Explorer II vs Sea-Dweller 43

[chloebear]

Gents,

I'm thinking about adding the new Sea-Dweller 43 to my collection. I've been wearing an Explorer II (216570) for years, so I'm used to a larger watch. But can anyone comment how the two compare on the wrist? Does anyone have accurate dimensions, weight, thickness numbers they can share? Comparison pictures - if anyone has both - would be super helpful. The more details the better.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

[vipereaper30]

Exp II is super comfy and light on the wrist. SD43 feels like a brick in comparison as it sits higher with the thicker case. Both awesome but I personally didn't click with the SD43.

[drthornton]

I have both and rarely wear my Polar Explorer II. I've had my SD 43 for about 1.5 years now and I still admire it on my wrist. Its not too heavy for every day and the adjustable clasp is awesome for changes in wrist size due to activity or weather. There is a difference on wrist so if you are sensitive to the extra weight it may bug you. I am opposite and think the Explorer feels too light.

They are both beautiful watches but I choose the SD43 easily over the Explorer II

Combo 1 resized.jpg

[Rori]

Few watch models can combine rough tough industrial design with charm and classiness the way the SD43 does. I'm not surprised to hear over and over that it the watch getting most of writs time.
As per the clasp, I'm finding it a huge feature as I'm adjusting it twice daily. When I wakeup my wrist is thicker by one full notch.

Originally Posted by drthornton

I have both and rarely wear my Polar Explorer II. I've had my SD 43 for about 1.5 years now and I still admire it on my wrist. Its not too heavy for every day and the adjustable clasp is awesome for changes in wrist size due to activity or weather. There is a difference on wrist so if you are sensitive to the extra weight it may bug you. I am opposite and think the Explorer feels too light.

They are both beautiful watches but I choose the SD43 easily over the Explorer II

Attachment 1122658

[Frits1980]

Have both. Sd43 is thicker ofcource but the dial is small so it opticaly wears smaller imo. Exp2, thin bezel and big dial makes it wear larger. Not a fan of both do. Sd43 is to heavy and the exp2 is to big.

[tanask211]

SD43 shall be my next purchase.. Waiting for better price.

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[brandrea]

The main difference you will notice is in the weight.

Since I don’t own the EXP2 I don’t have the size/weight specs of that reference but here is the SD43 compared to the DSSD.

SD43: 185gms
DSSD: 212gms

The SD 43 is actually larger than the 126660 DSSD when measured end link to end link.

SD43: lug to lug 50.4 mm, End link to end link 53.7 mm, height 15.2 mm
JC gen 1: LL 52, EL to EL 55.6, Height 17.7
JC gen2: LL 51.8, EL to EL 53.3, Height 17.7

In practical terms the EXP2 wears much lighter and flatter to the wrist. For me it would be the more comfortable daily wearer YMMV.

[AK797]

Agree the SD43 wears small due to the small and black dial, it is thicker but not out of proportion, a 43mm that was thin would feel wrong and like a satellite dish, had that on some IWCs in the past, not good.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by drthornton

I have both and rarely wear my Polar Explorer II. I've had my SD 43 for about 1.5 years now and I still admire it on my wrist. Its not too heavy for every day and the adjustable clasp is awesome for changes in wrist size due to activity or weather. There is a difference on wrist so if you are sensitive to the extra weight it may bug you. I am opposite and think the Explorer feels too light.

They are both beautiful watches but I choose the SD43 easily over the Explorer II

Attachment 1122658

Thanks for the side-by-side pic Danny! I sort of felt like 42mm was the top end of my size range, but they look about the same in your pic because - as others have mentioned - more face to bezel on the Explorer II versus more bezel to face on the SD.

I certainly don't mind a bigger heavier watch, so I'm not worried about the extra weight at all. I picked up the SD4K a few years ago and just never really bonded with it. It felt a tad too small and it bothered me not having the cyclops. The SD43 seems to fix both of those issues and the touch of red is cool too. I love the fully graduated bezel as well.

Thanks for the feedback....The SD43 is in serious contention.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The main difference you will notice is in the weight.

Since I don’t own the EXP2 I don’t have the size/weight specs of that reference but here is the SD43 compared to the DSSD.

SD43: 185gms
DSSD: 212gms

The SD 43 is actually larger than the 126660 DSSD when measured end link to end link.

SD43: lug to lug 50.4 mm, End link to end link 53.7 mm, height 15.2 mm
JC gen 1: LL 52, EL to EL 55.6, Height 17.7
JC gen2: LL 51.8, EL to EL 53.3, Height 17.7

In practical terms the EXP2 wears much lighter and flatter to the wrist. For me it would be the more comfortable daily wearer YMMV.

Thanks for the great info Brian. I had no idea the JC changed that much from gen 1 to 2! That's a watch I've flirted with for years and have always admired.

You are correct that the Explorer II is extremely comfortable. It was the most comfortable watch I'd ever owned until I picked up the BLRO. That's clearly the comfort champion (as you know) because of the jubilee, great lugs and just a relatively light and balanced watch.

[pianomankd]

Exii!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by chloebear

Thanks for the great info Brian. I had no idea the JC changed that much from gen 1 to 2! That's a watch I've flirted with for years and have always admired.

You are correct that the Explorer II is extremely comfortable. It was the most comfortable watch I'd ever owned until I picked up the BLRO. That's clearly the comfort champion (as you know) because of the jubilee, great lugs and just a relatively light and balanced watch.

