Sea Dweller 43 case & caseback swap?

[Essray]

I’m getting ready to put my name in on a SD43 and had a random question.

Will a submariner caseback fit on a SD43?

Just wondering if a lower profile case back would alter the height/fit for those of us with borderline wrists.

The watch fits fine (or as much as I can tell considering the AD will not size it for me when trying it on in the gallery).

[brandrea]

It won’t fit.

I contacted these folks back in the day to see if they could assist but never got a reply

https://www.customwatchconcepts.com/...=1&language=en

If the caseback profile doesn’t work for you out of the gate, I’d be cautious about buying this reference.

[ltmgeller]

If you're already thinking of modifying, you might just be better off choosing a different model.

[chris007]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

if you're already thinking of modifying, you might just be better off choosing a different model.

+1

[samson66]

Have you tried it on? Are you asking because you noticed an issue with it? If so I would just avoid it. The caseback comfort issue is very individual wrist dependent. Works for some, not for others. I would definitely recommend trying one on first.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

If you're already thinking of modifying, you might just be better off choosing a different model.

Spot on. I'd never want to pay Rolex-money for something I'm not 100% sold on from day one.

[Essray]

[QUOTE=brandrea;13429178]It won’t fit.

I contacted these folks back in the day to see if they could assist but never got a reply

Thank you for answering my question. And not just chiming in with advice.

[Essray]

Originally Posted by samson66

Have you tried it on? Are you asking because you noticed an issue with it? If so I would just avoid it. The caseback comfort issue is very individual wrist dependent. Works for some, not for others. I would definitely recommend trying one on first.

Yes I tried it on

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

If you're already thinking of modifying, you might just be better off choosing a different model.

It’s one of the few models I don’t already have.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Essray

Yes I tried it on







It’s one of the few models I don’t already have.

Was there something about it that led you to believe it wouldn't work for you?

[321Forever]

I have a 6.5" wrist at best and the SD43 looks fine to me on my wrist. There is a slight float to the case against my wrist. The micro-adjust clasp helps a lot, too, in terms of optimal placement. Of greater note is that it does feel heavier than my other watches, because it is heavier, lol.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Essray

I’m getting ready to put my name in on a SD43 and had a random question.

Will a submariner caseback fit on a SD43?

Just wondering if a lower profile case back would alter the height/fit for those of us with borderline wrists.

The watch fits fine (or as much as I can tell considering the AD will not size it for me when trying it on in the gallery).

You will notice a huge difference when the bracelet is sized correctly.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Essray

I’m getting ready to put my name in on a SD43 and had a random question.

Will a submariner caseback fit on a SD43?

Just wondering if a lower profile case back would alter the height/fit for those of us with borderline wrists.

The watch fits fine (or as much as I can tell considering the AD will not size it for me when trying it on in the gallery).

Don't buy this watch if you have doubts about whether it will be a comfortable in the long run.

If you are contemplating having the watch altered to fit your wrist then the watch isn't for you.

Buy a watch that works for you, that fits you, a watch that is comfortable to wear, do not buy it because its a Rolex or because you have read about the Sea Dweller and how great it is, or because your AD had dangled the opportunity to own the watch in front of you.

I have the TT version and absolutely love it, but I accept it isn't a watch for everyone.

[1William]

I own a SD43 and a couple of Submariners and the SD43 wears differently. With proper bracelet adjustment it is just a comfortable as my Submariners, just different. I get the case back for the SD43 but that is one of the things that can be a positive if you look at it as such. The dial and red text on the SD43 are also nice.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Buy it and try it if you can afford it. I’ve read much conventional wisdom here about the way particular watches should fit that has proven to be wrong; every wrist is different. If you don’t try you’ll always wonder. If you’re wrong then you sell it at a small loss but if you’re right then you gain another treasure. Go for it.

[Driver8]

Personally, while I loved my departed SD43 in many ways (until the movement went bad), I could just never get it quite as comfortable as I would've liked. For some it seems to work fine, but others (like me) seem to struggle forever to get that perfect fit.

[alphadweller]

I'm wondering if the flat DSSD Ti caseback would fit. Could be the solution for those who experience comfort issues with the protruding SS caseback.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

I'm wondering if the flat DSSD Ti caseback would fit. Could be the solution for those who experience comfort issues with the protruding SS caseback.

That won't work. The SD has a protruding caseback so the case sides can look so (relatively) thin. The SD hides a lot of the thickness by the caseback sinking into the wrist. The DSSD on the other hand wears all its thickness loud and proud in the sides of the case so it only needs a flat caseback. The Sub is very similar in the way it hides its thickness to the SD, but it's smaller so less of an issue.

