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moby33 · 9 May 2009, 03:13 AM

I understand the history of the 'original' Deepsea, so that's not necessarily my question. I got to thinking last night about how Rolex decided to discontinue the SD4000 once they introduced the new Deepsea. With that in mind, why not just call the new DSSD the SD? Heck, technically it still is the SD since it's still on the dial, yet all they did was add the name Deepsea.

My reasoning behind this question is the following. The Submariner has evolved through numerous changes in the case, crown (and crown guard), dial/markets, hands, crystal, depth-rating, movement and bracelet, yet with each new iteration it has still been called the Submariner (not Sub-II, Sub-Extreme, Sub-Deepsea, ect...). There was no need to add anything to its name. Isn't this exactly what has been done with the new Sea-Dweller (albeit in a major way)?

I could understand them using the name DS IF they decided to keep the SD in production at the same time...but since they decided to eliminate the SD from their line-up, my thinking is they should have just kept it simple and called it the SD sans DS. Again, if it's good enough for the Sub, why not the SD? Thoughts?

azmmza · 9 May 2009, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moby33

I understand the history of the 'original' Deepsea, so that's not necessarily my question. I got to thinking last night about how Rolex decided to discontinue the SD4000 once they introduced the new Deepsea. With that in mind, why not just call the new DSSD the SD? Heck, technically it still is the SD since it's still on the dial, yet all they did was add the name Deepsea.

My reasoning behind this question is the following. The Submariner has evolved through numerous changes in the case, crown (and crown guard), dial/markets, hands, crystal, depth-rating, movement and bracelet, yet with each new iteration it has still been called the Submariner (not Sub-II, Sub-Extreme, Sub-Deepsea, ect...). There was no need to add anything to its name. Isn't this exactly what has been done with the new Sea-Dweller (albeit in a major way)?

I could understand them using the name DS IF they decided to keep the SD in production at the same time...but since they decided to eliminate the SD from their line-up, my thinking is they should have just kept it simple and called it the SD sans DS. Again, if it's good enough for the Sub, why not the SD? Thoughts?

marketing

SDDS · 9 May 2009, 06:00 AM

use the name to introduce a new series....

scottjal · 9 May 2009, 07:30 AM

Yes, marketing and clearly presents it as an all new watch that it is.

Chris B · 9 May 2009, 09:48 AM

Sometimes it doesn't pay to think too hard, just like when everyone celebrated the new millenium a year too early

Andad · 9 May 2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris B

Sometimes it doesn't pay to think too hard, just like when everyone celebrated the new millenium a year too early

chu88y · 9 May 2009, 10:02 AM

big watch big name

Wildwing · 9 May 2009, 10:53 AM

Good question, Moby, and I think the essence is captured in part of your post that describes the decision to discontinue the SD4000. Have they really done that? Sure they've taken if off their website. Most of their dial combinations aren't even posted on the website. And they came out with a "limited" run of V series Sea Dwellers. Are we really sure they've discontinued it? How about a marketing test to see if two versions of the Sea Dweller can sell, and then decide whether to discontinue the SD4000... I wish I hade a dime for every post here where someone says, They have positively discontinued the Sea Dweller. Really? Where does this information come from? Any reliable sources? Rolex may be testing the market. Anyhow, long story short. They couldn't very well call the DSSD the Sea Dweller if they may continue the SD4000. Food for thought, n'est pas?

zak98 · 9 May 2009, 10:04 PM

maybe a sign that the "old" seadweller.. will remain?

watchnut · 10 May 2009, 02:31 AM

They should have called it the "bottom-dweller" anyway!

Blueoctopus007 · 2 June 2009, 11:20 AM

I called Rolex HQ in London UK and Geneva Switzerland - they confirmed the 16600 Sea Dweller will no longer be produced.

ayecarumba · 2 June 2009, 12:06 PM

1. I think you hit the essence of it when you describe the fact that the original sea dweller design and case will no longer be produced.

