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sheldonsmith · 4 January 2015, 02:04 PM

Rolex SeaDweller 4000 & Rolex Explorer II 216570

2014 was the year Rolex unveiled some surprises including the re-introduction of an old classic, the Rolex SeaDweller 4000. Originally launched in 1967 as a watch developed for depths and conditions greater than the industry standard Rolex Submariner, the Rolex SeaDweller 4000 possessed functions and design elements that made it different from the Submariner. Just as how Rolex collaborated with Pan American Airlines on the development of the Rolex GMT, Rolex collaborated with COMEX S.A. to design a professional diving watch for depths beyond recreational SCUBA levels. Fast forward to 2008 and the Rolex SeaDweller was discontinued with the unveiling of the Rolex DeepSea SeaDweller (DSSD), Rolex deep-water professional diving watch.

Speed forward to 2014 and Rolex's re-introduction of the Rolex SD4000 brings a dive watch that can be worn everyday (unlike the DSSD) yet has features setting it apart from the Submariner including the classic lines and design ethos that the first 1976 SeaDweller possessed.

Looking at the SD4000 and Rolex's other renaissance watch, the Explorer II 216570 illustrates the simlarities and differences between them that make these both great everyday wearer sport / professional wristwatches.

The Rolex SD4000 (left) and Rolex Explorer II (right) are both made of 904L stainless steel exclusively. There are no platinum or gold counterparts to these watches and are positioned in the Rolex line as bona-fide tool watches. The SD4000 and Explorer II 216570 keep the classic lines as their older brothers without the boxy re-design found on the updated Submariners and GMTs.

Both made of 904L stainless steel, the SD4000 and Explorer II comparative proportions match their intended use. The Explorer II is designed for both AM and PM visibility with its larger 42mm face, larger indicies, and larger hands that hold more Chromolight luminova for longer lasting glowing at night.

The SD4000 is designed for water pressure and subsequently has a smaller traditional 40mm watch face, traditional 20 mm lug width (2mm narrower than the Exp II), thicker Triplock crown, thicker caseback, and thicker crystal.

I have more images and more to the review / comparison at http://www.minus4plus6.com/SD4000.htm

All errors are mine, so feel free to point them out.

-Sheldon

Nycturbovr6 · 4 January 2015, 02:38 PM

Nice! Thanks for sharing

Laszlo · 4 January 2015, 03:26 PM

Great write up, beautiful watch!

Kevin.S · 4 January 2015, 03:32 PM

Both awesome watches!

tkerrmd · 4 January 2015, 03:40 PM

Great watch and write up!

sea-dweller · 4 January 2015, 03:45 PM

Great review!

Grail · 4 January 2015, 03:53 PM

16600 is my favorite and the ceramic is just that much better!

DCheeta · 4 January 2015, 04:32 PM

Great review, thanks! Two of my favorites, my wrist knows them both very well. Your comparisons and observations are spot-on.

Mezz72 · 4 January 2015, 04:52 PM

great review Sheldon, just what I was looking for to decide on whether to get a SD4000!

Degas · 4 January 2015, 05:41 PM

Great review!

Hairdude1 · 4 January 2015, 05:41 PM

Great review!

Karbo · 4 January 2015, 06:11 PM

Brilliant
SDC is my daily wearer !

bbressler · 4 January 2015, 06:25 PM

Always enjoy your articles Sheldon. Did you get rid of your GMTs for these two? They make a great pair btw

watchstudent · 4 January 2015, 07:12 PM

nice, thanks for that.

I like that the reintroduction of the SD4000 possibly represents that Rolex do at least sometimes listen to what watch lovers want, maybe...

travisb · 4 January 2015, 09:23 PM

Nice write up! Congrats on the 116600!

Psmith · 4 January 2015, 09:32 PM

Nice review Sheldon

GerardoG · 4 January 2015, 10:25 PM

Thank you for sharing!

brettpaul · 4 January 2015, 10:31 PM

Congrats - great write-ups and watches!!

Marcela · 4 January 2015, 10:36 PM

Congratulations on these most perfect watches, and thank you for your review :-)

Spoonage · 4 January 2015, 11:09 PM

Great review.

