Seadweller 43 is a mixed bag

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thinckness is perfect as far as I'm concerned.

Ditto. My wrist is 7.1" and fits nicely.

[Brian Page]

I went through this and decided to go back to the new version of the deep sea. For me it's more comfortable, but it's not my daily, but I do dive with it.

For me the sweet spot is the discontinued Sd4000.

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by mimariani

This may be silly, but can you replace the case back with a flatter one? you’ll probably lose depth performance, or may be blocked by the movement itself….just curious.

Not a silly question at all Michael.

I tried all manner of link combos and diver ext in and out to get a better comfort fit … and I actually looked into after market casebacks before I let go of mine the first time.

There is a fellow in Germany (I believe) that makes aftermarket casebacks for certain Rolex references. They don’t (or didn’t at the time) make one for the SD.

Next, I contacted a local high precision machine shop to inquire about having a one off made with a wider flatter profile. The cost for the one off was north of $3000 so I dropped the idea.

Now I bought the same watch back again recently, and decided I’d try wearing it a bit looser which seem to be much better for my wrist comfort.

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Not a silly question at all Michael.

I tried all manner of link combos and diver ext in and out to get a better comfort fit … and I actually looked into after market casebacks before I let go of mine the first time.

There is a fellow in Germany (I believe) that makes aftermarket casebacks for certain Rolex references. They don’t (or didn’t at the time) make one for the SD.

Next, I contacted a local high precision machine shop to inquire about having a one off made with a wider flatter profile. The cost for the one off was north of $3000 so I dropped the idea.

Now I bought the same watch back again recently, and decided I’d try wearing it a bit looser which seem to be much better for my wrist comfort.

Will a sub case back fit the sd43?


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by rlx123

Will a sub case back fit the sd43?


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I have no idea but the surface area of the SUB caseback appears to be very similar to the SD43 just not as deep.

I wanted a caseback that had a wider / flatter surface area. C'est la vie

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[Megalobyte]

This is kind of like saying, I love the Wrangler Rubicon, but I wish it wasn’t so high off the ground. :)

[Gebbeth]

I love my 43. It's my go-to watch.

To say it's "too thick" is just really odd. This is not a standard Sub. It wasn't meant to be a standard Sub. It's a pretty extreme dive watch were it not for the Deepsea and now the UD. I think it straddles both worlds very nicely. The splash of red is also a very keen design element.

I love this watch and chose it over a GMT Master II. Don't give a damn about resale value or desirability. This was to me the superior watch.

[mitcht]

Love my TT SD43. You don't see them in the wild as often as GMT's or Subs, and have a cool story behind them.

[Vetracer]

One watch can’t do everything. I love my sd43 and will never sell it. I have a 7 inch flat wrist and in my opinion, the sd43 wears perfectly with casual attire.

The red writing on the matt black dial is unique.

[Toproll85]

Received mine recently.
I am not concerned like many other testimonies by a lack of proportions.

On the contrary, for its specificities and depth capacity, it is not thick.
And it does not make its diameter, because the bezel is rather wide, the dial has less opening than others in comparison, the bracelet is widened and the lugs are designed for harmony.
Everything is consistent.

When worn, the well-adjusted bracelet is very far from being unpleasant, as well as balanced.
I took the fliplock off though.

It's a hell of a reference, a little neglected, but in the future I think it will be regretful for many !
The red lettering, and the representation of all the advances of the house in the search for resistance to pressure, it is a Rolex history.

I love this watch, one of my favorites.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by interestedinwatches

I recently picked one up and the diameter is perfect for my tastes. the lug to lug and 43mm size is perfect.

Why I am debating letting it go is because of its thickness. This would have been perfect for those who prefer >40mm watches but it is such a thick slab. Why must they ruin the look just to stay it can reach 4000 ft under?

Anyone have similar sentiments wearing the SD43?

7 3/4 wrist here, but I Agree 100%. I had one for a few months. The honeymoon period of a new watch was, well, awkward…top heavy, too thick, ungainly, etc. It looked fantastic on my wrist and ticked every box of my dream of a larger diameter sub. I unloaded it immediately for the same reasons you’re voicing in this thread. It is probably the most uncomfortable watch I’ve ever worn, tight handcuffs feel better.

[alphadweller]

You should have seen the look on the face of my 8 years old son when I put my SD43 on his 14cm wrist. Extrasy. You try and convince him otherwise, I dare you.

[mimariani]

Thanks for the feedback on the flatter case back, sounds like youve explored it thoroughly.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by interestedinwatches

Much like 99.9% of people who own the SD43, no I am not.

Do you have data to back your claim?

Regardless, for you, I would move into a nice DJ.

