Sd43 or submariner date

[Matt129]

With your wrist size you should be able to handle the S43 as a daily. I think they are the best sport watch Rolex is making right now.

[Frits1980]

No brainer, sub. Sd43 is a short sleeves watch only

[franktehtank]

I just went through this conundrum in my own collection, except with a 114060 SubC. My two cents below:

I had the SD43, bought the no date sub, then lived with both for about a month. The SD43 looks incredible and is an extremely cool watch, but as a daily it was slightly too bulky and heavy for me. The sub is just more versatile and more comfortable IMHO.

I would have kept both as a rotation, but I prefer to have a small collection and there ended up being too much overlap for me in the two watches, visually. I sold the SD43 a few days ago. My wrist is about 7.5" btw.

YMMV.

[teabags001]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

I just went through this conundrum in my own collection, except with a 114060 SubC. My two cents below:

I had the SD43, bought the no date sub, then lived with both for about a month. The SD43 looks incredible and is an extremely cool watch, but as a daily it was slightly too bulky and heavy for me. The sub is just more versatile and more comfortable IMHO.

I would have kept both as a rotation, but I prefer to have a small collection and there ended up being too much overlap for me in the two watches, visually. I sold the SD43 a few days ago. My wrist is about 7.5" btw.

YMMV.

Do you have a pic of the sub on wrist? Thanks


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[teabags001]

Originally Posted by Frits1980

No brainer, sub. Sd43 is a short sleeves watch only

Kind of my reservation for sure.


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[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by teabags001

Do you have a pic of the sub on wrist? Thanks


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So, uploading photos on this is kind of a pain. But here you go. Sorry for the low res but it wouldn't let me upload anything larger.

[Rori]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

So, uploading photos on this is kind of a pain. But here you go. Sorry for the low res but it wouldn't let me upload anything larger.

SD43 looks smaller

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by Rori

SD43 looks smaller

I guess the magic (or curse, depending how you look at it) of the supercase!

[SilverKast]

I have a 7.5" wrist as well and owned the SD43 and currently the 114060. I loved the look of the SD43 and found the size and fit wasn't an issue for me at all.

What I did dislike was the weight of the SD43. It was noticeable on my wrist to the point where it annoyed me. I prefer the weight of the 114060 as it isn't noticeable like the SD43 was.

Both are great watches, but for me the SD43 wasn't a good choice as my daily driver. Maybe as something to wear as a change up would work. Maybe I'll get another one and get back to you later lol.

[alphadweller]

To the OP, I think your 7.5in wrist would probably look better with the SD43 especially if it's flat. Also, I find the 126600 to be a more handsome watch than the 116610LN. The $2,500 price difference is well worth it IMHO.

I realise the Sub has a larger fan club and the SD43 is controversial. If that makes you sleep better, get the Sub. Else you probably already know which watch is superior in all respects and addresses the deficiencies of its sibling.

I didn't hesitate when faced with the same choice 3 years ago.

Originally Posted by Frits1980

No brainer, sub. Sd43 is a short sleeves watch only

And yet its fliplock extension is designed to fit over a long sleeve wetsuit :-).

[atn_uk]

I have the same sized wrists as you, and until recently owned both the Sub and the SD43.

I sold my Sub - as I was never wearing it.

SD43, for me, is much better - bigger dial, more wrist presence, all round better proportions.

I do not find it an issue regarding the height when wearing a shirt or sweater, though you would for sure have an issue if you wear these tight, which I don't.

The one thing I would also recommend is to have the diver's extension removed when getting the bracelet sized. It is quite a bit of metal, and for me (and many others) I found it to make the watch uncomfortable to wear, albeit the extension is a cool device. But you still get the sub-like quick size extension on the clasp, and I personally did not find the divers extension would or could ever be used, as it is really meant for when wearing a scuba outfit, so the extension is way to big, so you'll leave it closed all the time anyway. Unless you want to wear it over your shirt/jacket, I guess!

Oh, and by the way, I have the type 1 dial, and my warranty card/date of purchase was February 2019.

[ferrissteve11]

New SD43 has better lug proportions too, less 'square and blockish' looking.

[lcs77]

Why you not looking for sd4k 116600? I think this one perfect for 1 watch collection.

[lcs77]

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[EconTigerOrange]

I really don’t get the weight issue that some mention as I don’t even notice it at all. I guess it’s just different for each individual. I’m just a desk jockey, so maybe that’s why.

