Old vs New (SD4K vs SD43)

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Devildog

SD43. All day. Every day




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This

Probably one of THE best shots we’ve seen of this reference on TRF

[nyc2la]

Today’s wrist pic is also my choice.

[watchwatcher]

The SD43 checkes a lot of my boxes...that's my vote.

[Rashid.bk]

SD43 easily.

[AK797]

SD43, SD4K looks more like a placeholder now.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by HL65

For me easy choice the SD43 all day long!

+ 1. No contest for me as well. Rolex made new dial, new bracelet, everything new for SD43 with perfect proportions whereas even majority of the stuff on SD4K was compromised. People suddenly started loving once it is discontinued but as watch wise, SD43 is perfect proportions with end links, bracelet and size and dial.

Just check out the dial window on SD4K on right side in comparison to its 5-digit, floating somewhere on the dial and not at its desired position, it is huge compromise, not even bringing other major issues with end links and bracelet. But as anything, people who own something tend to overlook the flaws and grow to love anything. But simple fact is SD43 is well proportioned and better watch than SD4K.

[al503]

SD43 by far for me.

The SD4K looks small on my 8+" wrist (that's personal preference, though.)
New movement with a significant bump in power reserve.
'Better,' IMO, lugs and I like the bracelet width.
Cyclops is great for my aging eyes.
Red font isn't that important but I prefer it over the white.

[tng11]

Interesting discussion so far.

I'll provide my own thoughts on this. Keeping in mind that the SD43 came in a week before I picked up the SD4K.

Between the two, the SD43 just feels more special than the SD4K. Dare I say, the SD4K is a bit boring. I've never been a SD purist, and in any case, I don't think the lack of a cyclops is what necessarily defined the previous generation, rather the depth rating and HEV were the more critical features of the line. The SD43 checks off all the right boxes for me - there's a little pop on the dial (the red text and cyclops), the expanded diameter is a perfect match for its thickness and the wider bracelet makes it feel more robust and solid.

Even for someone with smaller wrists like me, I still prefer the SD43 as it has the presence that I think a dive watch should have, while it isn't too big or heavy to be completely unwearable (the DSSD is unwearable for myself.)

All that said, both will co-exist very happily in my collection. In the 40mm ceramic Rolex category, the proportions of the SD4K are much better than the Sub in my view with the slimmer lugs.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I don't remember any time that the SD43 was hated and I've been following this closely. There are still those who don't like many things about the watch. There is really only one thing I don't like and that is the 43mm size which is two large for my 6.5 inch wrist. Otherwise it's a great watch. You might look back and find out that it wasn't so long ago that the SD4K was an object of disdain by many.

I've also been following this topic. There was a lot of unhappiness about the cyclops at first but it seems there is more acceptance and appreciation (for being able to actually read the date) than outright dislike. The purists don't like the cyclops of course, but they wouldn't be purists if they did. Perhaps they were the loudest of the bunch at the time.

I like them both and would add a SD4K after acquiring a few non-diver pieces. But the SD43 is special and I'm extremely happy with mine.

My only complaint/observation is the slimmer lugs and the large ceramic bezel make it easy to accidentally move the bezel. Which really isn't a big deal for me as I don't dive. But during a divie I could see the bezel being easy to accidentally move. If you're depending on it to know when you'll run out of air that could be a big problem. I've tested my bezel against Sub's and a friend's SD4K and it doesn't feel any less tight. I think the larger lugs on the Sub help alleviate this risk as the bezel isn't as close to the edge of the watch. The SD4K has slimmer lugs, but the bezel being smaller accidental movement is less likely.

[mistermann]

This one gets my vote.

[subtona]

40mm is my sweet spot

[incontrol]

SD43 for me. Now I am trying to decide between this and a SS Skydweller.


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[drhr]

4K, no cyclops for sure . . .

[watchmework]

Originally Posted by mistermann

This one gets my vote.

I just noticed how much more pronounced the PIP is on the SD4k compared to the SD43...didn't even notice that initially but that's how I think it was on my SubC too...I'm a fan of the flush version on the SD43.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by mistermann

This one gets my vote.

Beautiful picture

[superstarmar]

This one !!!

