Uncomfortable Sea Dweller 43?

[DJFanUK]

Back in Jan 2022 I managed to purchase what I thought was my dream Rolex diver, the SD43.

It looked perfect on my flat 7.25 wrist and wore it as my daily for a good 8 months.

After a short while thou I started to notice that I was having to wear it so tight to stop it feeling a little wobbly and top heavy. I read numerous treads with owners saying the same thing and many other stating the total opposite. But for me it was just to uncomfortable

I had already removed the divers extension, which helped but there was a constant nagging feeling that it just wasnt comfortable for me personally. In vain, I continued to wear it, thinking that I'd just used to it but unfortunately not, so it dat unworn for several months. I don't have the cash to leave a 10k watch sitting unused so I tried to find a replacement.

I went to a large AD and was able to try on several divers,and found that the DSSD was more comfortable on wrist due to the flatter case back unlike the SD43. I was tempted to go that route but the overall size and thickness was an issue for day to day wear with a shirt cuff.

I went to my own AD and they offered to buy it back from my for what I paid for it from them and offered my a 41mm Sub date when they could allocate me one.

3 weeks later, I'm now the proud owner of that sub and I couldn't be happier with it.

Just goes to show that until you experience something regardless of visible preferences or the preferences or opinions of others, you just don't know how a watch will really wear.

[Little machines]

Congratulations on the Sub! Great it worked out!

[JDA0779]

Absolutely. As a merchant marine captain working at sea, the SD43 was my dream. Got it and worr it for 8 months and sold it and got the Sub LV. The SD43 is an awesome watch but just too heavy for me for daily use.
Congrats!

[B2 Stealth]

My SD43 is my most comfortable watch. I was concerned about how it wore when I read about all the issues others have had. Congrats on the Sub!

[OG1982]

Nicely done. No point settling for a watch which is uncomfortable.

I also have the new version Sub and it wears perfectly on my 7.25 inch wrist. It's a very comfortable watch.

[Pboned]

Glade to hear the AD assisted! Enjoy your new Sub!

[travisb]

Glad you found the solution. Congratulations!

[DJFanUK]

Yes the AD was excellent to be honest. Extremely fair in their process to buy the watch back and offer an alternative.

The SD43 was well used and showed marks and wear which the AD really appreciated in a way, as they knew it hadn't been bought to stick in a safe.

A lot is said about the AD relationship and it's true, and it works both ways.

So relieved to get a diver back on the wrist

[Agamemnon]

I too have an SD43 but find it very comfortable on the wrist.
The important thing is that you have found the solution.

[1st amg]

Your lucky to have such an AD, do not let them go!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Your lucky to have such an AD, do not let them go!

I was thinking the same

[brandrea]

Congratulations on the Submariner OP

I have the same issue with my SD43. I sold mine on to another forum member here and then I bought it back about 2years ago …

I love the watch in every way except for comfort, but I just had to have it back. Go figure

[Driver8]

The SD43 is a big, thick and reasonably heavy watch with a protruding caseback, so its comfort is far more dependent than many other models on your wrist shape, how loose or tight you wear it, and whether you can get the perfect fit or not.

Personally speaking, it wasn't the most comfortable piece I've owned, but it wasn't that bad either. But there's no doubting I find the Sub case far easier to live with.

[Kenny G]

Originally Posted by Driver8

The SD43 is a big, thick and reasonably heavy watch with a protruding caseback, so its comfort is far more dependent than many other models on your wrist shape, how loose or tight you wear it, and whether you can get the perfect fit or not.

Personally speaking, it wasn't the most comfortable piece I've owned, but it wasn't that bad either. But there's no doubting I find the Sub case far easier to live with.

This 100%.

Glad it worked out with the sub in the end OP.

I find those watches wear the best on wrists well over 7” and due to the thickness of the watch and larger protruding casebacks, they don’t wear well unless you also have fleshy wrists….if they’re boney, it’ll teeter-totter back and forth like a top heavy puck on your wrist.

[Kongelunden]

Congratulations. Happy that everything worked out in the end.

[Bassy]

Great story! Very lucky to get the best outcome, well done. Keep that AD, they’re really good to you.

[gnardex]

excellent watches (both) and excellent AD!!!
Happy to know you solved your problem.
I have also a SD43 and a Sub (16610). I prefer the SD on wrist,
although I confess that you feel the weight, but it does not bother me.
congrats!

