how many loved their SD bought a Deep Sea and loved it even more?

[mlotus95]

I am considering a Deep Sea seadweller. I am wondering about people that went from a Sea Dweller to a Deep Sea and love the new model even more. just looking for some positive and negative feedback.

[Wojtecki]

The DeepSea has become my every day beater. First week it felt big but after that it's perfect.

[red1108nyc]

Big determinant is the size of your wrist. For my tiny 6.5 inch wrist, DSSD looks and feels like a cinder block. No doubt, it is a work of art but for me, the older SD is the way to go. Others may differ in opinion!

[mlotus95]

i have a sea dweller and love it but am considering something bigger. i won't get rid of my SD but want to expand a little. I don't think size is an issue because I am 6' 4" and feel like it might be the perfect fit. I measured my wrist years ago and i think I am about 7 1/4 "

[red1108nyc]

I think for 7 1/4, it will fit you GREAT!

[mlotus95]

Originally Posted by red1108nyc

I think for 7 1/4, it will fit you GREAT!

might have to do it

[Jason71]

I had a couple SDs and bought the DSSD and loved the SDs that much more. The DSSD is 'alright', but IMHO it is not terribly comfortable for a daily watch. I would rather wear my 1665 or one of my 16600s any day.

My 1665 is my favorite.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Jason71

I had a couple SDs and bought the DSSD and loved the SDs that much more. The DSSD is 'alright', but IMHO it is not terribly comfortable for a daily watch. I would rather wear my 1665 or one of my 16600s any day.

My 1665 is my favorite.

Really nice!

[Rashid.bk]

I had a SD and it was okay, but had no wow factor, just history and blah blah blah. To me the skinny hands with it's barely there lume made it easy to rid my self of it and move up to the Deepsea, huge improvement, incredible wow factor.
I see my Deepsea as a huge upgrade compared to the SD.

The Deepsea does become cumbersome at times but I love it, if the SD had a maxi dial and hands it would be my favorite Rolex diver by far.

[Keith1]

I have not owned a SD, but have owned different Subs. After getting the DSSD, it's hard to take this one off!

[subtona]

SD owner.

DSSD is a great looking watch and increased diameter is nicely proportioned,

however, it sits rather high on the wrist and this doesn't work for me.

[dimster]

Originally Posted by subtona

SD owner.

DSSD is a great looking watch and increased diameter is nicely proportioned,

however, it sits rather high on the wrist and this doesn't work for me.

^This and the bracelet tapers and becomes too narrow. Doesn't feel right on my wrist, but then again - I have girly wrists

[TimeToWatch]

I've never understood the DSSD, it's my least favorite model in the rolex lineup. Who is ever going to dive 12000 ft below sea level? To me it looks like a sub that was redesigned by Breitling for the attention seeking crowd who'd like to have a brick on their wrist with a rolex logo as opposed to a watch. Did I mention the DSSD has a ring-lock system? It says it in huge lettering on the rehaut incase I forgot....

[moby33]

Originally Posted by aschneid

I've never understood the DSSD, it's my least favorite model in the rolex lineup. Who is ever going to dive 12000 ft below sea level?

No offense...but I HATE when I hear this argument. The same could be said for a Sub's 1000' rating or the SD 4000' rating. The bottom line, 99.9% of sport divers will NEVER go deeper than approx 150'...bottom time is just too limited and the decompression stops kill the idea of "sport diving". So asking who is going to dive 12,000' in an attempt to knock the DSSD could just as easily be applied to the Sub or SD (yet you don't seem to see that point brought up too often). But I digress and will get back to the topic & the OP.

As a previous owner of a SD (my first Rolex back in 2007), then 2 Sub's (regular & LV), then DSSD (daily watch for almost 3 years), then the SubC, I can tell you, for me, the DSSD was a lot more enjoyable than my SD (but by no means the "perfect watch" seeing as it was eventually replaced full-time by my SubC...but I'm getting ahead of myself).

I purchased the SD as my intro to Rolex because I loved the look of the Sub, yet wanted something a little different. But once on my wrist, the problem I had w/ the SD was the fact that while it's slightly thicker than a Sub, it actually looks a little smaller on the wrist due to the small hands, markers, lack of cyclops & the slight taper of the thicker lens. So I flipped if for a Sub.

