SD43 HEV Question

[moby33]

Long time no post (it’s been years), but had a quick question I can’t find an answer to.

Does SD43 have two different HEVs? Specifically, does anyone have the SS polished version on their SD43? I recently purchased a 2022 LNIB SD43 and the HEV is silver polished like the DSSD I owned years ago.

This is my third time w/ the SD43 (had a 2017 & 2020 model) and I’m 99.9% sure both those SD43 had the gray TI HEV and not the high polish SS that my current 2022 model seems to have.

Am I going crazy? Anyone seen these HEV differences of SS vs TI finish on SD43 before?

Thanks!

[drrd]

Any chance the seller had the watch polished?

I know you’d normally open a watch to polish the case but the tools to open SD models are only available to RSCs.

[moby33]

I guess anything is possible, but doubt it since there were still a lot of stickers still intact on watch. Granted, no stickers on sides, but case back & many bracelet/clasp stickers were still on watch when I got it, so it truly appears to be a legit LNIB 2022 example.

A real head scratcher to me, but wondering if anyone else out there has seen/owned a SD43 w/ silver (vice gray TI) HEV?

[drrd]

Also someone posted here a while ago about getting a polished SS valve after a service at RSC. This is an older SD model though and no pictures…

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=386620

[moby33]

Originally Posted by drrd

Also someone posted here a while ago about getting a polished SS valve after a service at RSC. This is an older SD model though and no pictures…

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=386620

Yeah, I saw that thread and seems to be the only talk about HEV. I just don’t see how polishing a TI valve would give it a SS appearance. And I’m pretty sure the SS HEV on DSSD is slightly larger than HEV on SD43…but I might be wrong. If that’s true though, there’s no way a DSSD valve could be swapped out on a SD43, so that’s another theory that probably doesn’t hold water (or Helium).

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by moby33

Yeah, I saw that thread and seems to be the only talk about HEV. I just don’t see how polishing a TI valve would give it a SS appearance. And I’m pretty sure the SS HEV on DSSD is slightly larger than HEV on SD43…but I might be wrong. If that’s true though, there’s no way a DSSD valve could be swapped out on a SD43, so that’s another theory that probably doesn’t hold water (or Helium).

What you’re saying means it has been polished over, from what I’ve seen on the forum over years

[drrd]

I got the impression from that thread that by ‘the same’ they meant polished steel rather than identical to a DSSD valve in size as well. You definitely won’t get a DSSD HEV in a 43mm SD :)

I haven’t seen the 43 model with a SS polished HEV though. Maybe someone will post pictures if they’re a thing and if not then might be worth at least a phone call to RSC.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by moby33

This is my third time w/ the SD43 (had a 2017 & 2020 model) and I’m 99.9% sure both those SD43 had the gray TI HEV and not the high polish SS that my current 2022 model seems to have.

Post photos of your current SD43 HEV and its case?

[Toproll85]

2022, gray.



Never seen a polished HEV on SD43!, and I don't see Rolex getting tired of making several kinds on their production and process line !

History to be explored in more depth, without helium , for me it cannot be original...
That said, I could be wrong.

[geoach]

I think something is rotten in the wood pile...........check to make sure your watch is not fake.

[brandrea]

My 2017 was grayish colored as above.

[travisb]

It was likely polished or altered sometime before getting to you.
The SD43 never came directly from Rolex with a polished HEV.

[1st amg]

I recall mine not being polished.

[alphadweller]

I've never seen one with a polished HEV. Rolex' website still shows it with the matte finish.

[moby33]

Thanks guys, I agree…something seems off. I’ll try to post some shots later today. It’s weird in that at certain angles it does give off a slight gray appearance, but at other angles, when the light reflects just right, it looks almost identical SS polish to side of case. I agree w/ pics (and my experience with my other two SD43) that the gray color shouldn’t be a question…on all others I’ve experienced there was never a question of if it was gray regardless of light/angle.

I bought from a reputable gray (who has been active on here for years) so I’ll refrain from stating names at this point…but for my own peace of mind I’ll probably run it over to a local Rolex AD just to see what they say. If there’s something amiss, I’ll then deal directly w/ dealer and go from there.

I can’t believe I missed it when I purchased…maybe in the store’s light it was giving off more of the gray tone, but I’ve just seen it at too many angles where I see zero hint of gray and that’s what’s giving me pause.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by moby33

Thanks guys, I agree…something seems off. I’ll try to post some shots later today. It’s weird in that at certain angles it does give off a slight gray appearance, but at other angles, when the light reflects just right, it looks almost identical SS polish to side of case. I agree w/ pics (and my experience with my other two SD43) that the gray color shouldn’t be a question…on all others I’ve experienced there was never a question of if it was gray regardless of light/angle.

I bought from a reputable gray (who has been active on here for years) so I’ll refrain from stating names at this point…but for my own peace of mind I’ll probably run it over to a local Rolex AD just to see what they say. If there’s something amiss, I’ll then deal directly w/ dealer and go from there.

I can’t believe I missed it when I purchased…maybe in the store’s light it was giving off more of the gray tone, but I’ve just seen it at too many angles where I see zero hint of gray and that’s what’s giving me pause.

