SD43 too similar to sub?

[AK797]

Originally Posted by brandrea

If it weren’t for small details we wouldn’t have much to talk about here

True say.

[ericsku87]

The day I bought my SubC ND I went to the dealer with my gf and she thought the 5 digit sub, 5 digit sd, 6 digit sub, 6 digit sd all looked identical and could not understand why it took me so long to just pick one. The same thing happened when we went shopping for her diamond necklace as she went on about the smallest differences which I could not (but pretended to) distinguish.

[007_Omega]

Originally Posted by Bruins7

Agreed and very well written! But I feel like you can get away with dressing this watch up but I do understand some folks will say that it’s too big. I am enjoying my sd43 and appreciate your perspective.


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Thanks! I wore mine for a photoshoot in full business attire. I absolutely would wear this formally though it entirely depends on the occasion.

I am a younger guy and I really do not want to come off as a prick with a giant Rolex to certain people. This thing just will not fit under a cuff for me so it limits me in that sense. Also, for really formal events I generally like tucking my watch under the cuff and there is no way in hell this is going under my dress cuffs (I tried XD).

Knock on wood, I work hard and get into my 30s in Middle to Upper Management and then I'll happily rock this thing at the office. That's the case for many on this forum and to them wear this thing with pride. It looks great with a suit. Still think the Sub looks better formally but excuse my bias this thing kills the Sub with casual clothing.

I've got nothing but compliments with whatever I've worn it with except one guy who made the comment that people who stick out get shot first in my line of work (Vietnam Vet). We had a 5-10 minute conversation afterwards and he ended up really liking me and we laughed about it. Like I said, people will always have an initial impression but I think I'm a bit of a charmer when given the chance.

to everyone on this wonderful forum.

[tac34vt]

Originally Posted by 007_Omega

haha I've considered all those watches and I thought the same thing when I bought them..all the non-WIS are going to think they are the same watch.

My next watch is the Explorer I or Milgauss GV though. I want something different than my Speedy/SD43. The 5 digit Pepsi GMT is a distant third option.

Very nice. I made a promise that I would pause and take a breath after picking up the SD43 last week, but should there be a next one...I'm considering a Coke GMT. Baby steps! At least I've got a blue dial DJII for a touch of variety.

[007_Omega]

Originally Posted by tac34vt

Very nice. I made a promise that I would pause and take a breath after picking up the SD43 last week, but should there be a next one...I'm considering a Coke GMT. Baby steps! At least I've got a blue dial DJII for a touch of variety.

After my next watch, I am out of the market for AT LEAST 2 years. Since you have a DJ, a Coke GMT would be the perfect watch to complete the Trinity.

You have
DJ- Formal
SD43- Any other situation and hell formal if you so choose
Coke GMT- Casual/Traveling

[WEST HAM ROLEX]

For the first time last week I was able to pick up - feel an SD43
A guy at our golf club had one.

I have always imagined (especially just looking at images) that the SD43 is just a bit to close to a Sub Date

But NO. In my opinion completely different

The extra 3mm makes the difference and the touch of Red looks great

One day,,,,might get one.

[EightTenths]

Originally Posted by Khans14

I am sure this will be an unpopular opinion, but too similar in my opinion.

I agree with you. Nothing against the SD43 as it is thoroughly superior to the Sub. This said between these two and a black GMT I would pick only one and add the Pepsi, Daytona and Explorer I.

[116710er]

Negative Ghost Rider...

[sensui]

If it makes you feel better. Most people think a gmt, submariner, sea dweller are all the same watch.

[liuk3]

It's similar in that it is a black dialed diver watch. However, it is different than the black dial sub which is much more ubiquitious. That's why I went with the DSSD when it came out. I wanted something diver related (have done a lot of recreational and technical diving), yet I wanted something different than the black dialed sub which all of my friends seemed to have. What matters the most is that you love it.

[oldman2005]

The important thing is they are different to you because to most normal people are they the same, many even thought my Seiko is a Rolex

[Rolexier]

Anyone who knows watches knows they are totally different

[Speedbird-1]

Even very smart Bond girls struggle to tell the difference.

Vesper, "Rolex?"......Bond,"Omega"......Vesper, "beautiful".

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Lt Virgil Hilts

Even very smart Bond girls struggle to tell the difference.

Vesper, "Rolex?"......Bond,"Omega"......Vesper, "beautiful".

She knew the difference and she knew it was an Omega. She's an Intel Officer. It was part of her approach to set Bond off guard and in a very coy way to belittle him for wearing a (somewhat) lesser watch. J/k - sort of.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

She knew the difference and she knew it was an Omega. She's an Intel Officer. It was part of her approach to set Bond off guard and in a very coy way to belittle him for wearing a (somewhat) lesser watch. J/k - sort of.

I thought she was H.M.Treasury Liason.
Does it say she's British Inteligence anywhere?

[genkifd]

imo if the SD didnt look like the sub there is something wrong. the roots of the SD is the Sub.

[HL65]

Similar to most outside of forum life but for us way different.