The Sub was great, but being an Omega man, I couldn't stand the fact that the small hands & markers had practically zero lume after a limited time in the dark. So I flipped it for the SubLV due to the maxi-dial & bigger hands.

I loved the LV for the reasons stated above, but again, being an Omega man (w/ their amazing clasp build quality, I just couldn't get over the cheap feel of the Sub clasp). I loved all my sport Rolex models so far...watch heads seemed bullet proof, yet those damn clasps felt cheap, almost fake, and I just couldn't move past this personal annoyance. Plus, due to my size, 40mm watches look a little "dainty" on my wrist and I really preferred the look of my 42mm Omega's. So when the DSSD was announced w/ it's bigger case & new Glidelock clasp, I was hooked and bought one the minute they became available.

The first few years of wearing the DSSD daily I thought I had the perfect watch for me. It was larger, which on my wrist looked better proportioned, and the Glidelock was a thing of absolute beauty (and I still contend the micro adjustments WITHOUT removing the watch from your wrist is probably one of the best watch inventions in the last 30 years).

But it wasn't a complete bed of roses with the DSSD. My only major hang-up was the fact that the dial diameter of the DSSD was identical to a Sub. The often ridiculed, much debated "Ring Lock" writing actually didn't really bother me in person; the writing is not very noticeable (pictures seem to accentuate the writing), but there's no denying the ring lock takes away from surface area that I believe should be dedicated to the dial & markers.

That minor irritant, and the fact that there's no doubt it's a thick, tall watch that would interfere with long sleeve shirts & jackets started to annoy me a little more & more into my 3rd year of ownership. When the SubC was announced I thought it was cool, but loved my DSSD and didn't think I would "need" one. But as the above mentioned DSSD annoyances started to bug me more & more, I decided to purchase a SubC just to see what I thought.

WOW...after only a short amount of time the SubC quickly replaced my DSSD as my daily wearer and I haven't looked back (it's been a little over 3 years now). The SubC was so good I decided to sell the DSSD and used the funds to buy a new POC 9300 to appease my "Big Watch" itch when it comes.

I will NEVER part w/ my SubC...as I've said on numerous other threads, to me, the SubC does everything my DSSD did, but in a more comfortable case & the dial-to-case ratio is much better IMO. Another thing I really like about the SubC is the new case w/ it's thicker lugs & more squared, "brutish" crown guards. I know there's a camp of followers that absolutely hates the new 'Super Cased' Subs (and that's fine), but to my eye it makes the 40mm SubC wear a little bigger (it really does come across as a 41-42mm watch) plus I think the block-look gives it a more sports watch feel (where as the previous Sub was more elegant looking).

Elegant is fine, but I wear my dive watches as dive watches...they go w/ me everywhere, above & below the surface. I don't necessarily want elegant when I've got a regulator in my mouth and fins on my feet.

Good luck w/ your decision...if you're itching for the DSSD & anything like me, the itch won't go away until you experience it. If you're in a place to be able to afford both the DSSD and your SD, I would recommend holding onto the SD until you can decide if the DSSD is "the one". If you can't own both, and still really want to try the DSSD, then sell the SD knowing if the DSSD isn't for you, then you'll just have to flip it down the road & buy back your beloved SD. In the end, these watches are not rare and easily found. Sure you won't be able to ever buy a SD new from an AD, but there are still plenty of great LNIB (and probably still BNIB if you look hard enough) SD on the market if you really want to get it back. Good luck.

[Rashid.bk]

Excellent points Moby.

Originally Posted by aschneid

I've never understood the DSSD, it's my least favorite model in the rolex lineup. Who is ever going to dive 12000 ft below sea level? To me it looks like a sub that was redesigned by Breitling for the attention seeking crowd who'd like to have a brick on their wrist with a rolex logo as opposed to a watch. Did I mention the DSSD has a ring-lock system? It says it in huge lettering on the rehaut incase I forgot....