2. As was said, marketing as a HUGE consideration...When Honda decided to manufacture an upscale version of their vehicles, the marketing researchers told them they had to come up with a new name (Acura) because too many people recognized "Honda" as being something completely different....

3. Keeping the name Sea Dweller but adding to it, I believe, helped enhance and differentiate the new product. The the new SDDS incorporates so many new and advanced features that though the classic SD pedigree is evident, it was deserving of a new name/identity. To do otherwise would be kinda like calling a Hummer a Jeep.

--Paul

TheDude · 2 June 2009, 11:11 PM

Here's a thought...

What if - and this is pure speculation - they were to make a "regular" SD based on the new 40mm Sub?

It may not happen anytime soon, but at least giving the 43mm monster a special name leaves the door open for an update to the smaller Sub-based SD.

padi56 · 2 June 2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moby33

I could understand them using the name DS IF they decided to keep the SD in production at the same time...but since they decided to eliminate the SD from their line-up, my thinking is they should have just kept it simple and called it the SD sans DS. Again, if it's good enough for the Sub, why not the SD? Thoughts?

Well IMHO thats the answer there is nothing 100% with Rolex and until Rolex officially says the SD is no more.Than as far as I know its still a production model no matter whats the rumours say.

Imtiaz · 3 June 2009, 12:49 AM

Rolex registered the name Deepsea many years ago.

I guess they were going through their inventory of names and found a nice catchy name for the new SD.

You have to agree the name is easy to remember and has a definite image that comes to mind when you hear it spoken.

moby33 · 3 June 2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imtiaz

Rolex registered the name Deepsea many years ago.

I guess they were going through their inventory of names and found a nice catchy name for the new SD.

You have to agree the name is easy to remember and has a definite image that comes to mind when you hear it spoken.

Don't get me wrong...I like both names - Sea-Dweller & Deepsea are both pretty cool sounding names for dive watches...just thinking in the big scheme of things if the SD really is discontinued, then why not just keep it simple. But, I agree that it's probably more to do w/ marketing than anything else...although I like the idea of someday offering a SD in the new 'Supercase' at 40mm to give customers more choice.

Personally, I think the YM series does it best and wish they incorporated that concept with other models (Sub & Daytona specifically). You can get a YM in ladies, mid or full size form...what's not to like about that?!?! My wife would LOVE a mid-sized Sub or Daytona...win-win IMO.

TheDude · 4 June 2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moby33

...if the SD really is discontinued...

Well, I think my own personal confusion is this...

Was the statement from Rolex that the current reference is discontinued for the SD? (leaving open the possibility that we may see a new reference number SD with 40mm Supercase)

Or, is the whole notion of an SD that basically resembles the Sub discontinued? I'd like to believe the former.

9 May 2009, 03:13 AM	#1
moby33 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Huntington Beach Watch: Rolex/Omega/Seiko Posts: 2,560	Why use the name Deepsea...Sea-Dweller is enough? I understand the history of the 'original' Deepsea, so that's not necessarily my question. I got to thinking last night about how Rolex decided to discontinue the SD4000 once they introduced the new Deepsea. With that in mind, why not just call the new DSSD the SD? Heck, technically it still is the SD since it's still on the dial, yet all they did was add the name Deepsea. My reasoning behind this question is the following. The Submariner has evolved through numerous changes in the case, crown (and crown guard), dial/markets, hands, crystal, depth-rating, movement and bracelet, yet with each new iteration it has still been called the Submariner (not Sub-II, Sub-Extreme, Sub-Deepsea, ect...). There was no need to add anything to its name. Isn't this exactly what has been done with the new Sea-Dweller (albeit in a major way)? I could understand them using the name DS IF they decided to keep the SD in production at the same time...but since they decided to eliminate the SD from their line-up, my thinking is they should have just kept it simple and called it the SD sans DS. Again, if it's good enough for the Sub, why not the SD? Thoughts?

