Possible that DeepSea is not replacing Seadweller?

[DBetts]

Hi all:

This could be a total stretch but as I have put the DSSD under 20 microscopes (figuratively speaking of course) prior to purchasing, I keep noticing that that it reads "Deep Sea" in addition to "Sea Dweller". Is it at all possible that Rolex could have produced the DSSD as simply an amped up version of the SD and that the SD will continue to exist on it's own? Quite possible I'm losing my mind but the thought did occur....

[Zirotti]

The SD is already no longer being produced. It isn't even on Rolex's site anymore.

[DBetts]

Fair enough - wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for the feedback.

[Speedmeister]

Sea Dweller.. Don't think it's coming back.

I have a theory that eventually they will drop the Sea Dweller name on the dial all together so it just reads Deep Sea. Remember the Submariner 2000?
Just a wild A$$ theory...

What would be cool though is for them to up the depth rating on the regular subs to 2000 or 4000 ft and then there won't be as big a gap in the line...

No offense to Sub owners, I have a lot of respect for the watch and it is legendary but the 300m depth rating is kinda pathetic nowadays.. especially for what it costs... just sayin...

[Speedmeister]

Before I get attacked for dissing the sub.. I love it and it's a classic but it's 2010 and there is a lot of competition. With Rolex revamping their line, I think a depth increase is in order to go along with the inevitable price increase.

It wouldn't be the first time the depth rating has been increased on the sub...

[Clogger]

Originally Posted by Speedmeister

Sea Dweller.. Don't think it's coming back.

I have a theory that eventually they will drop the Sea Dweller name on the dial all together so it just reads Deep Sea. Remember the Submariner 2000?
Just a wild A$$ theory...

What would be cool though is for them to up the depth rating on the regular subs to 2000 or 4000 ft and then there won't be as big a gap in the line...

No offense to Sub owners, I have a lot of respect for the watch and it is legendary but the 300m depth rating is kinda pathetic nowadays.. especially for what it costs... just sayin...

Ref the depth rating,

Why would you need a depth rating greater than 300M??

[Speedmeister]

Originally Posted by Clogger

Ref the depth rating,

Why would you need a depth rating greater than 300M??

For saturation diving of course

Seriously though... dive watch depths have become a pi$$ing contest and with Omega's PO at 2000ft and EVERY other brand making a 300m watch (some in the low 100$ range), the Sub is just not the impressive engineering feat it once was.

Rolex is trading on pure image getting 5k for a 300m stainless watch. If they plan on charging even more I think that they may start to lose sales to Omega and others.

It's also a pretty big gap between 3900m and 300m. I think it would be a good strategy for Rolex to get rid of the regular Sea Dweller and bump the depth on the sub.. for no other reason than consumer perception.

[ayres]

i'm not sure that is a legitimate concern for rolex. besides, further reinforcement of the watch would warrant additional price hikes further than what is already expected. also, rolex scoffs at the notion that they be reactionary to what else is happening in the watch market (cough, larger cases, cough).

but okay, it's 2010... what other competition is there that warrants increasing depth rating?

and let's say that rolex did feel threatened by the supposed depth increases in the high-end watch market (that apparently the deep sea does not take care of). what modifications would you do to bump up the depth rating?

[Clogger]

Originally Posted by Speedmeister

For saturation diving of course

Seriously though... dive watch depths have become a pi$$ing contest and with Omega's PO at 2000ft and EVERY other brand making a 300m watch (some in the low 100$ range), the Sub is just not the impressive engineering feat it once was.

Rolex is trading on pure image getting 5k for a 300m stainless watch. If they plan on charging even more I think that they may start to lose sales to Omega and others.

It's also a pretty big gap between 3900m and 300m. I think it would be a good strategy for Rolex to get rid of the regular Sea Dweller and bump the depth on the sub.. for no other reason than consumer perception.

The last Diving job I was on we were doing Sat Diving at 25 MSW.

[Speedmeister]

Originally Posted by ayres

i'm not sure that is a legitimate concern for rolex. besides, further reinforcement of the watch would warrant additional price hikes further than what is already expected. also, rolex scoffs at the notion that they be reactionary to what else is happening in the watch market (cough, larger cases, cough).

but okay, it's 2010... what other competition is there that warrants increasing depth rating?

and let's say that rolex did feel threatened by the supposed depth increases in the high-end watch market (that apparently the deep sea does not take care of). what modifications would you do to bump up the depth rating?

