New Sub proportions = Less demand for Sea Dweller?

[dmash]

With the adjustments (albeit small) to the Sub, do you think this will eat into the Sea Dweller’s desire? A lot here have even mentioned they see the Sub as a ‘Mini SD’ with the movement/bracelet/case improvements. Any SD owners planning on switching to a Sub with the new changes or sticking with what they have?

I’m currently in discussions for either a 126613LN TT Sub (AD) or a 126603 TT SD (Grey) and pondering waiting a bit to see if SD value drops. I can’t help but feel I’m getting a better watch if prices were almost the same.

Curious how others feel about the two.

[zoenoadad]

I used to have a SD43 and just tried on the new Sub this past weekend. I found the Sub considerably smaller and lighter than the SeaDweller (much to my dismay). It didn't seem much bigger than the older models. SD43 has way more wrist presence, imo.

[Cru Jones]

People who want an SD want an SD. I guarantee that less than 0.01% of buyers bought an SD because of perceived lug thickness of the Sub.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

People who want an SD want an SD. I guarantee that less than 0.01% of buyers bought an SD because of perceived lug thickness of the Sub.

I think you’re being sensical and I’m just secretly hoping I can score a better deal

[Andad]

My SD is 40mm.

ITS THE MINI ENGINEERING MASTERPIECE.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Andad

My SD is 40mm.

ITS THE MINI ENGINEERING MASTERPIECE.

Can’t believe how quickly those went from unloved/sitting in the case to grail status! People didn’t know what they liked until it was gone

[abozz]

The touch of red of the SD43, the size made to celebrate his 50th anniversary, and his matte/glossy dial is unique. Now, the trio 126600, 126660 and 126610 is the most perfect ever made by Rolex IMO. I would love to have all of them.

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[Pilliam]

dmash - As a 2018 Bluesy owner and 2019 SS SD43 owner who loves both, if I were presented with your option, the TT SD43 would win, hands-down. The fully graduated markers in gold, plus the Sea-Dweller gold script, blow the TT Sub LN away. It's a badas$ watch. Idk if you've ever tried on a SD43, but don't believe the hype that it's "too thick."

I'm going to my AD today in search of the new Sub LV. I'll bring my Bluesy and SD43 and, presuming I'm fortunate enough to pick up the LV, will take pics of them together. Hopefully that'll illustrate some of the dimensionality issues.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Andad

My SD is 40mm.

ITS THE MINI ENGINEERING MASTERPIECE.

In hindsight yours is maybe the nicest SD

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by abozz

The touch of red of the SD43, the size made to celebrate his 50th anniversary, and his matte/glossy dial is unique. Now, the trio 126600, 126660 and 126610 is the most perfect ever made by Rolex IMO. I would love to have all of them.

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The black dial is a different black on the SD43 than Sub?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by joli160

In hindsight yours is maybe the nicest SD

And special.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by zoenoadad

I used to have a SD43 and just tried on the new Sub this past weekend. I found the Sub considerably smaller and lighter than the SeaDweller (much to my dismay). It didn't seem much bigger than the older models. SD43 has way more wrist presence, imo.

Good feedback. The last time I tried on a Sub at my AD (the previous generation) I thought the same thing. I was hoping the new one would wear a little larger but it sounds like it doesn't. I think once you are used to the SD43 the Sub is always going to come up a little short.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by pmk416

dmash - As a 2018 Bluesy owner and 2019 SS SD43 owner who loves both, if I were presented with your option, the TT SD43 would win, hands-down. The fully graduated markers in gold, plus the Sea-Dweller gold script, blow the TT Sub LN away. It's a badas$ watch. Idk if you've ever tried on a SD43, but don't believe the hype that it's "too thick."

I'm going to my AD today in search of the new Sub LV. I'll bring my Bluesy and SD43 and, presuming I'm fortunate enough to pick up the LV, will take pics of them together. Hopefully that'll illustrate some of the dimensionality issues.

That would be great! Thanks for your feedback and the suggestion.

Yeah the extra gold touches on the SD are really pushing me that way. The way the gold text contrasts the matte dial seems amazing.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

The black dial is a different black on the SD43 than Sub?

Yup, SD is matte and Sub is gloss

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

The black dial is a different black on the SD43 than Sub?

Yes, the SD 43 has a matte dial but has different looks depending on the lighting


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[bwdellorf76]

SD4k 116600 is where it is at with the SD!!