[westsiderkg]

too similar overall 4 me that's 1 reason I sold mine. gl.

[Brny11]

Originally Posted by Bruins7

I have recently acquired my beautiful SD43 and I love it. The more I do look at it, I ask myself this question. Is it too similar to a sub? Let me know your thoughts! I am curious because I feel they are so different but to the average joe I'm sure it looks like a sub to them.

Matter of perspective. To my wife the sub, deepsea, sd, prob even seamasters and some knock off divers are identical.

IMO - watches, like diamonds may have very subtle variances. Though subtle, they make all the difference in the world. So no, the Sub and SD43 are different enough to justify for me. Maybe not for others.



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[Bruins7]

Originally Posted by HL65

Similar to most outside of forum life but for us way different.

True true

[jimcameron]

For 95% of Rolex owners they are similar.

For everyone else, they are the same.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by watchmework

I bet most folks wouldn’t be able to tell a Sub and black GMT Master apart in the wild though, never mind a SD.

I have experience with this. I've had my GMT LN commented/complimented three times by someone saying "I like your Sub", or something to that effect. Once was at a watch event and they were also wearing a Rolex. The other two were out in the wild. Third time I just said thanks.

[mechia]

Originally Posted by Brny11

IMO - watches, like diamonds may have very subtle variances. Though subtle, they make all the difference in the world.

Or like a fine wine :) For some ppl a $300+ bottle is just "like" or "don't really like" or "tastes like a $30 bottle of wine". And thats where their interest in the subject ends. For others they can go on and on about the difference in vintages.

[Miexpeman]

Originally Posted by 007_Omega

To the average person it is the same watch but bigger. Hell, from a distance you probably could barely tell the difference.

To the watch enthusiast it is a different beast.
3mm Bigger (Significant, trust me)
3mm Thicker
Helium Escape Valve
2mm Wider Bracelet
Countdown Timer from 0-60 on the Bezel
Matte Black Dial (This is a big difference, especially in the sunlight, also creates a contrast effect with the shiny ceramic bezel while the Sub dial/bezel blend together)
Engraved Case Back
Slimmer Lugs (Love this part)
Red Line (Add so much character, especially with a company that plays it quite conservative with their sports lineup)
Sharper Bezel (Easier to grip with gloves for diving and gives it a slightly more menacing look)
Diver Extension

Now that I listed all that on top of my head, you can decide if it's just a Big Sub. In some ways it is and in many ways it is not. Trust me, as an owner it is NOT just a Big Sub but I completely understand the reputation. It's on the wrist that you really can feel/see all these differences.

I think the Date Bubble really plays into this belief. Personally, now that I have had the watch for a bit I have to come the conclusion that I wish the Date Bubble wasn't there. Does it really bother me? No. It's just another iconic Rolex element on a near perfect watch.

This is the best all around Diver that is out. You want versatility and a dressier watch then go Sub. You want something toolier, bigger, and more unique then go with the SD43. Either way, you are getting a fantastic watch.

Engraved case back?

[phillycheez]

To the average joe every Rolex black dial diver looks similar.

But who cares about joe

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[Miexpeman]

Originally Posted by Miexpeman

Engraved case back?

Scratch that, I was having a senior moment and forgot I was wearing my BLNR today and not my SD43.......DOH😂 SD43 definitely has an engraved case back and BLNR doesn't. Suitably embarrassed 😊

[Raza_actual]

Submariner Date and SD43 do look awfully similar. Proportionally, the SD43 isn’t as well done as the Sub Date, and if you set the two of them next to each other, the differences are painfully obvious, but at a glance, from a distance, they’d be hard to tell apart.

Look, we’re enthusiasts here. We’re trained to look for nuance as part of our self-justification process. But really, how different are they? 5%? 10%? 20%? That’s pretty similar. I wouldn’t own both in my collection, it’s too much overlap for me.

[SlowhandBuzz]

I think both sides of this debate are correct. It has a lot of tech differences, yet appearances are very similar. If you are adding it to a vast collection, then it makes perfect sense. If just a small one, it may make sense to go for more variation in other models/makers.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Raza_actual

Submariner Date and SD43 do look awfully similar. Proportionally, the SD43 isn’t as well done as the Sub Date, and if you set the two of them next to each other, the differences are painfully obvious, but at a glance, from a distance, they’d be hard to tell apart.

Look, we’re enthusiasts here. We’re trained to look for nuance as part of our self-justification process. But really, how different are they? 5%? 10%? 20%? That’s pretty similar. I wouldn’t own both in my collection, it’s too much overlap for me.

Seriously? “Proportionally, the SD43 isn’t as well done as the Sub Date”

I’d say (as would most) that the SD43 is the best proportioned six digit Rolex with a rotating bezel currently in production.

[ccaballero]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Seriously? “Proportionally, the SD43 isn’t as well done as the Sub Date”

I’d say (as would most) that the SD43 is the best proportioned six digit Rolex with a rotating bezel currently in production.

This is 100% correct. The SD43 is essentially a larger version of the 5 digit case with superior bracelet case flow.