SD43 vs Submariner

[Billykhan]

Hello there Gents. Sorry if this topic's been done before, but a quick search only seemed to mostly bring up results for SD43 vs DS or SD4k.

So it's not really time for me to be making any purchases, what with my recent quite spontaneous 116520 acquisition. Still, whenever I look at my collection, I do rue the fact that inspite of having 5 Rolexes, I still don't have the most iconic Rolex (IMO) in my collection.

Having grown out of the Hulk, and refusing to pay current Grey prices for a 10+ year old Kermit, I don't seem to have too many options to add an SS Sub barring the plain Vanilla Sub C Date or no date. What has caught my eye for quite sometime is the SD43. The red lettering seems to add just the right amount of bling to what for all intents an purposes is a Sub, and would make it worthy of adding to and (hopefully) completing my collection...for now

Any opinions gents? I do have very small wrists, but am used to wearing a Luminor Marina Logo quite comfortably. As you can see almost every other watch I own is below 42mm. Any other blingier but reasonably priced SS Sub versions you would suggest?
==================
Rolex Date 1500
Rolex Datejust 16220
Rolex Yacht Master 16622
Rolex GMT Master II 'Batman' 116710 BLNR
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116520
Panerai Lumnior Marina Logo PAM 005
Omega Seamaster 'Goldeneye'
Omega Speedmaster 'Moonwatch'

[Vipes]

I recently picked up the SD43 and I really like it. I always thought it was too big for my skinny wrist but I decided to give it a try when my AD offered it to me.
I love the red text and slim lugs. It is a large watch and it is big on my wrist but doesn’t feel oversized. Pretty comfortable for a large watch.

[mattsrs]

I had all three: Sub, Sub Date and SD43. I still miss my SD43! I just couldn't justify $4k price difference with Sub otherwise amazing piece and very substantial presence on the wrist. IMHO its the best proportioned Rolex case/bracelet out there. If money no problem and your wrist is more thean 6.7" (see Tim Mosso reivew on youtube he has small wrists) for sure go for SD43 its a no brainer.

[10klakes]

Having 7.25” wrists, the SD43 is the perfect size for me. No questions about it, SD43>116610. It’s the big brother and dominates the submariner arena imo.

[samson66]

Based on your "very small wrists" comment I would probably steer you away from the SD43. My wist is in the 7.25-7.5" range and it fits me perfectly. If you are <6.5" I think you would really be pushing it with this watch. Here it is on my wrist if it helps you to see one on a larger wrist.




Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S10 using Tapatalk

[Manu74]

SD43 is the perfect watch for me.
But with a real small wrist, it could be too big.

[Billykhan]

Originally Posted by samson66

Based on your "very small wrists" comment I would probably steer you away from the SD43. My wist is in the 7.25-7.5" range and it fits me perfectly. If you are >6.5" I think you would really be pushing it with this watch. Here it is on my wrist if it helps you to see one on a larger wrist.



Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S10 using Tapatalk

Certainly seems to work much better on a larger wrist from the looks of it!

[patrickjb]

I just traded a Hulk for a SD43 and couldn't be happier, quite honestly. That being said, I do have bigger wrist (7 3/4).

It's a beautiful watch, and the size is absolutely perfect for me. I really recommend you try it on before buying, as the size of it won't be for everyone.

Good luck!!!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Billykhan

Certainly seems to work much better on a larger wrist from the looks of it!

I'm in the opposite camp. I would love to get a white ceramic Daytona, but it just wears too small for me. So consider yourself lucky - Rolex makes a lot more models for small-medium wrists than they do for large wrists

What is your wrist size if you know? My original post should have said if LESS than 6.5" I thnk you would be pushing it with this watch.

[Billykhan]

Just to get a better perspective, this is me wearing my 116520. Its pretty much the perfect size, and any bigger would normally mean overhang but as I said I don't feel any with the Panerai or the Speedy.

[Mystro]

Having grown out of the Hulk

Elaborate on this. Got tired of the green? This would help decide what you’re looking for.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Billykhan

Just to get a better perspective, this is me wearing my 116520. Its pretty much the perfect size, and any bigger would normally mean overhang but as I said I don't feel any with the Panerai or the Speedy.