This comment is very hmmm, immature maybe.... Is someone going to dive to 4000' or even the Sub's 1000'. The Deepsea's depth rating isn't about where humans are going but what Rolex can do. How many people have actually even used the He valve on any of the Dwellers.
And to complain about the Ringlock writing is absurd, in real life it's nearly invisible unless you specifically look at your watch to read that tiny text, it's like complaining about the rehaut text on the inner ring of all Rolexes. Huge in macro wrist shots, invisible on the wrist.

The Deepsea is extreme and thick and not for everyone but neither is the SD. Between the two, the Deepsea wins for me by having more checks in the "pros" category. The SD is a great historic Rolex but as Moby pointed out it isn't really even a good tool with it smallish dial, skinny hands, and minuscule lume. I had a hard time reading the dial underwater in a swimming pool doing laps because of the skinny hands, can't imaging if I actually needed to depend on it under foggy ocean water.
For an outright dive tool, if that's the real intent I'd rather an Omega PO2500 or one of the Doxas.

[mailman]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned how comfortable the DSSD is on a Rubber B

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by mailman

I'm surprised no one has mentioned how comfortable the DSSD is on a Rubber B

That's quite true, completely forgot.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by mailman

I'm surprised no one has mentioned how comfortable the DSSD is on a Rubber B

I'm thinking I'm going to have to try that real soon Paulie. I've been talking about getting one for months, so maybe it's time!?!?

As for the topic.
Both watches wear well. For me anyway.... The size of either has never been a problem, nor has the comfort!
I can't say that I love one more than the other, but I will say my DSSD does get slightly more wear. Favoritism maybe, enjoyment from both, equally and definitely!!

[mrallen13]

Originally Posted by moby33

But it wasn't a complete bed of roses with the DSSD. My only major hang-up was the fact that the dial diameter of the DSSD was identical to a Sub. The often ridiculed, much debated "Ring Lock" writing actually didn't really bother me in person; the writing is not very noticeable (pictures seem to accentuate the writing), but there's no denying the ring lock takes away from surface area that I believe should be dedicated to the dial & markers.

That minor irritant, and the fact that there's no doubt it's a thick, tall watch that would interfere with long sleeve shirts & jackets started to annoy me a little more & more into my 3rd year of ownership. When the SubC was announced I thought it was cool, but loved my DSSD and didn't think I would "need" one. But as the above mentioned DSSD annoyances started to bug me more & more, I decided to purchase a SubC just to see what I thought.

It's interesting to hear the specifics of how you fell out of love with your DSSD. I can completely see it happening one day for me. Right now, I still find I "miss" the DSSD when I move back to my Sub, but I have come to terms with the fact that the DSSD can't be an "only" watch; at least not for me.

Between the SD and the DSSD, it would still have to be the DSSD though. Too many upgrades that I really like with the Glidelock probably being first on the list.

Anyway, thanks for the details about your experience.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by mrallen13

It's interesting to hear the specifics of how you fell out of love with your DSSD. I can completely see it happening one day for me. Right now, I still find I "miss" the DSSD when I move back to my Sub, but I have come to terms with the fact that the DSSD can't be an "only" watch; at least not for me.

Between the SD and the DSSD, it would still have to be the DSSD though. Too many upgrades that I really like with the Glidelock probably being first on the list.

Anyway, thanks for the details about your experience.

Yeah...it was an interesting evolution. The first 2 yrs of DSSD ownership & literally NEVER taking it off, I was convinced I would never buy another watch. But almost overnight I started to really get annoyed w/ the obviously small dial surface area compared to the case (don't ask me why it didn't bother me the previous 2 years). And once this annoyance entered my head, the size of the watch when wearing long sleeves and jackets started to irritate me for the first time too (and again, I couldn't get those minor annoyance thoughts out of my head).

I can admit I purchased my SubC with every intention of wearing it for a little while, then either flipping it or putting it away for my oldest son as a college graduation present someday (said son was born when the SubC was introduced at Basel...so I thought the connection would be cool). But as I said...within short order I absolutely fell in love w/ the SubC and stopped wearing the DSSD.

Is yours a Sub or SubC? As a previous owner of 2 Subs, I too can relate that compared to those watches, I would lust for the DSSD. But if you don't have the SubC, you might be surprised at how much you like it if you're such a fan of the DSSD.