Urosfan · 4 January 2015, 11:11 PM

Good review

Racerdj · 4 January 2015, 11:11 PM

Congratulations! Nice write up too.

fishingbear · 4 January 2015, 11:17 PM

Thanks for sharing your always great write ups.

roadie1 · 5 January 2015, 12:11 AM

Very nice!

paramednick · 5 January 2015, 12:17 AM

Great review on two great watches!

brandrea · 5 January 2015, 12:34 AM

Congratulations, and nicely written!

watchwatcher · 5 January 2015, 01:00 AM

Nicely done, Sheldon. Thanks!

kilyung · 5 January 2015, 01:01 AM

Congrats on a fantastic watch

joli160 · 5 January 2015, 01:05 AM

Nice review, great watches.

MTROIS · 5 January 2015, 01:16 AM

I tried the SD on a few times and I must say that it is an amazing piece!!!
Felt so solid and sturdy due to its hefty weight. I also really enjoyed the domed glass, the matte dial, the He valve on the side of the case, the engraving on the case back, the date indicator and the fact that it has no cyclop, which makes it fly a bit more under the radar than your typical Sub.
This would surely be my pick for a diver watch... Even ahead of the Fifty Fathoms.

4 January 2015, 02:04 PM	#1
sheldonsmith 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Member 202♛ Posts: 1,815	New Year, New Watch (SD4000), and a new Review Rolex SeaDweller 4000 & Rolex Explorer II 216570 2014 was the year Rolex unveiled some surprises including the re-introduction of an old classic, the Rolex SeaDweller 4000. Originally launched in 1967 as a watch developed for depths and conditions greater than the industry standard Rolex Submariner, the Rolex SeaDweller 4000 possessed functions and design elements that made it different from the Submariner. Just as how Rolex collaborated with Pan American Airlines on the development of the Rolex GMT, Rolex collaborated with COMEX S.A. to design a professional diving watch for depths beyond recreational SCUBA levels. Fast forward to 2008 and the Rolex SeaDweller was discontinued with the unveiling of the Rolex DeepSea SeaDweller (DSSD), Rolex deep-water professional diving watch. Speed forward to 2014 and Rolex's re-introduction of the Rolex SD4000 brings a dive watch that can be worn everyday (unlike the DSSD) yet has features setting it apart from the Submariner including the classic lines and design ethos that the first 1976 SeaDweller possessed. Looking at the SD4000 and Rolex's other renaissance watch, the Explorer II 216570 illustrates the simlarities and differences between them that make these both great everyday wearer sport / professional wristwatches. The Rolex SD4000 (left) and Rolex Explorer II (right) are both made of 904L stainless steel exclusively. There are no platinum or gold counterparts to these watches and are positioned in the Rolex line as bona-fide tool watches. The SD4000 and Explorer II 216570 keep the classic lines as their older brothers without the boxy re-design found on the updated Submariners and GMTs. Both made of 904L stainless steel, the SD4000 and Explorer II comparative proportions match their intended use. The Explorer II is designed for both AM and PM visibility with its larger 42mm face, larger indicies, and larger hands that hold more Chromolight luminova for longer lasting glowing at night. The SD4000 is designed for water pressure and subsequently has a smaller traditional 40mm watch face, traditional 20 mm lug width (2mm narrower than the Exp II), thicker Triplock crown, thicker caseback, and thicker crystal. I have more images and more to the review / comparison at http://www.minus4plus6.com/SD4000.htm All errors are mine, so feel free to point them out. -Sheldon __________________

4 January 2015, 03:26 PM	#3
Laszlo 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Watch: Date & No Date Posts: 10,868	Great write up, beautiful watch! __________________ "You might as well question why we breathe. If we stop breathing, we'll die. If we stop fighting our enemies, the world will die." Paul Henreid as Victor Laszlo in Casablanca

4 January 2015, 05:41 PM	#11
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Great review! __________________ Instagram: @Hairdude Watches in Collection 5070R, 5522A, 214270 MK1, 228238 16750, 26401, 5711, 116718, 116710LN, 116300, 16710"Coke", 372, 15300, 15703 (All Flipped) Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member 'WIS-CON' Las Vegas Int'l GTG 2018

4 January 2015, 06:11 PM	#12
Karbo "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Paris, France Watch: Dayto/5164 Posts: 1,631	Brilliant SDC is my daily wearer ! __________________ IG : @aka_karbo

4 January 2015, 09:32 PM	#16
Psmith "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Clive Location: Exoplanet Watch: spring-driven Posts: 38,856	Nice review Sheldon __________________

4 January 2015, 02:38 PM	#2
Nycturbovr6 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: New York Posts: 7,630	Nice! Thanks for sharing

4 January 2015, 03:32 PM	#4
Kevin.S 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maine Watch: All of them Posts: 1,376	Both awesome watches!

