SD 4000 vs DSSD

[kudosguy]

If you had the option, which would you choose and why?

Thanks guys.

[ArizonaHD]

I'd take the SD 4000, it has better collectability, a better price, is more practical, is not too big. The DSSD is trying to be super sized, its not a Panerai. The DSSD has demonstrated some initial quality problems relating to the fit and finish of the back.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by kudosguy

If you had the option, which would you choose and why?

Thanks guys.

Would definitely be the SD 4000 its the classic Rolex far cheaper that the other DSSD.And will IMHO if ever used for diving would be more than enough rated for now or future.The DSSD is a lot of money for a rated watch that you will never ever need.Its basically the same movement as the SD except for the over hyped IMO parachrome hair spring.So it all boils down to paying a lot of money for the DSSD technology that you will never need,and a larger case and thats about it in reality.

[gone-rolex-mad]

I agree with the above. The SD 4000 is a great little watch, The DSSD has some huge boots to fill and IMHO its not doing a great job.

[asadtiger]

SD was always a great watch and now it will become a legend..I dont want to offend any DSSD owners..I humbly desire SD more.

[hflee55]

I actually like both the SD & the DSSD. But, if I have to make a choice of only 1, my vote goes to the SD. It's a legendary watch. In all fairness, the DSSD is a newbie, & it goes without saying that it has some pretty big shoes to fill. Only time will tell if the DSSD measures up.

[JimSnyder]

I would be a very Happy Camper with a SD More than I could ever ask for

[dazzpowder]

2 very different watches the SD is classic, timeless, subtle, SDDS new design based on an old design but it it's proportions make it a different watch all together, if you could only have one the SD is more everyday versatile but the SDDS makes a great second watch, nothing in the Rolex line up has such presence.

[CPTL]

Originally Posted by padi56

Would definitely be the SD 4000 its the classic Rolex far cheaper that the other DSSD.And will IMHO if ever used for diving would be more than enough rated for now or future.The DSSD is a lot of money for a rated watch that you will never ever need.Its basically the same movement as the SD except for the over hyped IMO parachrome hair spring.So it all boils down to paying a lot of money for the DSSD technology that you will never need,and a larger case and thats about it in reality.

For that logic, why not a 16610. Who among us has ever been below 1000 ft?

[Mr Sandman]

The SD gets my vote and I have one to boot

The DSSD is too big,too brash and too darned expensive and is a long way off being the 'must have' in any Rolex collection IMO.

I love my SD and all my other Rolex come to that as they all have the classic shape of the case.The SD just does'nt float my boat at all

[Randy]

SD 4000 for many reasons:
Will be out of production soon.
True classic.
Fits better on a 7 inch wrist.
Good luck on your decision!

[JLSmith]

SD - ordered a DSSD when it was first announced but cancelled it when I saw one and tried it on and decided to stick with my SD.

[ippon20]

SD4000 for me...but I'm just a whittle guy! I can't handle that much of a hunk of metal on my arm, for some other guys though...I would say a DSSD is a good call.

[barstoolman]

SD for me as well. I've tried on the DSSD........don't get me wrong.....this is one spectacular watch its just that the $9,000 plus price tag seems way too much for a diving watch

[Beecher]

Originally Posted by CPTL

For that logic, why not a 16610. Who among us has ever been below 1000 ft?

I got my 16610 wet in the sink once, does that count? hahah

Yeah, I would go for the SD as well. I looked at a SDDS, and it is huge! HUGE! The SD is almost the same as the subdate (16610), but a little thicker and without the cyclops. I almost bought a SD myself, but decided the subdate. Now, i couldnt imagine living without the the cyclops, and the the lack of the cyclops is what lead me to the SD in the first place.

Sure, I can understand your desire to be different and get the SD over a Sub, its only a few hundred extra right. I know alot of people wear a Sub in the Rolex world, but it all honesty, how many people in general wear a Sub (or any Rolex for that matter). Dont get the SD if you only want it to be different.

All that said, I would love to get a SD down the line. The valve is just so cool, but it would be more like 4 watches down the line (if i ever get that kind of money, hahah).

But in all, get what you want, I know there are people on here that hate the cyclops so much (which is what lead most people to the SD) that they removed it from their sub. So if your going to be one of those people, start off with the SD, rather than change the Sub. You will be happy either way, and will think about what ever one you didnt get for a long time to come, its natural.

Beecher

good luck

[milspec]

Originally Posted by CPTL

For that logic, why not a 16610. Who among us has ever been below 1000 ft?

A 1000ft? I bet you 99% of SUB owners don't even know how to swim, let alone dive. The 1% who do know how to swim, 99% of those haven't been below 10ft ...

