BLNR aka Batman/Bruiser vs SD4000 116600

[danyvw]

Both are wonderful pieces but if I have to choose one.............. SD4000

[dazzpowder]

Originally Posted by gt0279a

SD 4000
Proportional lugs and crown guard - Rolex finally got it right
Raised crystal - not a fan of the flush look
Added thickness - BLNR is too flat IMO
Satin Dial - better legibility
No PCLs - I suppose you could always brush them

X2 why I have mine coming next week. It's just a Beautiful timepiece, so simple clean uncomplicated a true classic

[mschafer]

I'm a fan of the GMT complication and use it all the time (travel, clients and family in other time zones, etc.) but prefer the classic LN version, sorry. On the other the SD4k is the ultimate diver in the current line up.
So if you find yourself around water a lot or have no need for the second timeZone the sd wins hands down. If you want or need the GMT and prefer an easy date view the GMTc is the way to go, but consider a LN version for daily wear. And yes, the PCL attracts some scratches but looks great and dresses jeans up and works well in a more formal setting.

[xjeeunitx]

Blnr.

[Afghanvet]

Purpose/function, or appearance/style? I'm a diver and prefer the elapsed time capability of the bezel - so for me it would be the SD...

[busytimmy]

Man that SD"c" is a winner in my book. Nothing wrong with that watch.

[Cinquecento]

Bruiser is the worst name ever for this watch.

[Nidal]

Blnr is too busy and contemporary imo
It's PCL plus magnifier plus large bezel numbers make it too much. Still a stand out watch for sure


Nidal

[binkie]

I have both, the only watches currently in my collection, having sold a lot of pieces, including the excellent Explorer II 42 mm black dial and my Speedy Pro, to just own these. Both are excellent and equally loved, for different reasons. I brushed the PCLs on the GMT, as I didn’t like the look of the PCLs. Now much better.

SD-C:
Pros: classic understated black diver look, slim lugs and crown guards, no Cyclops, silk dial, ceramic bezel, Glidelock clasp, excellent comfort.
Cons: not as accurate as I’d like (+5 to 8 seconds/day, even after regulation), hour hand lume thickness should be the same as the thicker minute hand.

BLNR with brushed center links:
Pros: classic Rolex sport watch look with good wrist presence, but not too blingy, GMT complication, black/blue ceramic bezel that rotates in 24 smooth clicks in both directions, Triplock crown, accurate (+5 seconds a week), excellent comfort, Cyclops makes date a little easier to read, both hour and minute hands have the same thickness.
Cons: Easylink clasp not as easy to adjust or as functional as the Glidelock.

If I could only have 1, a BLNR with an updated movement like the Explorer II 42 mm (the most accurate at +2 seconds a month!), with a Glidelock clasp and BCLs.

[Clay]

Originally Posted by binkie

SD-C:

Cons: not as accurate as I’d like (+5 to 8 seconds/day, even after regulation),

.

You should have it looked at again...After a month, mine is running about +1 second a day...

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by binkie

I have both, the only watches currently in my collection, having sold a lot of pieces, including the excellent Explorer II 42 mm black dial and my Speedy Pro, to just own these. Both are excellent and equally loved, for different reasons. I brushed the PCLs on the GMT, as I didn’t like the look of the PCLs. Now much better.

SD-C:
Pros: classic understated black diver look, slim lugs and crown guards, no Cyclops, silk dial, ceramic bezel, Glidelock clasp, excellent comfort.
Cons: not as accurate as I’d like (+5 to 8 seconds/day, even after regulation), hour hand lume thickness should be the same as the thicker minute hand.

BLNR with brushed center links:
Pros: classic Rolex sport watch look with good wrist presence, but not too blingy, GMT complication, black/blue ceramic bezel that rotates in 24 smooth clicks in both directions, Triplock crown, accurate (+5 seconds a week), excellent comfort, Cyclops makes date a little easier to read, both hour and minute hands have the same thickness.
Cons: Easylink clasp not as easy to adjust or as functional as the Glidelock.

If I could only have 1, a BLNR with an updated movement like the Explorer II 42 mm (the most accurate at +2 seconds a month!), with a Glidelock clasp and BCLs.