[1William]

Congratulations. I own a 114060, an LV Hulk, a SD43 and the DSSD JC. The SD43 and the DSSD JC take a bit to get use to wearing. It is the size and the weight but also the visual. Once I am use to them though they all work for me. The SD43 is the one that would probably stay right now if I had to choose. Visual and size/wear wise it works the best for me.

[skipstar]

Glad it worked out for you, I love my Subs

[Mystro]

That was my experience as well with the SD43. It’s the only watch my wrist hated as the case back was too raised. The DSSD JC was more comfortable but in the end the Sub is really the right Rolex dive watch for me.

[amh]

Happy ending!

I'll guess this discomfort is related to wrist shape - some people like the SD43, some don't. It was my daily for ~5 years, now I just happen to have a couple other models to wear. I find the SD totally comfortable but it certainly carries more heft. 7.5" wrist FWIW.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by amh

Happy ending!

I'll guess this discomfort is related to wrist shape - some people like the SD43, some don't. It was my daily for ~5 years, now I just happen to have a couple other models to wear. I find the SD totally comfortable but it certainly carries more heft. 7.5" wrist FWIW.

I wish it would have worked out for me as I love the larger design and would have kept it and added a Sub. I tinkered with every bracelet link possibility but the caseback would apply pressure to a nerve that would put my hand to sleep. I even went to see a friend/doctor about it and it was just that pressure point of the raised case back. Turns out this is pretty common with this particular watch for many of us when it first was released.

[samson66]

Every wrist is different. I've had my SD43 for over five years and find it extremely comfortable. I've never experienced even a moment of discomfort. Other people have opposite experiences. Sometimes our wrist doesn't cooperate with what our eyes want. Glad you found the watch that works for you.

[Unclebuck]

I love my Omega Planet Ocean but have the same experience. It slides around on my wrist unless I wear it tight. I kept it, but my daily wear is a much lighter skin diver type from Seiko.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Unclebuck

I love my Omega Planet Ocean but have the same experience. It slides around on my wrist unless I wear it tight. I kept it, but my daily wear is a much lighter skin diver type from Seiko.

Yup, my big POC did the same thing but the sapphire case back was large and flat. The watch was heavier than my DSSD JC which created its own issues. It’s a journey.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Yup, my big POC did the same thing but the sapphire case back was large and flat. The watch was heavier than my DSSD JC which created its own issues. It’s a journey.

Great side by side comparison

[Rosie39j]

Same re comfort of my SD43, maybe made worse by having it on a rubber strap. Definitely top heavy. May sell it. My Datejust 41 is much more comfortable, and my Explorer 2 is by far the most comfortable watch I’ve ever owned…

[DJFanUK]

Originally Posted by Rosie39j

Same re comfort of my SD43, maybe made worse by having it on a rubber strap. Definitely top heavy. May sell it. My Datejust 41 is much more comfortable, and my Explorer 2 is by far the most comfortable watch I’ve ever owned…

My Exp ii is also my most comfortable watch in the collection.

[eonflux]

Originally Posted by DJFanUK

Back in Jan 2022 I managed to purchase what I thought was my dream Rolex diver, the SD43.

It looked perfect on my flat 7.25 wrist and wore it as my daily for a good 8 months.

After a short while thou I started to notice that I was having to wear it so tight to stop it feeling a little wobbly and top heavy. I read numerous treads with owners saying the same thing and many other stating the total opposite. But for me it was just to uncomfortable

I had already removed the divers extension, which helped but there was a constant nagging feeling that it just wasnt comfortable for me personally. In vain, I continued to wear it, thinking that I'd just used to it but unfortunately not, so it dat unworn for several months. I don't have the cash to leave a 10k watch sitting unused so I tried to find a replacement.

I went to a large AD and was able to try on several divers,and found that the DSSD was more comfortable on wrist due to the flatter case back unlike the SD43. I was tempted to go that route but the overall size and thickness was an issue for day to day wear with a shirt cuff.

I went to my own AD and they offered to buy it back from my for what I paid for it from them and offered my a 41mm Sub date when they could allocate me one.

3 weeks later, I'm now the proud owner of that sub and I couldn't be happier with it.

Just goes to show that until you experience something regardless of visible preferences or the preferences or opinions of others, you just don't know how a watch will really wear.

Takes at least several weeks and more likely several months of wearing a watch to really know if it works for you.

Glad you got what works best for you.

[LostAggie]

Glad it worked out with your AD. I like the presence of the SD43 more than the SubD so it worth and size/weight… The SubD is just small on my same size wrist. I am also 6’1” and over 200lbs.


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