For anyone considering the 50th Anniversary SD43 ...

[Devildog]

.. and has smaller wrists, have no fear

The watch wears significantly smaller than many of the pictures seen on here would suggest.

Tried one on today at my AD's Basel release showing. No pics i'm afraid.

IMO, it is the best proportioned Rolex diver since the 4 digit references. No question. On my (admittedly flat) 6.75 inch wrist it wears like a slightly thicker sub. But because of the proportions it looks no bigger when viewed from above.

It is of course slightly thicker, and I'm fortunate that the top of my wrist is slightly concave between my two wrist bones, but the watch sat nicely flat on my wrist. The case back is not as deep in reality as the pictures would suggest. Compared to my sub, the diffrence was very much like going from a 16610 to a 16600.

I'd go so far as to say that it wears much closer to the sub than it does to DSSD despite what the dimensions may otherwise tell you. To a degree, it makes the Sub Date somewhat redundant (cost aside)

Case depth aside, it actually wears smaller than a 42mm Exp2 (which was next on my list but is no longer)

In short - its stunning. I'm on the list already, but when I get the call its a keeper.

Also tried on the WG Daytona on Oysterflex. Beatuful. Nicest of the trio for me and I preferred it to my old RG Daytona on a strap. Very under the radar, however for those with older eyes, clarity isn't not great.

Last ones of interest were the S/S Skydwellers. Very nice pieces and for me the white dial was the pick of the bunch by some margin, its a fantasti reference. The black dial is a strange one. Not gloss, not matt and not flat satin. It appears textured and is almost sunburst but not quite. One to handle before deciding for sure. I liked it.

But despite all that, and had my AD offered me one of the three, as a gift, I'd have taken the SD43 without hesitation.

For me it's a perfect and worthy update to the 16600. Which was probably my favourite of all the Rolex watches I've had previously.

My Ad is hopefull the wait won't be too long. I've told him I'm 50 in October and thats his target timescale. He seems quite confident . I'll may flip the 116613 to help fund the purchase (although that will be a hard one as my Sub is up there for me)

My wife has let slip that she wants to buy me a Chopard Mille Miglia Chrono to mark that milestone. We tried the current 42 mm on at the weekend and I loved it. What makes that even more special is that its her choice of gift to me

I recon that might just be my perfect pair - two diverse wtaches, a chrono and a diver, both have black dials with a small splash of red. Both with significance to me And both wear smaller than their size would suggest on my wrist.

Now I just need to figure out of I can keep my TT sub too

[kilyung]

Y'all are making it hard to be patient until 2018 when I'll pick one up.

[ap1]

Great comments - party foul with no pics though I'm afraid

[joli160]

Nice write up

[dnpina]

I think the SD43 is as small, big or tolerable as the wearer wanted it to be. On my 7 inch wrists, it was just too tall, too thick. Then again, I have no desire to own it. I tried on (and passed on )at a AD event. Like the Daytona, it is not a buy sight unseen watch. My 2¢

[rootbeer7]

Great write-up.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by ap1

Great comments - party foul with no pics though I'm afraid

I know - complete fail

[Stevec14]

Excellent review. I tried it on last week, and my thoughts were a little different to yours. I actually thought it wore more like the deep sea than the sub (mainly a weight thing in my case I think). The height was quite considerable although from above the fit was great, and the lugs didn't hang over my wrist. The height was comparable to me with a pelagos that I owned but couldn't bond with due to getting stuck in front of shirt cuffs.

I do agree though. It's a lovely watch. If I could get over the height of it, I'd love to have one for sure (although the chance of me getting one at rrp is slim). Per dnpina, defo one to try on first for sure.

[ttomczak]

Thanks for the write up, makes it harder than ever now...

[brandrea]

Nice review Scott, and my sentiments exactly regarding the SD43 and the SkyDweller dial colors.

Sounds like we are kindred spirits

[oldman2005]

Good to hear it looks good on smaller wrist too. Hope to get one maybe next year!

[colt_seavers]

I'm interested in getting one here in the UK, but due to collusion between ADs and secondary dealers, it's virtually impossible to get one at RRP.

[Abyss]

I couldn't agree more, its a perfectly balanced piece..

[Jambos5151]

I am 2 weeks in with this piece and think it is fantastic .

[ejvette]

Great write up

[watchwatcher]

Thanks for that...can't wait to see one in the flesh.

[Boaters]

Great write up would have been nice to have some pics but thats okay..

[MCO1]

Great review! I am interested to try it on in the flesh.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by dnpina

I think the SD43 is as small, big or tolerable as the wearer wanted it to be. On my 7 inch wrists, it was just too tall, too thick. Then again, I have no desire to own it. I tried on (and passed on )at a AD event. Like the Daytona, it is not a buy sight unseen watch. My 2¢

This is the correct answer.

[Lol-x]

The 43mm SD has not even landed 1 piece in Australia as yet.....:bangead:

Called an AD and he basically said "give up" he had a 5 year waiting list and wouldn't even consider taking my name.

So I have no idea how it wears, but the dial is the same size as a Submariner, so on that basis I would only be getting more steel on my wrist without a larger dial, this is not something that particularly enthuses me to pursue this watch.

[Hotrod297]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Y'all are making it hard to be patient until 2018 when I'll pick one up.

x2!

I have 2-3 months before I can pull the trigger, these post are not helping!