Proper regulation has more to do with accurate time keeping than the movement. Especially in this case as there are no updates on the 3187 that make it more accurate than the venerable 3135.

[binkie]

Yes, the 3187 only has the Paraflex, which doesn't affect time keeping, but for some reason my 3187 was just so accurate, and yet all my 3135s (SD 16600, Sub date 16610, and now the SD-C 116600) were never that good, and I had them all regulated, by Rolex Canada and my local AD. Anyways, I can live with it, not a big deal. Great watches all the same.

[Degas]

The answer is....

Both!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1424208566.862460.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1424208595.915553.jpg

[Gryfalcon]

Tough call although i would pick sd4000 due to no need for a second time zone.

[KrismanX]

"Better" is such a subjective term when it comes to these beauties... It comes down to personal preference and a practical need/aesthetic desire for the specific features of these two very different pieces.

Rolex doesn't make a bad timepiece. They make highly specialized ones. "They damn good, too!"

I LOVE them both. I wish I HAD both! Alas, as I am not a deepsea diver, I don't have a need for the awesome depths the SD can handle, and I'm not as particular to the fit and feel of the watch. In a duel I would go for the BLNR first (holy crap ain't it pretty??)

Lesson of the Day: Try em both on (and as in my case, research them extensively)and see what ticks for you! ;)


EDIT: That GLIDELOCK though.... *drooooool

[EduBr]

I'm i pilot, i don't dive, but my choice is the SD4K



Just a matter of taste!

[Rabbithitthetree]

Originally Posted by binkie

SD-C:
Cons: not as accurate as I’d like (+5 to 8 seconds/day, even after regulation), hour hand lume thickness should be the same as the thicker minute hand.

BLNR with brushed center links:
accurate (+5 seconds a week)

If I could only have 1, a BLNR with an updated movement like the Explorer II 42 mm (the most accurate at +2 seconds a month!), with a Glidelock clasp and BCLs.

You should have your watch re-calibrate again by RSC. My SD4000 has been running at +/- 2s in a week.
Even my last BLNR was running at -1.5s a day.

[100thmonkey]

Im wearing a SD4000 right now, love it for the cleanliness and practicality plus the extra strength but to satisfy my desire for colour I would chose the D-Blue, The Bruiser is great but those polished links kill me

[demollo]

i love both ;) would have hard time choosing one :)

[vol375]

SD4000 is the watch I want. I like the GMT's, but the PCL's aren't for me. That said, the BLNR is fine looking watch.

[Daytona88]

SD4000 all day

[Mezz72]

Sd4k

[Trailblazer]

Sdc

[AS1]

would hope he has decided by now, the thread is from 2014

[Boaters]

I have been going through the same issue I have a Sub-C and love it but the SD 4000 looks pretty much the same. I went to an AD and tried the SD 4000 on and it felt a little to high on my wrist. For that reason the BLNR will most likely be my next watch.

[SemperFi]

Personally, I like the SD for the following reasons:
Looks,
Don't need the GMT function,
Looks,
Don't care for a bi color bezel,
Looks,
Don't care for the PCL's,
Looks

[Pmt2]

Sd 4000 is an absolute CLASSIC!

[buddymunster]

Both. SD wears better on my smaller wrist


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[RGAmos]

I traveled extensively when in the international oil business and always wore submariners. For the second time zone, I simply aligned the appropriate bezel marking with the hour hand.

[Token74]

Originally Posted by leicashot

BLNR is most popular so be prepared for that watch to rule this thread, but I chose differently. Better is a matter of opinion that's personal to the buyer. I chose the SD as 'better for me' because I love the heritage, fit, comfort, technical engineering, satin dial and bezel.

Spot on from my perspective, I couldn't put it any better.

I had a 116710 when I bought the SD and had intended to keep both; but the GMT failed to secure any wrist time once the SD was in the stable so after six months it was gone.

Don't get me wrong, the GMT was great, and of all the watches I've flipped, it's the one I have a slight regret over.

Can't go wrong with either, but they are actually very different to wear so take your time, try both, and see which 'fits' you best.