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Old 23 August 2021, 09:32 PM   #61
brandrea
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Interesting to hear your opinion on the dial Brian as when I tried on numerous sub41s I too thought the dial looked bigger than the SD43.



I’ve voiced my opinion many times on the SD43, I bought as a rotation piece and my head was turned towards it because I couldn’t get the sub41 at retail. It’s now my most worn watch by an absolute mile and I’m so happy I found it it’s literally perfect for me.



Having said that it divides opinions massively some find it intolerably uncomfortable to wear whereas others including myself cannot even understand why people have this issue so it’s clearly due to wrist shape.



For me it’s nice to have basically a bigger submariner and be a little bit different to the masses and the red text is icing on the cake.



The submariner is a watch nobody has any complaints about especially with the new lugs which actually makes the watch look smaller in my opinion that the previous gen model with bigger lugs. So it will always be the more popular but for those of us who can wear the SD43 it’s the king :)
Well said Jay

The SD43 really was a dream come true watch for me. We are born in the same year (67) and my AD managed to land me the first one in Canada (and maybe NorthAmerica) on its release in May of 2017. I picked mine up on May 4th just about 2 months ahead of my 50th birthday.

I still really do love that watch ... if it just had a flatter case back.

20180223_100944.jpg20191031_122012.jpg

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Old 23 August 2021, 09:38 PM   #62
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Great watch, just not for everyone.
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Old 23 August 2021, 09:42 PM   #63
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I tried and it was to big for me so I bought a SD4K, no hate at all just a matter of size.


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Old 23 August 2021, 10:28 PM   #64
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I still really do love that watch ... if it just had a flatter case back.
The caseback is an interesting point.

Some time ago I compared the caseback flat parts of my 126600 with my 16600.

With approx. 21.0 mm the flat part diameters of both watches are nearly identical (I'm not discussing 0.1 mm difference).

Logically, the caseback surfaces, i.e. the watch part that is in direct contact with your wrist, are the same.

What is different is the weight: 126600 (187 g) and 16600 (150 g).

The centre of gravity of the 126600 is higher than the 16600, i.e. is further away from the wrist, which affects position stabilty during wrist movements.

I think the differences in weight and center of gravity play the most important role for comfort or discomfort, not the 3 mm diameter difference (43 vs 40 mm) and not the caseback.
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Old 23 August 2021, 10:30 PM   #65
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SD4k is where it's at with regards to Sea Dwellers.

Now that. That is a remarkable watch.
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Old 23 August 2021, 10:41 PM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saxo3 View Post
The caseback is an interesting point.

Some time ago I compared the caseback flat parts of my 126600 with my 16600.

With approx. 21.0 mm the flat part diameters of both watches are nearly identical (I'm not discussing 0.1 mm difference).

Logically, the caseback surfaces, i.e. the watch part that is in direct contact with your wrist, are the same.

What is different is the weight: 126600 (187 g) and 16600 (150 g).

The centre of gravity of the 126600 is higher than the 16600, i.e. is further away from the wrist, which affects position stabilty during wrist movements.

I think the differences in weight and center of gravity play the most important role for comfort or discomfort, not the 3 mm diameter difference (43 vs 40 mm) and not the caseback.
Thanks for this and yes based on what you observe, I would agree.

Proportionately I'd say that the surface area of the caseback could stand to grow in relation to the size increase.

Ideally, it would be similar or the exact same in size to the DSSD. I did find my Dblue was the more comfortable wearer on my wrist.

Size of the case really has nothing to do with it, as I find my 47mm Panerai and 42mm Seiko wear very comfortably ... but they have flat casebacks.

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Old 23 August 2021, 10:43 PM   #67
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I took off the diver extension and now it wears perfectly comfortable on me.
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Old 23 August 2021, 11:13 PM   #68
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It’s a size issue. I was instantly turned off the first time I tried it on.

Today I own one, and while I’m not so repulsed by the size anymore, I do feel Rolex could’ve done more to make the watch more comfortable. Perhaps they could’ve also raised the depth rating slightly for the larger size to make sense.