Yeah I would stick to 40mm and below. I think Daytonas are in the 39mm range if I remember right. Sweet watch by the way.

Also, I have a Moonwatch and the SD wears quite a bit larger than the MW. The Speedy diameter includes the crown guards, the Sea Dweller does not. So the Speedy wears closer to a 40-41 range where as the SD43 wears like a true 43 IMO

[mattsrs]

Originally Posted by samson66

Yeah I would stick to 40mm and below. I think Daytonas are in the 39mm range if I remember right. Sweet watch by the way.

Also, I have a Moonwatch and the SD wears quite a bit larger than the MW. The Speedy diameter includes the crown guards, the Sea Dweller does not. So the Speedy wears closer to a 40-41 range where as the SD43 wears like a true 43 IMO

From my experience, Sub wears more like 41mm and SD43 wears like 42. SD43 is a bit thicker though

[Likestheshiny]

I love the look of the SD, but I can't get over the placement of the date window. It's already a little far from the edge of the dial on the sub, but on a SD43 it looks really odd to me. It's one of those "Once I see it, I can't unsee it" moments for me.

[Chester01]

I would go 16610 in your case. The same look, more comfortable, iconic proportions.

[Billykhan]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Elaborate on this. Got tired of the green? This would help decide what you’re looking for.

Well, when I was looking for my next Rolex almost 5 years ago, it was a throw up between 'Batman' and 'Hulk' both at retail and at the time I ended up choosing the former, though for a very long time felt like I should've gone for both. Now 5 years later, the 'Hulk' no longer sings to me, especially at premium....Just a bit too much green and too many cheapo homages with the same sort of colour scheme...what used to always put me off Pepsi back in the day...Had a Seiko which got very often mistaken for the GMT!

[Wcdhtwn]

SD43 gets my vote. Which probably isn’t surprising given I have one...

[Billykhan]

Originally Posted by samson66

Yeah I would stick to 40mm and below. I think Daytonas are in the 39mm range if I remember right. Sweet watch by the way.

Also, I have a Moonwatch and the SD wears quite a bit larger than the MW. The Speedy diameter includes the crown guards, the Sea Dweller does not. So the Speedy wears closer to a 40-41 range where as the SD43 wears like a true 43 IMO

Thanks for the compliment...Yes the 116520 is for sure a sweet watch, and the only one I've ever been willing to, and maybe ever will be willing, to pay a premium for (along with the 116500)

[EndlessEight]

Do you guys/gals tend to remove the diver's extension?

I've heard it makes the watch more comfortable. Is this true?

[Billykhan]

Originally Posted by Chester01

I would go 16610 in your case. The same look, more comfortable, iconic proportions.

This would make sense, it's just that the Sub is so boring (maybe Classic to some)….Is it too much to wish for some sort of anniversary edition with a coloured dial or bezel or at least some coloured lettering, a la the SD

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Vipes

I recently picked up the SD43 and I really like it. I always thought it was too big for my skinny wrist but I decided to give it a try when my AD offered it to me.
I love the red text and slim lugs. It is a large watch and it is big on my wrist but doesn’t feel oversized. Pretty comfortable for a large watch.

Dulp. Last thing I need is another for the list. I had this in the too large column
For 6.5

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Billykhan

Well, when I was looking for my next Rolex almost 5 years ago, it was a throw up between 'Batman' and 'Hulk' both at retail and at the time I ended up choosing the former, though for a very long time felt like I should've gone for both. Now 5 years later, the 'Hulk' no longer sings to me, especially at premium....Just a bit too much green and too many cheapo homages with the same sort of colour scheme...what used to always put me off Pepsi back in the day...Had a Seiko which got very often mistaken for the GMT!

That helps. The SD43 is a great larger watch. I owned one briefly. It is a large Submariner. It does come at the cost of being heavier and less comfortable. For some reason this was the only Rolex I couldn’t wear as it never was comfortable, and I wear large watches all the time. If that’s not a issue then go for it. I strongly recommend you buying any new Rolex watch with the new movement. If you want to go big then get the ultimate diver in the Rolex catalog. The DSSD JC. In my opinion it wears more comfortable than the SD43 and it’s the alpha dive watch with a lot off unique special associations no other watch has.

