Fourtane in Carmel first SD43 with review

[rob]

Ok so let me start with the fact I've been to many AD's and one Rolex boutique in Northern California. All have treated me like they were doing me a favor by speaking to me. I can't stand that about Rolex Dealers. Omega Dealers do not treat their customers like Rolex Dealers do in Nor Cal.

Fourtane's staff never treated me that way, quite the contrary. My first interaction with the staff at Fourtane was with Audrey and Josh. Josh is John Bonifas's (the owner) son. I will never forget it, it was the week of Concourse D' Elegance 2008, and the place was packed. I wondered into the vintage section where both Audrey and Josh made a point speak to me and ask me if I had any questions.

Audrey took out many of their showcase pieces knowing that there was no way I was on the market for one (I told her I wasn't and to help some customers that were looking like they wanted to buy). She said, "Oh just try one on, it's like girls trying on expensive shoes!" So I tried on my grail, Double Red Sea Dweller, Comex Sea Dwellers (yes they had a couple at the time), Red Subs, and many vintage GMT variants. From that day on I frequented Fourtane multiple times a year and come to find out I worked with Kris Bonifas (the owners youngest son) when he was in medical sales, prior to joining the Fourtane team.

They have always made me feel like family and take the time to chat about life, kids, houses, careers, thus forging a relationship that I have now referred many sales where my friends have also come to love the staff at Fourtane.

Fast forward to the first day of Basel 2017. I saw the SD43 release and called Fourtane as soon as they opened and asked Audrey if I could be put on the wait list for this 50th Anniversary Sea Dweller as it'd my 50th birth year, (25th wedding anniversary, as we were married on the beach in Carmel) and my family heritage is from the "Trench." Marianas Trench in both Saipan and Guam, not to mention that I always wanted a Red Sea Dweller.

Well the Rolex, Baselworld Tour stopped by on Friday 19 May 17 (I could not attend the even that Fourtane sent me an invite to), and Audrey gave me a call on the 20th to see if I was interested in picking up the first SD43 that they had for sale. My mouth dropped to the floor! I couldn't believe that they called me to offer the watch! I had the cash so it was a no brainer.

I was finally able to pick it up on the 30th of May due to work commitments and here is my $0.02.

Weight:
(1) The weight difference is very noticeable, to the point you know you have the watch on at all times. I always forgot with my 1675, I guess that's why I always banged it up so much. The GMT II-C and Sub LV, I would know I had it on from time to time.

Bracelet:
(2) The surprising thing is the comfort of the bracelet. I have a 6.5" wrist and I thought the lugs would hang over. They do not, so all of my small wristed brothers and sisters, fear not as it will fit just fine.

I also wanted a James Cameron DSSD but never liked the way it felt top heavy, so this is the perfect watch in balance for me.

The bigger lugs and wider band at the lug/bracelet attachment point hold the watch in place without sloshing the slack back and forth like the DSSD.

Date Magnifier:
(3) The date window is something my aging eyes appreciate along with the bigger face. I do not like that the Sub LV doesn't have the anti-reflective coating on the bubble like my GMT II-C has and Thank God the SD43 has it.

Clasp:
(4) The clasp is more comfortable for me on my wrist than my Sub LV, the radial or thumb side always annoyed me when resting the bracelet on a table or computer. With the SD43 I don't even notice it.

Glidelock Clasp, nothing to say except, I love it! I want to get one for my GMT II-C, and Sub LV now and make the polished center links, matted. This way I'd wear my GMT II-C more.

I'm not big on bling and that's why the GMT II-C doesn't come out of the safe that much and the Sub LV get's most of the time out.

Height:
(5) The ride height is noticeable but not to the point where it would be abnoxious or clothes (cuff) limiting.

It does however protrude out more than my GMT II-C, and Sub LV, and has a commanding presence.

Legibility:
I thought the Maxi-Dials were a great improvement, but the bigger face, hands, all make the dial read less claustrophobic than before. Now that I look at the SD43 vs. my Sub LV and it seems as if LV is very crowded towards 6 o'clock. I never paid attention to it but now with a bigger face, the others stand out when I look at them.

Rotating Bezel:
Call me crazy but I was guessing that the numbers and the minute graduations would be huge and distracting when looking at the pictures on the net. In person they are perfectly scaled and are not even as loud as the Numerals on the GMT II-C, IMHO. Bigger than the Sub but on scale with the larger watch.

Movement/Power Reserve:
I love the 70hr reserve. No need for a winder if you swap, and wear at least once a week and on weekends.

Case Back:
New to me, I love new case back on this model, I never had a Sea Dweller so the engraving is very nice touch. I find it interesting that the non Rolex people that I show the watch to, the first thing they look at is the case back, when I look at the face. and they comment on the weight of the watch.

Crown:
My GMT II-C's crown dug into my wrist until I tightened the bracelet. For some reason, maybe the (raised) bubbled case back acts as a fulcrum, preventing the crown from digging into my wrist. I'm not sure yet but the ting I do know is that it seems to wear the same as far as slack in the bracelet but it doesn't dig in. Hat's off to Rolex!!

Impression:
This is a very nice watch to have as a second watch, maybe a little large as a daily for some. To me, I never wanted a big Panerai as I fear that I would pay for multiple crystal replacements sporting the curved crystals in the medical field could turn out to be disastrous (watch vs. stretcher or gurney).
I love the history of the watch, the history of the acquisition with the Fourtane Family. This watch is very easy on my eyes and symmetrically pleasing while looking at the Red makes me smile, combining the old with the new.

The size is modern and will take some getting use to but a small sacrifice to house a movement with the additional power reserve. Perfectly balanced in weight distribution with the wider band/lugs and longer Glidelock Clasp that rides in the middle of my wrist and not from side to side.

A win/win for me. Will this be my daily? Yes, as I have one daughter in Med School that inherited my GMT 1675, My youngest daughter wants the Sub LV when she graduates from college, and my wife wants the GMT II-C when she graduates from college. This will then leave me with one!!!! For now I will switch out the Sub LV and the SD43.

Thanks Fourtane and thanks for reading!

P.S.

BTW Fourtane has about every sport watch you want in stock, Vintage selection will make you wipe the glass display as you might drool. New selection:James Cameron DSSD, SD40, Batman, too much to list!!! They ship if your looking!