The watch could really benefit from an Oysterflex bracelet option though, it would be much more comfortable.
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Old 23 August 2021, 11:32 PM   #69
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Same thing happened to me , loved the watch and size ,hated the comfort, sold it and got a Dblue , never looked back , I still apprecciate and love the look of the SD43 , it just didn’t work for me .
sorry if im wrong, but i thought DBlue also have protruding case back? no ?
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Old 23 August 2021, 11:44 PM   #70
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sorry if im wrong, but i thought DBlue also have protruding case back? no ?
It seems opinions vary on that topic; for me, the DBlue case back was awful. In the store, I thought I loved it, after wearing it for one day it got sold. I have owned the SD43 for a year now and don't experience the casebback issues many dislike. For me, the 43 is just an overgrown sub.
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Old 23 August 2021, 11:46 PM   #71
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It seems opinions vary on that topic; for me, the DBlue case back was awful. In the store, I thought I loved it, after wearing it for one day it got sold. I have owned the SD43 for a year now and don't experience the casebback issues many dislike. For me, the 43 is just an overgrown sub.
i dont agree its just an overgrown sub, the red text makes all the difference.
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Old 23 August 2021, 11:51 PM   #72
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Like previously stated, those with a flat wrist will not have much of a issue with comfort.

That said, I wore a JC Deepsea daily for a year and was one of the most comfortable pieces I ever had.
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Old 24 August 2021, 12:20 AM   #73
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I think they really nailed the proportions and the watch seemingly wears smaller than one might expect at 43mm. Might have to do with the tapered lugs with the added height resulting in a smaller lug-to-lug than flatter 43mm.. I haven't done the measurements myself.

I like the combination of heft, presence, graduated bezel, matte dial, and red text. I'm not a purist by any stretch, and I actually like the cyclops. Just a combination of things that make this way more intriguing to me than a sub though it's nuanced.
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Old 24 August 2021, 12:32 AM   #74
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It's a man's man watch with a lot of presence. Most cannot carry the size so they hate on it. I love mine. Gotta have the size and confidence to pull it off though.
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Old 24 August 2021, 12:43 AM   #75
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Originally Posted by saxo3 View Post
The caseback is an interesting point.

Some time ago I compared the caseback flat parts of my 126600 with my 16600.

With approx. 21.0 mm the flat part diameters of both watches are nearly identical (I'm not discussing 0.1 mm difference).

Logically, the caseback surfaces, i.e. the watch part that is in direct contact with your wrist, are the same.

What is different is the weight: 126600 (187 g) and 16600 (150 g).

The centre of gravity of the 126600 is higher than the 16600, i.e. is further away from the wrist, which affects position stabilty during wrist movements.

I think the differences in weight and center of gravity play the most important role for comfort or discomfort, not the 3 mm diameter difference (43 vs 40 mm) and not the caseback.

Unless some wrists are made of steal or marble, the caseback is cleverly designed the way it is to make a flatter case dimensions possible without scarifying underwater depth support.
The SD43 when worn properly “snug and above wrist bone” it wears as flat and low as a sub “almost” same goes for it’s center of gravity. This caseback design is responsible of making the watch looks slimmer, wears lower and steadier on the wrist. It is an ingenious feast of design.


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Old 24 August 2021, 12:53 AM   #76
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i dont agree its just an overgrown sub, the red text makes all the difference.
This is true, I didn't mean that comment as negative... I love my SD43
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Old 24 August 2021, 05:00 AM   #77
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I am not a hater because I bought one and loved the aesthetics of the subzilla SD43. The reason I moved it along was a comfort issue. It always felt top heavy and ungainly on my wrist. It isn’t the weight since I have a few PM pieces that weigh much more. It could be as others say the case back. I didn’t investigate what the problem was, it just didn’t feel right. I love the watch though, I miss the aesthetics and size, since I too wear Panerai occasionally, plus some large heavy pieces. Shame, I miss it.
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Old 24 August 2021, 07:45 AM   #78
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Only matters what you like. I went out of my way to find a Sea Dweller 16600 which has the ideal features in my book (40mm size, no cyclops, solid and good weight without being impractical, not “just another sub”).
Not opposed to something a bit bigger like a Speedy pro or some of the newer IWC offerings. But generally speaking I like smaller. You fall into the Panerai camp and that’s great.
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Old 24 August 2021, 08:03 AM   #79
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People would absolutely love this watch if it was named the”Super Submariner”. I have one and don’t care about the history without a cyclops. Not a Sea Dweller historian. IMHO … looks great with it.
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Old 24 August 2021, 08:39 AM   #80
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I like mine just fine. Great watch!
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Old 24 August 2021, 08:48 AM   #81
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i dont agree its just an overgrown sub
Me neither. I've never understood the "it's just an overgrown Sub" comments. Taking that line of thinking we should be saying the old SD was "just a Sub Date without a cyclops", or a GMT is "just a Sub with a 4th hand".