Never mind this is why you buy from a trusted seller :) peace of mind

[moby33]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Never mind this is why you buy from a trusted seller :) peace of mind

I’ve dealt w/ this seller for years (and referred others to them as well)…so just another reason I didn’t really go over the watch w/ a very leery eye. Watch looked good, paperwork looked good, serial #’s lined up & box was in good condition. Sold! Moving on…

Now I can’t get my obsessive watch ADD thinking out of my head, “Why doesn’t this HEV look “gray” enough?” I don’t know, maybe my old(er) eyes are playing tricks on me. Hell…I was in my late 20’s when I bought my first SD…now I’m pushing 50…where does the time (and eyesight) go?!

[drrd]

Originally Posted by moby33

Thanks guys, I agree…something seems off. I’ll try to post some shots later today. It’s weird in that at certain angles it does give off a slight gray appearance, but at other angles, when the light reflects just right, it looks almost identical SS polish to side of case. I agree w/ pics (and my experience with my other two SD43) that the gray color shouldn’t be a question…on all others I’ve experienced there was never a question of if it was gray regardless of light/angle.

It sounds more like a polish.

Ti can look obviously grey but with polished Ti it’s not quite so pronounced. Have a look at Ti rings and jewellery. I think the colour is to do with the oxide layer on Ti, I’m guessing the polished surface has less surface area therefore not so deep colour.

I think you need to be wary with the Sea Dweller range from non-ADs; even ADs with Rolex certified watchmakers can’t open or service them, they’re RSC only. If they need refinishing it’s either back to RSC as part of a service or just don’t open them.

[samson66]

Please post photos. Is this seller OCWatchGuy? I think his shop is right there in Huntington Beach. If it is, Patrick is one of the best in the business.

[moby33]

Here's what I'm talking about (I pulled off bracelet to wear on MN nato as I've got a Rubber B inbound which I'll be putting on). At certain angles is looks very much SS...yet others give off the gray TI I expect. These pics were all taken at the same time. It's making me crazy...

SS Angles...




TI Angles...

[CarlOver]

The center piece reflects light kind of weird. As if the center is a bit concave unless that’s all due to the lighting in the photos.

[2loaded]

Looks polished, case as well. Was this disclosed?
Quick call to Patrick should clear things up.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Looks polished

Agree.

[londondude]

To me it looks like the material is right but it’s been polished. Maybe the sides were buffed up without opening and disassembling the watch and the light polish has changed the way the light reflects off it.

[SDGT3]

I just looked at mine and it's definitely gray and not polished, but I can see in your photos how the light changes how it appears. Also, the comment about it being concave is what I saw initially on mine, but that also appears to be an optical illusion. Never actually gave this much thought until this thread.

[cdmorenot]

This case has absolutely been polished - There is light distortion which does not happen with factory finish.

[samson66]

I think they were a little overzealous with the polishing. This looks to my eyes like it was polished, but not by RSC. I think whoever did the work did not really know what they were doing.

BUT ... that would probably not prevent me from owning and enjoying that watch. I've probably looked at my HEV two or three times since I've owned it. I basically never notice it being there.l

[moby33]

Yep, as suspected, the side was polished. Took back to dealer and he confirmed that was the case. He’s going to find me another and take it back as he’s appreciative of my OCD when it comes to the fact I can’t get this polished valve out of my head. To make it “right” it would have to go back to RSC and I would pay way too much to replace a functional HEV for simply cosmetic purposes. So I’m just going to wait for another example to come in and swap out for it.

I realize some might be able to “live with it”…but now that I see it, I can’t unsee it and it annoys me. Bummed I didn’t notice originally, but as I said, it was a quick in & out when I got it as I had no reason to believe a 2022 wasn’t fresh. Lesson learned on my part…never be in too much of a rush to get the watch on your wrist!

Thanks all for the input…appreciate the feedback. In the end not the worst thing that could happen, just a little inconvenience.

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by moby33

Yep, as suspected, the side was polished. Took back to dealer and he confirmed that was the case. He’s going to find me another and take it back as he’s appreciative of my OCD when it comes to the fact I can’t get this polished valve out of my head. To make it “right” it would have to go back to RSC and I would pay way too much to replace a functional HEV for simply cosmetic purposes. So I’m just going to wait for another example to come in and swap out for it.

I realize some might be able to “live with it”…but now that I see it, I can’t unsee it and it annoys me. Bummed I didn’t notice originally, but as I said, it was a quick in & out when I got it as I had no reason to believe a 2022 wasn’t fresh. Lesson learned on my part…never be in too much of a rush to get the watch on your wrist!

Thanks all for the input…appreciate the feedback. In the end not the worst thing that could happen, just a little inconvenience.

Well, stuff happens! Glad you have the ability to swap this out for something that you're truly satisfied with. It kind of blows that this slipped through to begin with but such is life.

Thanks for getting us involved! Hopefully an incoming soon ?

[HiDive]

If someone polished it while the HEV was installed in the case I would not go in the water with it, for several reasons. They may have damaged the seal in the HEV. The polishing media or debris could be down in the space between the body and seat of the HEV and will cause corrosion. If it was done that way it was a dumb thing to do.

My SD50 definitely has a dull gray Ti HEV.