4 January 2015, 03:40 PM	#5
tkerrmd "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Tom Location: In a race car! Watch: ME RACE PORSCHES Posts: 24,123	Great watch and write up!

4 January 2015, 03:45 PM	#6
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Great review!

4 January 2015, 03:53 PM	#7
Grail "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Real Name: Matthew Location: Boston Watch: 16600 Posts: 329	16600 is my favorite and the ceramic is just that much better!

4 January 2015, 04:32 PM	#8
DCheeta "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Dave Location: NYC Posts: 7,181	Great review, thanks! Two of my favorites, my wrist knows them both very well. Your comparisons and observations are spot-on.

4 January 2015, 04:52 PM	#9
Mezz72 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Singapore Posts: 618	great review Sheldon, just what I was looking for to decide on whether to get a SD4000!

4 January 2015, 05:41 PM	#10
Degas "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Middle Posts: 878	Great review!

4 January 2015, 06:25 PM	#13
bbressler "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Texas Watch: Exp, GMTII, Sub Posts: 1,184	Always enjoy your articles Sheldon. Did you get rid of your GMTs for these two? They make a great pair btw

4 January 2015, 07:12 PM	#14
watchstudent "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: SW England Watch: Sub and a Speedy Posts: 368	nice, thanks for that. I like that the reintroduction of the SD4000 possibly represents that Rolex do at least sometimes listen to what watch lovers want, maybe...

4 January 2015, 09:23 PM	#15
travisb 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Travis Location: FL / NYC Watch: Yes.. Posts: 33,405	Nice write up! Congrats on the 116600!

4 January 2015, 10:25 PM	#17
GerardoG Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Real Name: Gerardo Location: Here Watch: ALL of them Posts: 32,098	Thank you for sharing!

4 January 2015, 10:31 PM	#18
brettpaul "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Brett Location: Bahrain, Dubai Watch: Rolex and AP Posts: 5,538	Congrats - great write-ups and watches!! __________________ Photostream on Instagram brett_in_bahrain

4 January 2015, 10:36 PM	#19
Marcela "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,473	Congratulations on these most perfect watches, and thank you for your review :-)

4 January 2015, 11:09 PM	#20
Spoonage 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: California Posts: 3,130	Great review.

4 January 2015, 11:11 PM	#21
Urosfan "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NYC Watch: Me now Posts: 19,372	Good review

4 January 2015, 11:11 PM	#22
Racerdj 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indianapolis Watch: Patek-Philippe Posts: 16,832	Congratulations! Nice write up too. __________________ Rolex and Patek Philippe

4 January 2015, 11:17 PM	#23
fishingbear 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: George Location: Alabama Watch: GMTsSubLVEx2SDDayt Posts: 4,540	Thanks for sharing your always great write ups.

5 January 2015, 12:11 AM	#24
roadie1 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southeast Watch: Divers, GMT Posts: 2,149	Very nice!

5 January 2015, 12:17 AM	#25
paramednick "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Real Name: Nick Location: Wisconsin Watch: Vintage DJ Posts: 14	Great review on two great watches!

5 January 2015, 12:34 AM	#26
brandrea 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 77,738	Congratulations, and nicely written!

5 January 2015, 01:00 AM	#27
watchwatcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: Kentucky Watch: Yes Posts: 34,996	Nicely done, Sheldon. Thanks!

5 January 2015, 01:01 AM	#28
kilyung 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cave Watch: Sundial Posts: 33,940	Congrats on a fantastic watch

5 January 2015, 01:05 AM	#29
joli160 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NL Watch: Yachtmaster Posts: 14,736	Nice review, great watches. __________________ Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711.

5 January 2015, 01:16 AM	#30
MTROIS Banned Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: USA Posts: 479	I tried the SD on a few times and I must say that it is an amazing piece!!! Felt so solid and sturdy due to its hefty weight. I also really enjoyed the domed glass, the matte dial, the He valve on the side of the case, the engraving on the case back, the date indicator and the fact that it has no cyclop, which makes it fly a bit more under the radar than your typical Sub. This would surely be my pick for a diver watch... Even ahead of the Fifty Fathoms.

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