9 May 2009, 06:00 AM	#3
SDDS "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Yazan Location: Canada Posts: 4,782	use the name to introduce a new series.... __________________ Patek Philippe 5167 Patek Philippe 5905P black dial Rolex Deepsea 116660 M series Rolex Oysterquartz 17000 N series Rolex OP 41MM 124300 Green Dial

9 May 2009, 07:30 AM	#4
scottjal "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: Scott Location: SC Watch: GMT II Posts: 464	Yes, marketing and clearly presents it as an all new watch that it is. __________________ sj

9 May 2009, 10:04 PM	#9
zak98 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: TN Watch: Rolex Posts: 2,166	maybe a sign that the "old" seadweller.. will remain? __________________ Z- Submariner; P- Airking; R- DateJust; M- GMTII; C0 - Milgauss GV Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 46 Omega Speedmaster Racing Panerai PAM390

10 May 2009, 02:31 AM	#10
watchnut "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: David Location: SW Fla Watch: SS Daytona & TT DJ Posts: 1,430	They should have called it the "bottom-dweller" anyway! __________________ "Ever higher. Ever better": Patrick Heiniger

9 May 2009, 09:48 AM	#5
Chris B "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 9,631	Sometimes it doesn't pay to think too hard, just like when everyone celebrated the new millenium a year too early

9 May 2009, 10:02 AM	#7
chu88y Banned Join Date: May 2009 Location: LONDON Watch: SDDS Posts: 660	big watch big name

9 May 2009, 10:53 AM	#8
Wildwing "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 593	Good question, Moby, and I think the essence is captured in part of your post that describes the decision to discontinue the SD4000. Have they really done that? Sure they've taken if off their website. Most of their dial combinations aren't even posted on the website. And they came out with a "limited" run of V series Sea Dwellers. Are we really sure they've discontinued it? How about a marketing test to see if two versions of the Sea Dweller can sell, and then decide whether to discontinue the SD4000... I wish I hade a dime for every post here where someone says, They have positively discontinued the Sea Dweller. Really? Where does this information come from? Any reliable sources? Rolex may be testing the market. Anyhow, long story short. They couldn't very well call the DSSD the Sea Dweller if they may continue the SD4000. Food for thought, n'est pas?

2 June 2009, 11:20 AM	#11
Blueoctopus007 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London, UK Watch: Sea Dweller 16600 Posts: 163	I called Rolex HQ in London UK and Geneva Switzerland - they confirmed the 16600 Sea Dweller will no longer be produced.

2 June 2009, 12:06 PM	#12
ayecarumba "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: ATL Watch: the one I'm wearin Posts: 526	Great question and great answers! 1. I think you hit the essence of it when you describe the fact that the original sea dweller design and case will no longer be produced. 2. As was said, marketing as a HUGE consideration...When Honda decided to manufacture an upscale version of their vehicles, the marketing researchers told them they had to come up with a new name (Acura) because too many people recognized "Honda" as being something completely different.... 3. Keeping the name Sea Dweller but adding to it, I believe, helped enhance and differentiate the new product. The the new SDDS incorporates so many new and advanced features that though the classic SD pedigree is evident, it was deserving of a new name/identity. To do otherwise would be kinda like calling a Hummer a Jeep. --Paul __________________ "Whether we wake or we sleep, Whether we carol or weep, The Sun with his planets in chime, Marketh the going of Time." --Edward Fitzgerald

2 June 2009, 11:11 PM	#13
TheDude "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DC Area, USA Watch: IIc,1680 Red,16660 Posts: 4,492	Here's a thought... What if - and this is pure speculation - they were to make a "regular" SD based on the new 40mm Sub? It may not happen anytime soon, but at least giving the 43mm monster a special name leaves the door open for an update to the smaller Sub-based SD.

3 June 2009, 12:49 AM	#15
Imtiaz Banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: De Location: Tokyo Watch: Daytona, Sub, DS, Posts: 1,046	Rolex registered the name Deepsea many years ago. I guess they were going through their inventory of names and found a nice catchy name for the new SD. You have to agree the name is easy to remember and has a definite image that comes to mind when you hear it spoken.

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