[JRell]

Sub is iconic. Most people are drawn to the brand because of the sub. The sub is known to be dressed up and down, or to dive with. Those that want a bigger watch go for the SD. I see your point, but don’t think so.

[rambo99]

the bezel on the SD43 is totally different, makes the watch look more balanced and more proportioned. currently I own the hilk and Sd43.

[vh2k]

Great question, OP.

Based on MSRP, the SD43 is 27%+ more expensive than the Sub Date... so the SD43 is well positioned for those willing to spend considerably more for the larger presence.

BUT... given market conditions, the Sub isn’t cheaper. So, price difference is no longer a significant factor. And if the Sub isn’t readily available, customers can move over to the SD43.

In my view, for these reasons, new Sub will make SD43 a more popular choice.

Looking at TT, I don’t like the TT SD. Much prefer the look of the new TT Blue Sub.

[Easy E]

I don’t think the SD43 prices are going to move much, if at all. If you are on the hunt for an SD get it.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by vh2k

Great question, OP.

Based on MSRP, the SD43 is 27%+ more expensive than the Sub Date... so the SD43 is well positioned for those willing to spend considerably more for the larger presence.

BUT... given market conditions, the Sub isn’t cheaper. So, price difference is no longer a significant factor. And if the Sub isn’t readily available, customers can move over to the SD43.

In my view, for these reasons, new Sub will make SD43 a more popular choice.

Looking at TT, I don’t like the TT SD. Much prefer the look of the new TT Blue Sub.

I agree.

[GB-man]

If anything I think the SD43 should relieve some of the headroom for sub prices.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by GB-man

If anything I think the SD43 should relieve some of the headroom for sub prices.

Agreed. They are pretty much the same watch proportion wise now

[rmlovett1]

As someone said before… I think if you’re the person who is interested in the sea dweller, you’ve done your homework, and you know what you want already.
The sub is iconic, and most who are shopping for a new SS sport Rolex will have this top of mind (IMO).....wis and us on TRF are a small bubble.
So I don’t see the new sub eating into the popularity or sales of the SD, especially if your talking about an AD experience where someone off the street goes in to an AD to look/buy an SD...I wouldn’t think a SA will try to talk them into a sub.
I love the submariner, have had several of all metals, and i like 4, 5, & 6 digit references. I’ll never say that I’ll never have one again...I just prefer the SD.
I just like a few things better on the SD models....bigger, more rare,(not that the sub is everywhere, but it’s the one I see the most if I see a sport model Rolex in the wild) and my favorite part...the fully graduated bezel. I now have the currently offered trio of....126660 JC, 126600, 126603
Love them all!

[Rori]

The new sub got the gorgeous proportions the SD43 has but the new sub can’t compete in wrist presence, unless of course its on a wrist smaller than 6.5”.
Calling the new sub a mini SD is not far from true.
Besides dimensions and proportions the SD43 kills the completion with its red line on the matte dial.
The sea dweller line is superior to the sub, nothing will affect it in my opinion.


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[Judge]

Originally Posted by Rori

The new sub got the gorgeous proportions the SD43 has but the new sub can’t compete in wrist presence, unless of course its on a wrist smaller than 6.5”.
Calling the new sub a mini SD is not far from true.
Besides dimensions and proportions the SD43 kills the completion with its red line on the matte dial.
The sea dweller line is superior to the sub, nothing will affect it in my opinion.


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Agree with the last line. Could not be a more accurate statement.

Along with why not step outside of the crowd and not buy the more common Sub.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by dmash

Any SD owners planning on switching to a Sub with the new changes or sticking with what they have?


Curious how others feel about the two.

I can't speak for all, certainly, but there is not one single solitary chance in hell I would ever, EVER, trade it for a sub.

Just my two cents.

[AK797]

I mentioned this before, but my thought was they look similar in terms of their proportions, but size and presence-wise it will be very different to the SD43 as the Subc has not changed much in overall size.

[Alan111]

Originally Posted by dmash

..... A lot here have even mentioned they see the Sub as a ‘Mini SD’ ....

First I’ve ever heard of someone referring to the Submariner as a ‘Mini SD’. More like the Sea Dweller is a supersized Submariner.

Most people don’t even know what a Sea Dweller is.

[Invo]

SD43 TT (126603) can never go wrong. I’ll say go for it, probably you will not regret the choice. I’m just as you between the new Bluesy and TT SD... hard choice but it’s looking that I’m just falling back to the SD.

It’s a watch that looks amazing on pictures... but still my opinion is only based on pictures. Looking forward to see it at the AD soon.