IMO, the SubC is unique in that it takes all the positive attributes of the previous Sub, yet incorporates many of the improvements found in the DSSD (maxi-dial, Glidelock, fatter hands, amazing spring loaded ball-bearing ratchet system for the bezel, etc)...yet all in a case/size that is more universal for both sport & formal settings. I always felt my DSSD was a little too "in your face" when I wore it with business attire in the workplace...something I don't feel when I wear my SubC in the same setting.

[RolexDivers]

I got 2 SDs ---But the DSSD is my most attention getting watch...SD is all fine and dandy but DSSD takes it to the next level..nothing like its heft...like comparing a World War II jeep with a HUMVEE...
I hate ceramic inserts but I gladly put up with the DSSD because it is such a hunk of precision chiseled steel~

[tkerrmd]

I have done it. Other than its size it is better (IMO) in every way, and the size was also something I like better

[Rolex57]

First Rolex I ever bought/owned was a brand new Z-Series SD. I liked how big and heavy it was (At the time, it was Rolex' biggest/heaviest watch).

It hadn't even made it to it's second anniversary when in April 2008 at Basel, Rolex released the DSSD.

1 year later I finally got to see on and hold it in my hands. I knew I had to have it. I dumped that SD like a bad habit and bought the DSSD 4 days later.

I haven't missed the SD one bit and have no plans to re-aquire one.

Buying a DSSD was the best decision I ever made.

[toph]

I have wanted to love the DSSD, however the height of the watch and the relatively narrow lug width will just not make it work on my wrist.
I wear 45 and 47mm watches very comfortably but ,personally, the DSSD just isn't one for me

[MortgageGuy]

I loved my 16600 but was never able to continue loving or really fall in love with the 116600. I have had a few of them but I just never had the connection I did with the 16600 and it all came down to the size IMO.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by mlotus95

I am considering a Deep Sea seadweller. I am wondering about people that went from a Sea Dweller to a Deep Sea and love the new model even more. just looking for some positive and negative feedback.

objectively, my dssd is by far the better watch and on the rubber-b, its near perfect for me. i find the bracelet adds more weight than needed and the clasp area is not proportionate with the width of the watch.

subjectively, the sd is closer to my heart and a classic i'll never part with. ever.

yet i can't say the same about my dssd, which is strange bc i now wear my dssd more than any other watch i own but feel i could live without it quite easily.

one major drawback is that ANY rolex you wear after wearing a dssd for a while will seem small and less substantial. just my op but i don;t think i'm alone there.

i still can't figure it out.

[zama]

I dont own either but next to the Daytona wears small this is one of the most common threads on TRF. The DSSD would be too big for me and SD would be a nice to have but am happy with my Sub.

It seems to me having been a casual observer of these threads the biggest call is the height not diameter/bracelet/lugs of the watch. And you either love how thick it is or you eventually walk away because of it. If you were wearing business attire and this was your only watch it seems to cause frustration, if you live casual and are happy with the profile the features seem excellent.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by zama

I dont own either but next to the Daytona wears small this is one of the most common threads on TRF. The DSSD would be too big for me and SD would be a nice to have but am happy with my Sub.

It seems to me having been a casual observer of these threads the biggest call is the height not diameter/bracelet/lugs of the watch. And you either love how thick it is or you eventually walk away because of it. If you were wearing business attire and this was your only watch it seems to cause frustration, if you live casual and are happy with the profile the features seem excellent.

That about summarizes it all right there.

[Baselman]

See Dweller also has PRESENCE on top of all the great features it's a very stunning watch and easily a daily wearer. I don't have big wrist either but once fitted correctly it's sublime how easily the glidelock can be adjusted to suit for a perfect fit.

[RolexDivers]

One really awesome thing about the SD is its thick bezel. When you compare it to the sub's you realize how thicker the SD's bezel is. Also, the SD can not be had anymore, new. So that makes its appeal very high, not to mention that millions of Rolex lovers can weait much easily than the DSSD...

DSSD's appeal is in its mass and heft, but it is a modern watch, no shortage, can get one any time.