[KingsTrumper]

As an owner of the SD43 and someone who prefers dwellers to subs I would say go for it. The red is subtle but cool and the matte dial is a nice touch. One thing I would say is whilst I understand why people say it's a larger sub, it's so much more than that. Great proportions, fantastic bracelet and slightly thicker. To the non wis it will look like a sub but you know it's not. For my money the SD43 and the Deep Sea are the last of a dying breed of true tool watches.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Billykhan

This would make sense, it's just that the Sub is so boring (maybe Classic to some)….Is it too much to wish for some sort of anniversary edition with a coloured dial or bezel or at least some coloured lettering, a la the SD

I mean, let’s face it after the first week that red lettering will not capture your attention so much and you will be left with something that is heavier on the wrist. From 5 feet out, it’s indistinguishable. If you want something that is larger and perhaps more comfortable and a little different I would take a hard look at the exp 2nif you have not already.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Billykhan]

Originally Posted by Mystro

That helps. The SD43 is a great larger watch. I owned one briefly. It is a large Submariner. It does come at the cost of being heavier and less comfortable. For some reason this was the only Rolex I couldn’t wear as it never was comfortable, and I wear large watches all the time. If that’s not a issue then go for it. I strongly recommend you buying any new Rolex watch with the new movement. If you want to go big then get the ultimate diver in the Rolex catalog. The DSSD JC. In my opinion it wears more comfortable than the SD43 and it’s the alpha dive watch with a lot off unique special associations no other watch has.

I'm in no way shape or form into diving, but the DDSD JC is the watch that made me even look at the SD range and come across the 50th edition...but from what I've read it just seems way too big at 44mm and appears way chunkier than any other Sports Rolex....Strange you say it wears better than the SD43...How does it compare to the new DS Dark Blue....That Green lettering and gradient blue dial is just fantastic on both versions

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Billykhan

I'm in no way shape or form into diving, but the DDSD JC is the watch that made me even look at the SD range and come across the 50th edition...but from what I've read it just seems way too big at 44mm and appears way chunkier than any other Sports Rolex....Strange you say it wears better than the SD43...How does it compare to the new DS Dark Blue....That Green lettering and gradient blue dial is just fantastic on both versions

I have the new 126660 DSSD JC. It is the top of the line of divers for a reason. It’s for the enthusiast that appreciates a technical watch. I think if you were looking at a SD you are one of these candidates. The Sea Dweller is not a mass appeal watch. It never was meant to be. The Submariner is more than enough for any diver and for that matter, almost any oyster model with 100WR is as well.

If you can wear a SD43, you can wear the new DSSD JC. The thickness difference is a non issue on a dive watch this size. IMO, you either go Sub or DSSD JC. The DSSD JC with gradient blue dial will never be confused with the average Sub if that is a concern.

[cbiggs]

Originally Posted by Chester01

I would go 16610 in your case. The same look, more comfortable, iconic proportions.

+1

I love the SD but I truly think that the 5 digit sub fits the “iconic Rolex” bill way better. (And yes, even more than the 6 digit)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nikrnic]

The shape of your wrist will also come into play. My 7" flat wrist trying on a new JC, I was a little surprised it didn't swallow my arm..For me my Blnr has the perfect proportions for a 6 digit piece, I also have a 114060 and think if you can pull that off with its maxi case you may be able to do the same with the SD43. As a rule if your not sure you should try it before you buy it.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[JohnGingerwood]

If you have big wrists, the SD43 is perfect. I would say you have to be over 7in wrist to pull it off. I have 6.5 in wrist and I wore a 43m watch for a little while and it swallowed me up. Felt like I was a kid wearing my dads oversized suit jacket.

[samson66]

A DSSD may possibly be more comfortable to wear due to its flat caseback. However, the SD43's protruding caseback is what gives it that nice slimmer profile. The DSSD just looks ridiculously thick in my opinion. I love the watch but the thickness is what kept me from buying it - and I did get to try one on.

As for comfort, every watch I own (including both Rolexes) has a protruding case back and they have never bothered me one bit. Maybe it has to do with the shape of the wrist as far as whether or not it bothers you, but I find my SD43 to be very comfortable. It's a watch with weight, but in a good way. I like knowing it's there!