Mike, the SD43 would be a great addition to your collection IMO, especially since you have the BLRO. Green light go

[samson66]

Originally Posted by chloebear

I picked up the SD4K a few years ago and just never really bonded with it. It felt a tad too small and it bothered me not having the cyclops. The SD43 seems to fix both of those issues and the touch of red is cool too. I love the fully graduated bezel as well.

There's your answer, get that SD43!

[1William]

I own the Polar Explorer II and the black dial Explorer II as well as a SD43. The two models are very different, in a good way. The Explorer II is thin and sits very flat on my wrist which is 7.5-7.75, depending on the weather. The SD43 is everything in a Rolex diver I could want, size, glide lock, red text, bezel and even the cyclops. It is a hard either/or for the watches and both get a lot of wrist time. My experience with larger watches is that the bracelet sizing has everything to do with wear and comfort. Once you get then SD43 set up right you will not have an issue with the size or weight. As an addition to an already nice collection I would say go for it.

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by vipereaper30

Exp II is super comfy and light on the wrist. SD43 feels like a brick in comparison as it sits higher with the thicker case. Both awesome but I personally didn't click with the SD43.

I think we found Prince Harry's secret rolexforums account.

[brmott]

I sold my Explorer II 42 and recently purchased the SD43. I actually love them both, but I prefer the SD. I have a 8” wrist and large hands, and the SD43’s wider bracelet just feels more substantial to me. Yes, the SD43 is thicker than an Exp or a Sub, but nowhere near as thick as the DSSD or newer Planet Oceans I’ve owned. The SD43 is superb all the the way around!

[Nanasaka90]

I had both at one point, the Explorer II was more comfortable, but I was perpetually conflicted about the proportions. The dial always seemed just a bit too large, in fact I felt the whole watch was made large for no proper reason.

The SD43 on the other hand, is heavier and less comfortable but very satisfying as far as the proportions go; which is why I ended up keeping it.


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[Easy E]

I have both, Polar and SD43. I like both, but they wear much different. The SD is thick. It wears big (tall) to me. I am 6'4" with just under 7.5" wrist, but my wrist is more round than flat.

Both great watches. Good luck, happy hunting.

E-

[brandrea]

Can anyone here tell me how much the ExpII weighs?

[Batmannr1]

I have a Explorer II 216570. With all links I believe it weighs 158 grams

[RTG]

Originally Posted by chloebear

Gents,

I'm thinking about adding the new Sea-Dweller 43 to my collection. I've been wearing an Explorer II (216570) for years, so I'm used to a larger watch. But can anyone comment how the two compare on the wrist? Does anyone have accurate dimensions, weight, thickness numbers they can share? Comparison pictures - if anyone has both - would be super helpful. The more details the better.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

The SD43 was on my list too. Perfect watch on paper to compliment my daily 42mm Explorer II. Unfortunately I did not find it perfect on the wrist. The small dial and hands underwhelmed me. The EXPII with its big dial, strong hands and crystal clear legibility is a hard watch to follow up on.

[watchwatcher]

Have both, love both. If forced to get rid of one, it would be a very, very tough call. In an effort to pare the collection down, I've actually done some thinking along these lines, without any success, I might add.

My thoughts: Bottom line, I think it's a good add to your situation, but I wouldn't replace the EXP2 with it. I qualify that statement by saying if you're looking for something great but different, than it's full speed ahead. Good luck, brother.

[173rdabn]

Unless you're a hardcore diver, why buy one? Nice watch, but it really isn't designed to impress folks around the local pool.

[abozz]

Only the Glidelock feature is a plus plus. Go for the SD43!

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[BogdanS]

Both on my 7.5 - 7.9 inch or 19-20 cm wrist.

Hard decission, I’d hate being in your spot, I’d rather keep both and decide later, after giving them both equal chances, preferably one full month each at a time.

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Have both, love both. If forced to get rid of one, it would be a very, very tough call. In an effort to pare the collection down, I've actually done some thinking along these lines, without any success, I might add.

My thoughts: Bottom line, I think it's a good add to your situation, but I wouldn't replace the EXP2 with it. I qualify that statement by saying if you're looking for something great but different, than it's full speed ahead. Good luck, brother.

Interesting to hear this my friend I may be looking to add then

[fsprow]

I had an SD43. Nice watch but I found the dial looked way too small compared to the case and I found the glidelock clasp big and bulky. I never adjust the fit after a watch is in use anyway.

Sold it.

[-dustin]

Originally Posted by RTG

The SD43 was on my list too. Perfect watch on paper to compliment my daily 42mm Explorer II. Unfortunately I did not find it perfect on the wrist. The small dial and hands underwhelmed me. The EXPII with its big dial, strong hands and crystal clear legibility is a hard watch to follow up on.

I'm surprised the dial+hands legibility deal isn't mentioned more often. It's one of...if not the only...reason I swapped my 16570 for a 216570.

[PNBLWZD]

When I got my EXPII Polar, it was my gateway watch to the 40+ size Rolex offerings. I loved the fit and it looked so much better than a 40 gmt or sub on my 8” wrist. Then my SA suggested a SD43, and I’ve had it about 6 months. Since getting it, all my others just sit despite me trying to rotate - including the polar. The SD43 is perfection, I highly recommend.

[Zoomerang]

Originally Posted by -dustin

I'm surprised the dial+hands legibility deal isn't mentioned more often. It's one of...if not the only...reason I swapped my 16570 for a 216570.

Agree with this. The SD43 has great proportions but I'm disappointed with the dial size, which appears to be about the same size as the sub.

Prefer the Exp II proportions.