[chazha]

Personally I prefer SD. I even like SD more than Submariner. Its a tough but classic watch with a better and more solid case than Sub. Now it is discountinued and the value will raise slowly in the incoming years!

SDDS is just too much for me and I think Rolex took a wrong step here to introduce this model. ORIGINAL GAS VALVE around the dial is just looking stupid imo.

SD for sure.

[kudosguy]

Thanks for the responses guys, I will keep you informed of my decision.

[Singslinger]

If you have to make a decision now, then I guess it would be the SD 4000 for all the reasons given above. But don't be too hasty in writing off the Deep Sea. If it looks and feels good to you, then go for it - provided of course, the piece you try on has none of the quality issues previously highlighted in TRF.

These would include an overly flexible caseback and a possibly loose bezel. A third issue of course, is price - when first issued, it sold for a premium but this has gradually disappeared over time.

I can honestly say as an SD4000 owner myself that I would buy a Deep Sea at the drop of a hat if not for these concerns.

[wristworks]

Get the Deepsea. It is a better watch. Better lume (Chromalight). Better (ceramic) (sprung)bezel with platinum markers. Better (maxi) dial. Better bracelet. Better clasp.

Try both on and you will find, as I did, that the SD4000 feels cheap when compared to the Deepsea. Forget about never using the water resistance - which by the way, is 5000m. You will never use the 4000ft of the SD4000 either so it's not an argument you should use to decide between the two watches.

One person said there have been quality issues with the Deepsea. Let me tell you that on the 3 forums I use if have only seen one person mention this and he has not supplied any photos. The Deepsea is probably the best made, most engineered watch Rolex has ever made. It is an upgrade to the SD4000. Plus, when you're out and about in Sheffield, Leeds, or York, you'll be less likely to see someone else wearing the Deepsea.

[Arrows58]

I was waiting to get a Deepsea but in December I fell in love with the SD4000,I mean the watch sang to me and I bought one on the spot. All I can say is Buy one...

Think of it like this, a modern Jag is a great car, better than an E type, but wich is the true classic?? The answer to this question should make you decision for you one way or the other..

[DMJ]

I've got both. Bought the SD in Oct06 & the SDDS Sept08. Its the Deepsea that I wear daily. The SD looked & felt big back in 2006 (to me) but now it looks & feels small next to this monster. You get used to the Deepsea & it (IMHO) looks better.

Martin

[sirjohnbrian]

I have the Deep Sea and for sure it is not a watch to use with a suit. It is an excellent watch to use for sports. It just seems to able to withstand punishment.

[moby33]

Coming from someone that has actually owned & used both watches...my vote is 100% DSSD. I get the feeling a lot of people write off the DSSD based 100% on a few internet pics or having it on their wrist for a whopping 30 secs in the AD shop. Trust me...you can't sum up the DSSD experience with those types of encounters.

IMO, there is no comparison between the bracelet, clasp, bezel, lume & crystal of the two watches - the DSSD wins hands down - Period!

And coming from someone that has owned a number of watches over 40mm in size (my Omega SMP Chrono was a daily wearer for over 5 years, I sported a 42mm Fortis Cosmonaut chrono for a while, a Bell&Ross 46mm BR01-94 for over a year, Omega 45.5mm PO Chrono & 45mm Breitling Skyland Avenger) I am not kidding when I say the DSSD is by far the most comfortable watch out of all of those.

Maybe I got lucky that my wrist is made for the watch, but it really does feel that good. I have been wearing it non-stop for almost a month now and can't believe how great it feels. Just last night as I went to bed and jammed my arm under the pillow (w/ DSSD on of course) I thought to myself, "This watch actually feels better than the SMP Chrono I wore for all those years." It's crazy, but the 42mm SMP (which is a pretty thick watch...but not as thick at the DSSD) actually feels significantly bigger & heavier on my wrist. Maybe it has to do with the SMP's lack of a tapered bracelet, but in the end the DSSD just wears better IMO.

I'm not one to go on & on about a watch just because I own it...I would definitely be knocking the DSSD if I had reason to. Out of all the watches mentioned above, the only one still in the collection is the SMP Chrono (w/ the Breitling on the selling block). I sold all the others because for one reason or another they just didn't live up to my expectations. For the first time in a very, very long time, the DSSD seems to be everything I have been looking for in a watch and much like when I bought the SMP, I know this watch will be one that NEVER leaves my collection. It really is that good.

If you knew me & my sometimes overly critical attitude toward watches, you would realize that is saying a lot about how good the DSSD really is! Cheers.