[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by lcs77

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The 116600 is the true contender of the 126600. I still prefer the latter by a small margin. Had I not been able to score the SD43, I would have hunted the SD4K despite its little quirks.

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by EconTigerOrange

I really don’t get the weight issue that some mention as I don’t even notice it at all. I guess it’s just different for each individual. I’m just a desk jockey, so maybe that’s why.

It's really not that heavy. Just heavy compared to the submariner. I weighed mine at around 185 grams, without the divers extension and sized for my wrist. I think even the new Omega SM300m is around 180 grams give or take a link or two.

The SD43 really isn't a huge heavy watch by today's standards, especially considering the 4K ft dive rating.

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by lcs77

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It's a bit silly, but the end links on the SD4K would drive me crazy. They don't fit!

Other than that, fantastic watch IMO.

[teabags001]

Originally Posted by SilverKast

I have a 7.5" wrist as well and owned the SD43 and currently the 114060. I loved the look of the SD43 and found the size and fit wasn't an issue for me at all.

What I did dislike was the weight of the SD43. It was noticeable on my wrist to the point where it annoyed me. I prefer the weight of the 114060 as it isn't noticeable like the SD43 was.

Both are great watches, but for me the SD43 wasn't a good choice as my daily driver. Maybe as something to wear as a change up would work. Maybe I'll get another one and get back to you later lol.

I read if you remove the divers extension it makes the watch 180 grams. Also makes the watch for better. Did the height of it bother you at all.


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[teabags001]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

So, uploading photos on this is kind of a pain. But here you go. Sorry for the low res but it wouldn't let me upload anything larger.

Thank you. Is the height noticeable? Could you wear under cuff if needed? I actually like the way the sub looks when dressed business casual.


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[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by teabags001

Thank you. Is the height noticeable? Could you wear under cuff if needed? I actually like the way the sub looks when dressed business casual.


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If you wear a tight modern shirt cuff, you might have issues fitting the SD43 but it's really not bad height wise. The case is designed so it melts into the wrist. Whereas a watch like the Pelagos, which is designed much blockier, wears thicker even though it's actually thinner dimensionally. The SD43 is definitely noticeably thicker than the submariner on the wrist.

The submariner IMO works better with dress shirts/business casual. It really is an incredibly versatile watch.

They're both so great, I have a hard time recommending one over the other, but for me and where I want my collection to go, the sub was the choice. If I had all the money in the world, I'd have them both, along with about 20 other watches

[Gimoozaabi]

The SD43, no contest for me.

[doramas]

For me the Sea Dweller doesn't make sense and the essence of the model ended up with the 116600, the last model with the classic SD design.

For daily use the Submariner is infinitely more comfortable and also a more logical purchase.

[Roddypeepa]

I think everyday bloke buys a sub as more wearable, cheaper, indistinguishable at glance to almost all, more comfortable. But enthusiast buys SD. if I was offered both black dial at retail I’d take SD. If hulk I’d take that for current resale value. On secondary market bluesy. But all great options.


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[Ec2016]

Even with big wrists, prefer the sub date. The SD43 wore much clunkier to me. The proportions felt a little off.

The sub date is much sleeker.

[Rocco21]

I just love the sea dweller so I’m posting again.Ive had around 25 subs and never was happy with any of them,once I got the sd43 I was finally happy.the size is amazing and it’s very symmetrical for its size.Wrist presence like no other except gold.The red lettering and minute markers on bezel and matte dial just do it for me.

Anyways subs are great but I’m going sea dweller for the win.

[kostal2093]

SD43 - no doubt whatsoever. After you wear one for a while, there is nothing to compare to it.

[jhd29]

SD43 all day. It’s bigger all over. The older Sea-Dwellers were more thick compared to the perfect size of the newer 43mm. Just my 2 cents. (Plus, I opted for the SD43 and I have a 7.5-7.75 inch wrist)

[teabags001]

Thanks guys I’m really leaning towards the SD43. This is an older DJll I don’t wear at all that I will be using towards the transaction. It’s a true 41mm watch for reference. I don’t consider it thick but I know the SD43 is about 20 percent thicker. I have also asked to have the divers extension removed. Does having it removed make it wear better? I don’t want a top heavy watch that I will bump into everything.


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[genkifd]

I have a SD43 on my 7" wrist if fits great. the weight thing actually is noticeable but i rather like the extra heft. when im wearing the SD43 i dont need to double check which watch is on my wrist.

ive attend a few formal events with my SD43 and fits under the cuff rather pleasantly.