The sub started at 100m then went to 200m and now 300m so it wouldn't be the first time they "improved" it.

Obviously consumers think the Rolex line is getting long in the tooth or they wouldn't be rolling out these larger cases.

I have no idea how they achieve these depth ratings as I am not a watch maker but the regular SD is good for 4000 ft with a small case so to my layman reasoning a beefier case should (along with other hidden improvements) translate to a higher depth rating for the regular sub.

Omega's PO is a solid competitor at 2000ft.. the Breitling superocean at 5000.. etc.

I'm not saying anyone needs more than 300m just that when people lay their money down, a higher depth rating may be seen as superior. This is obviously the whole point of the Deep Sea.

[valentine]

a ceramic sea dweller?? hmmm. maybe a big surprise from rolex? 40 mm sub ceramic and ceramic sea dweller???

[layne]

Originally Posted by Speedmeister

The sub started at 100m then went to 200m and now 300m so it wouldn't be the first time they "improved" it.

I have no idea how they achieve these depth ratings as I am not a watch maker but the regular SD is good for 4000 ft with a small case so to my layman reasoning a beefier case should (along with other hidden improvements) translate to a higher depth rating for the regular sub.

I'm not saying anyone needs more than 300m just that when people lay their money down, a higher depth rating may be seen as superior. This is obviously the whole point of the Deep Sea.

If Rolex increased the subs depth rating to 600m as you say they would probably need to put a Gas escape valve on it too - i dont think they'd want to do that.

[Zirotti]

I have a 1000m Boschett diver that doesn't have an He valve.

[Speedmeister]

Originally Posted by layne

If Rolex increased the subs depth rating to 600m as you say they would probably need to put a Gas escape valve on it too - i dont think they'd want to do that.

I think they should. They invented it after all. It's time that it trickled down. The Sea-Dweller started as the Submariner 2000 after all.

I know it's all blasphemy to the purists but these are things I think would be good for Rolex in the long run... better than fatter lugs and ceramic IMO.

I am sad that they are changing the sub but I think instead of just changing it for the sake of change they should soup up the specs at least while they are at it. They're definitely going to soup up the price.

[Singslinger]

I can see where Speedmeister is coming from because even though very few people actually dive to 300m or 1,000ft, a larger depth rating is perceived to mean the watch is tougher, or better engineered, or offers greater bang for your buck.

However, even though it might make commercial sense for Rolex to raise the Sub's specs, I can't see them doing it any time soon because they've just released the ceramic versions which are all rated to 300m.

Then again, who knows? It'll be interesting to see what new models will be released at Basel next month....

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

The SD is already no longer being produced. It isn't even on Rolex's site anymore.

The DSSD replaced SD's slot in ROlex site. So I would say the SD is being replaced by the DSSD. SAd but true.

[everose]

I feel the SD (or something else maybe a Sub II) will make some sort of a comeback in the future.The Milgauss did it,so why not??!!!!

Sub-300m
SDDS-3900m

There is now nothing inbetween....which seems to me to be a pretty BIG gap.

I appreciate most people would never venture beyond 300m.However many people who buy these watches do not dive at all. If only divers purchased the Submariner its sales figures would only have been a small fraction of what it actually is.


I think Rolex will not resist the marketing opportunities of a 1000/1500m dive watch for too long.

At the end of the day its about selling watches people WANT.


Just my 2c

[Fiery]

Originally Posted by everose

At the end of the day its about selling watches people WANT.

Not really. Rolex is an exception from that hard rule of marketing. I think a lot of people would want to buy a Rolex chronograph with date, but there's no any. A lot of people would buy a SS or TT Day-Date, but there's no such thing. A lot of people would love to get an option for other dial colours for Explorer I, Sub, GMT IIC, but only black is available. Etc. etc...

But I agree with the theory of the WR gap between the Sub and the DeepSea is wide enough that an updated Sea-Dweller would perfectly fit in.

[Deyn Man]

Originally Posted by everose

I feel the SD (or something else maybe a Sub II) will make some sort of a comeback in the future.The Milgauss did it,so why not??!!!!

x2
maybe...

[Jackxv]

The submariner is guaranteed 300m but propably possible to 400m.

The submariner watch was equipped with a helium valve earlier (yes)

I don't think there's a big gap between the Sub and the SDDS, the last one is engineered for the pro's. The Sub is semi-pro

For the cost of the Sub, yes it's expensive but werth every penny if you consider durability and resale value.

The sub will move to the line of dressy watches more and more because of the SDDS.


Jack