The SD has always been it's own, very specific thing.
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Old 24 August 2021, 10:08 AM   #82
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sorry if im wrong, but i thought DBlue also have protruding case back? no ?
They all have protruding Casebacks.
It's a question of how much they protrude, how big the main contact point is, and the relationship with the overall watch design.
Then there's the different sizes and shapes of wrist.

I wear a DSSD pretty much all day every day and have done since 2011 with no problems.
With the exception of a wonderful 4 digit Sub it's the most comfortable Rolex diver i have had the pleasure of wearing and I've tried on Sea-dwellers out of curiosity since the early days with none of them feeling right
Even had a 5 digit Sub which was ok but the DSSD works best out of the modern offerings for me
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Old 24 August 2021, 10:22 AM   #83
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I love mine. I tried the Deepsea and it was too thick for my taste. The SD43 is the perfect size between 40 and "too big". I wouldn't base availability over the single fact you got lucky, most people aren't. But, congrats on being lucky, nevertheless.

It could also have to do with you enjoying the Panerai brand. I wear a 111 quite a bit and the size/weight of the two are similar.
thank you :)
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Old 24 August 2021, 10:26 AM   #84
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There’s no way to know how many people were passed over for the watch for you, an existing good customer. Any SS sports model is hugely desirable, the SD43 premium on the gray market isn’t that great, $4-$5K over retail. I think people buying them even with the intention to flip are holding on hoping the market improves for them.

I got the first one my AD received when it came out, 2017 I think? I love it, the size, wrist presence, the smaller details. I have other watches so wouldn’t say I have one daily driver, but my SD43 gets the most wrist time of any I have. Congrats on the acquisition!
thanks! I was a panerai fanboy but as in your case, this particular rolex is my every day watch and loving it!
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Old 24 August 2021, 10:30 AM   #85
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Me neither. I've never understood the "it's just an overgrown Sub" comments. Taking that line of thinking we should be saying the old SD was "just a Sub Date without a cyclops", or a GMT is "just a Sub with a 4th hand".

The SD has always been it's own, very specific thing.
hahaha... indeed...hadn't thought of that
I personally don't even care about model names, not in the reselling business,I only care about wearing nice stuff..personally I love the cyclops, love the red lettering, the black dial, size..all the specs you know.. :)
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Old 24 August 2021, 01:38 PM   #86
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Me neither. I've never understood the "it's just an overgrown Sub" comments. Taking that line of thinking we should be saying the old SD was "just a Sub Date without a cyclops", or a GMT is "just a Sub with a 4th hand".

The SD has always been it's own, very specific thing.
I officially retract my statement, LOL...it was clearly taken out of context. I am a fan of the SD43 and meant that statement as in I find the watch very comfortable for all day everyday wear both physically and aesthetically in any attire or environment. You know, like a sub, but a little bigger.....that's all I meant, but it doesn't matter as I've retracted my misunderstood statement
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Old 24 August 2021, 01:59 PM   #87
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The 126600 and 126603 are great watches in my opinion. I have both the stainless steel and SS/18K versions. I really enjoy wearing them. Yeah, they are a little big, but that's also part of their appeal.
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Old 24 August 2021, 04:43 PM   #88
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Hey its not for everyone but I do love mine. Find myself wearing it more than the rest.
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Old 24 August 2021, 07:11 PM   #89
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Hey its not for everyone but I do love mine. Find myself wearing it more than the rest.
And that's what it's all about
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Old 24 August 2021, 10:58 PM   #90
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Had a SD43, hated the cyclops - sold it, got a SD4K and couldn't be happier.
Also previously owned a 16600 which is a near-perfect piece.
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