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[Essray]

Originally Posted by 321Forever

I have a 6.5" wrist at best and the SD43 looks fine to me on my wrist. There is a slight float to the case against my wrist. The micro-adjust clasp helps a lot, too, in terms of optimal placement. Of greater note is that it does feel heavier than my other watches, because it is heavier, lol.

Thanks. It isn't easy to know until the bracelet is sized.

[Essray]

Originally Posted by Driver8

Personally, while I loved my departed SD43 in many ways (until the movement went bad), I could just never get it quite as comfortable as I would've liked. For some it seems to work fine, but others (like me) seem to struggle forever to get that perfect fit.

while i have smaller wrists, they are flat. so i may work.

[Essray]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Buy it and try it if you can afford it. I’ve read much conventional wisdom here about the way particular watches should fit that has proven to be wrong; every wrist is different. If you don’t try you’ll always wonder. If you’re wrong then you sell it at a small loss but if you’re right then you gain another treasure. Go for it.

that's the direction i am leaning. thanks

[Essray]

Originally Posted by 1William

I own a SD43 and a couple of Submariners and the SD43 wears differently. With proper bracelet adjustment it is just a comfortable as my Submariners, just different. I get the case back for the SD43 but that is one of the things that can be a positive if you look at it as such. The dial and red text on the SD43 are also nice.

thanks for the insight.

[Essray]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

Don't buy this watch if you have doubts about whether it will be a comfortable in the long run.

If you are contemplating having the watch altered to fit your wrist then the watch isn't for you.

Buy a watch that works for you, that fits you, a watch that is comfortable to wear, do not buy it because its a Rolex or because you have read about the Sea Dweller and how great it is, or because your AD had dangled the opportunity to own the watch in front of you.

I have the TT version and absolutely love it, but I accept it isn't a watch for everyone.

I can appreciate your viewpoint. I see things as a "what if". For example, I have a 42mm planet ocean. It was great, but it needed an adjustable clasp. They don't offer that. So, by doing some digging, I found people who had done a clasp swap. Now, I have a 42mm PO with The perfect clasp that can adjust throughout the day to fit my wrist. If I had left things as is, I would have sold them long ago. And i managed to find an orange bezel that i can swap out when the mood strikes.

I like the watch. dont mind the extra thickness of the case, but i think the case back size is unnessisary.

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by Essray

I’m getting ready to put my name in on a SD43 and had a random question.

Will a submariner caseback fit on a SD43?

Just wondering if a lower profile case back would alter the height/fit for those of us with borderline wrists.

The watch fits fine (or as much as I can tell considering the AD will not size it for me when trying it on in the gallery).

The SD43 unlike earlier Sea-Dwellers (or even the Deepsea) is just an upsized Submariner Date aesthetically.

Initially it had some added appeal because at the time the Sub had maxi-lugs, which the SD43 didn't, but the 12 series Sub has tapered lugs again. So that would be the obvious choice if you were looking at the SD43 but it's too big.

[trailblazer68]

This is likely a case of the wrist is mightier than the heart

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Essray

I can appreciate your viewpoint. I see things as a "what if". For example, I have a 42mm planet ocean. It was great, but it needed an adjustable clasp. They don't offer that. So, by doing some digging, I found people who had done a clasp swap. Now, I have a 42mm PO with The perfect clasp that can adjust throughout the day to fit my wrist. If I had left things as is, I would have sold them long ago. And i managed to find an orange bezel that i can swap out when the mood strikes.

I like the watch. dont mind the extra thickness of the case, but i think the case back size is unnessisary.

Adapting a bracelet to fit is one thing but to change the case of the watch would tell me that the watch isn't for you.

I too have played around with straps / bracelets and clasps over the years with a number of watches but the integrity of the case has never been touched, they have always remained 'as designed'.

My wrists are small, but the SD43 fits very nicely on my wrist above the knuckle joint separating my hand and wrist, in fact I was surprised how well it fitted when I tried it on and even though it is the TT version I have no issues with it at all.

If you are having to contemplate a caseback change I will stick to my original statement and say that this watch is not for you.

But at the end of the day, it is your call on what you choose to do.

[Roddypeepa]

I’m keen (as on record elsewhere on TRF) of swapping the 116610 for the sd43. I’m on the larger side and the exp 2 fits pretty perfectly I’d say.

I’m currently in New York and had another good look at it yesterday (the stores are amazing over here btw) but one thing I want to be 100 per cent on is the caseback. Prefer the dial and bezel and the splash of red is a nice touch. But there’s no getting away from it - it does protrude and I can totally see some being fine some hating the fit.


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