was hoping for. I guess its back to Vintage for me. Sometimes you gotta know when to fold em.

From a vintage Sub to SD43 is a huge jump. If you like a SubC, that would have been welcome change, you aimed too high with SD43!!

PS: Can you add a pic or two of SD43 on your wrist?

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by cfjan

What's the reason for diver extension removal? So it doesn't stick out of the clasp by that 0.25" or so?? Or?

It's effectively two links long and as it doesn't bend in the middle (the way two liks would) it stops the bracelet curving around the wrist as well, making it less comfortable to wear (and harder to get a good bracelet fit)

[dhknola]

I lusted after that watch upon it's release...was coming back from vacation and tried it on in the Panama airport and felt like a hockey puck on my relatively small wrist and fell out of love. Hope it works for you though! For whatever it is worth, if you get 'lucky' and they don't do that watch again this year, you can flip for vintage 1680

[Rahllo]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll give it a few more days and try a few more bracelet link combos. I took the diver extension off almost immediately after buying the watch which helped a lot but still not sure that it's going to work. I have to say I really appreciate all the support with a difficult decision. I sold my 1970 5513 last year to buy this thing and the idea of going back out into the vintage market is not too exciting a prospect, so if I can make this work I'll be happy. I'm sort of hoping that if I just can't connect with it that I can trade it for a vintage Sub...no uncertainty that I can pull off an old Sub on my 7' wrist!
Thanks again guys for all the help
Morgan

[Rahllo]

[JacksonStone]

I think it looks great on you. I can't speak to how it feels to you, though.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by Rahllo

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll give it a few more days and try a few more bracelet link combos. I took the diver extension off almost immediately after buying the watch which helped a lot but still not sure that it's going to work. I have to say I really appreciate all the support with a difficult decision. I sold my 1970 5513 last year to buy this thing and the idea of going back out into the vintage market is not too exciting a prospect, so if I can make this work I'll be happy. I'm sort of hoping that if I just can't connect with it that I can trade it for a vintage Sub...no uncertainty that I can pull off an old Sub on my 7' wrist!
Thanks again guys for all the help
Morgan

Wow......that's not one move I would ever endorse (selling off that 5513 for this). You're not going to get that kind of comfort/profile from the SD43...the 5513 just wears so effortlessly and screams vintage class. Hopefully you bond with the SD43 sooner than later.....but coming from a nice 5513 this is going to be on the opposite of the spectrum.

[Pmt2]

I went through the same situation. Way too heavy and big.

[samson66]

Take a few photos with your camera pulled back further from your wrist. Hard to get an idea of fit when the camera is close to the watch.

Originally Posted by Rahllo

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[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by sensui

Wow......that's not one move I would ever endorse (selling off that 5513 for this). You're not going to get that kind of comfort/profile from the SD43...the 5513 just wears so effortlessly and screams vintage class. Hopefully you bond with the SD43 sooner than later.....but coming from a nice 5513 this is going to be on the opposite of the spectrum.

Yeah, big time. Coming from a 5513 to this would be a shock to the wrist. The two watches have almost nothing in common aside from both being Rolex dive watches.

[phillycheez]

I have owned a couple 5513s and currently rock the sd4k.

I was in Tokyo and tried on the SD50... It's a big watch. There's no doubt about it. It wears true to its size at 43mm.

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[kangajack]

Originally Posted by aschneid

Call it a day and get the SD4K instead. Better dimensions for a slender wrist and better prospects to become a collectible.

We’re going to have to wait about 30 years to see which modern references will become more sought after than others. Hopefully we’ll still be around to sort it out


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[crazycarlitos]

Congrats !

A watch is something u either love it at first sight or not, imo

sorry to hear that it’s not comfy.. but u will never get the SD43 to be comfy as the 5513. Lol

Since u already have it in ur hands (and u seem to like the look), give it few more days. U might just have to get used to the weight difference.

If not, u can def sell it and not lose money.

Btw it looks great on u.

[RedLs3]

In all honesty the watch would of been perfect if they left out the cyclops. Cyclops is a datejust and sub thing. Should of kept the heritage. The point of them not having the technology until last year for the crystal is moot, humans dont dive down to 4k feet and they simply cannot... the record btw is alittle over 1000 ft by an egyptian diver. Submarines and test vessels are pressurized so diving that deep is the same as being in a kiddy pool at water park

[amh]

Originally Posted by RedLs3

In all honesty the watch would of been perfect if they left out the cyclops. Cyclops is a datejust and sub thing. Should of kept the heritage. The point of them not having the technology until last year for the crystal is moot, humans dont dive down to 4k feet and they simply cannot... the record btw is alittle over 1000 ft by an egyptian diver. Submarines and test vessels are pressurized so diving that deep is the same as being in a kiddy pool at water park

Bite your tongue! I love the cyclops!

The SD43 is heavy, that's for sure. Lighter watches can be 'forgotten', this one cannot.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by RedLs3

the record btw is alittle over 1000 ft by an egyptian diver.

That's SCUBA diving. Saturation divers can go deeper - down to nearly 2000 feet. But the takeaway is the same: 4K-foot WR is already overkill, to say nothing of the absurd 12.8K feet of the DSSD.

[rudestew]

sits fine

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Rahllo

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Looks fine on you.

[DoctorA]

I was offered aSD43 from my AD but it wasn’t for me! I moved on and never looked back!