[Simon_e]

I love the 4k most but both are amazing.
My thoughts -
The 4k is perfect size for most males, it looks stunning, I love the bezel and it's a very limited run so long term should be very collectable.
The 43 is also stunning but will look stupid on anybody under 6 foot and under 200lb. I adore the red writing and would love one but if I could only have 1 then it would be the 4k.

[SC11]

A pic to help reflect my choice

[douglasf13]

That is a tough one. I like the proportions of the SD43, but the size of the SD4K. If forced to pick one, I'd go SD4K.

[Scampo]

SD4K for me - which is what I've owned for 14 years. Wouldn't mind adding the SD43 to the collection though...

[Phill (UK)]

Originally Posted by Scampo

SD4K for me - which is what I've owned for 14 years. Wouldn't mind adding the SD43 to the collection though...

14 years?... that would be an SD 16600 then, not an SD4K 116600

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by Simon_e

The 43 is also stunning but will look stupid on anybody under 6 foot and under 200lb.

Lol

Does this mean person needs to be under 6 ft and under 200lbs to wear the sd4k ?



Different strokes for different folks....

[Glidelock]

SDC4K for me, as I have had the opportunity to do multiple side-by-side comparisons and wrist tests...and for me the last of the true Sea Dweller's wears the best!

Originally Posted by JohnFM

Can someone explain why everyone refers to the 116600 as the SD4K? Haven't Sea Dwellers had a 4,000 foot dive rating through several iterations, including the 16600?

Yep! For this reason you will often see some of us refer to it as the SDC4K to avoid confusion!

[ap1]

I prefer 40 for my 6.5. That said, I felt it was a lil top heavy for me and I moved it. Hulk rules for the 40 diver slot

[Tvo2003]

Sold my Sub C and picked up my 126600 three weeks ago and I love it. The size is perfect for me. Though I prefer bigger watches.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Simon_e

I love the 4k most but both are amazing.
My thoughts -
The 4k is perfect size for most males, it looks stunning, I love the bezel and it's a very limited run so long term should be very collectable.
The 43 is also stunning but will look stupid on anybody under 6 foot and under 200lb. I adore the red writing and would love one but if I could only have 1 then it would be the 4k.

Oh ok

[Unsubscriber]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

That is a tough one. I like the proportions of the SD43, but the size of the SD4K. If forced to pick one, I'd go SD4K.

Agreed (I’m agreeing in my first post!). The apparent proportions of the watch vary with the context — and on my 6.5” wrist, the beautiful SD50 looks cartoonish and oversized (for my taste). And while the red text is striking and adds dimension, I also like the quiet of the all-white text and uninterrupted surface of the crystal on the SD4K. Of course, some find those less interesting. Also, the date window on the SD4K definitely looks misplaced to me, floating too far towards the center of the dial.

I agree with the majority that the alignment of the lugs and band end pieces on the SD50 is more appealing than the deliberate misalignment on the SD4K. But I wonder if others also feel that the misalignment kind of shows off the quality of the materials Rolex uses by revealing a bit of the edges and sides of the solid steel parts. Maybe I’m making lemonade because I prefer the SD4K, overall. But for the record, I don’t own either...yet.

I’ve been lurking for a little while now and do want to say thanks to all for their thoughtful and informative posts. I knew nothing about Rolex when I signed up and TRF has been an invaluable and fun resource!

[morimotom]

Originally Posted by RolexLuthor

SD4k for me. The new seadweller has broken totally away from the mould and should of been called something else, SeaMariner maybe. It’s too much like the Submariner now. The SD4k will become a true classic and the last true to form Seadweller.

The 43 is too much like a sub? Um ok.

[morimotom]

Originally Posted by Simon_e

I love the 4k most but both are amazing.
My thoughts -
The 4k is perfect size for most males, it looks stunning, I love the bezel and it's a very limited run so long term should be very collectable.
The 43 is also stunning but will look stupid on anybody under 6 foot and under 200lb. I adore the red writing and would love one but if I could only have 1 then it would be the 4k.

Yeah not so much. 510/170, I think my SD43 is perfect.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Phill (UK)

14 years?... that would be an SD 16600 then, not an SD4K 116600

16600 is also a SD4K