[JonTheKingJames]

So I’ve had this watch since October. I used to have a 114060 and I have to say, I feel like the thickness of the previous Sub almost feels similar to this watch. I have a 7.5-8 inch wrist and am only 5’6” and 165 lbs… not one person thinks it looks big or even thick and I have even told people that others consider it thick, and meanwhile they are wearing these 16-18mm thick watches.

I think its a perfect watch. I live in the Tampa, Florida area and was originally in the market for the 41mm sub. I was apprehensive to try this on due to the “thickness” stigma on this forum. I was in DavidSW in Orlando and decided to try one on…. I was immediately in love… I thought the red lettering was so cool and different.

So I then put my name on the list at an AD I had no history with, they told me no, not gonna happen, found out what my job was (police officer) and they got me one the next day, it was remarkable, and I felt so appreciated. I’ll never sell it. I do want an Explorer 39mm as another watch but it can wait.

I have yet to see another SD43 since I have had this watch, and I have been in many Rolex stores since. I see Subs about everyday. I just think it’s an awesome watch, and I have felt nothing uncomfortable. I wear it everyday to work and forget it’s even on.

Okay I’ll shut up now haha.

[interestedinwatches]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Do you have data to back your claim?

Regardless, for you, I would move into a nice DJ.

The burson of proof is on you to provide data that more than literally a few people dive with a luxury watch. Not me.

[interestedinwatches]

Originally Posted by inadeje

7 3/4 wrist here, but I Agree 100%. I had one for a few months. The honeymoon period of a new watch was, well, awkward…top heavy, too thick, ungainly, etc. It looked fantastic on my wrist and ticked every box of my dream of a larger diameter sub. I unloaded it immediately for the same reasons you’re voicing in this thread. It is probably the most uncomfortable watch I’ve ever worn, tight handcuffs feel better.

Right. It's bizarre that a few sd43 owners are having a hard time understanding that people find the proportions off and that not everyone cares about depth rating no one will ever use to sacrifice wearability.

[Toproll85]

Originally Posted by interestedinwatches

Right. It's bizarre that a few sd43 owners are having a hard time understanding that people find the proportions off and that not everyone cares about depth rating no one will ever use to sacrifice wearability.

Proportions are not a subject.
It's less thick than some divers, and very well designed.

All we see is some people who don't have a wrist or stature for them, who ask questions or keep making negative comments. The proof, you retain the only comment that goes in your direction.

For waterproofing, of course nobody uses so much, but in return there is resistance, versatility, robustness, and design too.
They are diving watches first, we seem to forget that, if who want it to be something else, but something else...so easy. Many will be delighted to win a place.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Toproll85

Proportions are not a subject.
It's less thick than some divers, and very well designed.

All we see is some people who don't have a wrist or stature for them, who ask questions or keep making negative comments. The proof, you retain the only comment that goes in your direction.

For waterproofing, of course nobody uses so much, but in return there is resistance, versatility, robustness, and design too.
They are diving watches first, we seem to forget that, if who want it to be something else, but something else...so easy. Many will be delighted to win a place.

It's not that's it's too thick. It's that half of its thickness is a truncated cone shaped protrusion into your wrist. They messed this up badly and it is especially annoying because of how much I love everything else about the watch.

The watch is literally otherwise a perfectly proportioned big boy sub that outclasses that and the GMT line.

[Gerry62]

Originally Posted by mitcht

Love my TT SD43. You don't see them in the wild as often as GMT's or Subs, and have a cool story behind them.

[JonTheKingJames]

Like I said, you rarely see these in the wild. Subs are literally everywhere. I think people with 6 inch wrists and small statures should still clear if this one.

[Nico81]

Seadweller was ruined when rolex made it 43mm, added gloss dial, and slapped cyclops on it
SD4K was nice evolution in the history of SD
Then they did this???

Yea I said it


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[interestedinwatches]

Originally Posted by Nico81

Seadweller was ruined when rolex made it 43mm, added gloss dial, and slapped cyclops on it
SD4K was nice evolution in the history of SD
Then they did this???

Yea I said it


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SD43 doesn't have a glossy dial.

[superpop]

SD43 has been my daily for around 3 years now and it has been an awesome watch that has held up incredibly well. I came from a Breitling 46mm B50 that was much bigger than the SD but about half the weight as it was titanium. Loved that one but it was just too big. I am pretty tall so the SD fits my proportions perfectly. It is really a big boy sub.

[samuel019]

Well I just got mine yesterday and my initial thoughts are

Love the heft (I wear PM as a daily)
Love the wider bracelet and clasp
Love the size
Love the splash of red on the dial

****************************

What I would change if I could

I could live w/o the cyclops and yes the caseback is meh. And this is coming from someone who has worn a SDK and 16600 for years. Neither will make me get rid of it but if these 2 issues were gone it would be absolutely a 10 on a scale of 10.

As is I'd give it a strong 7-8

Oh btw I have found/do wear this one a tad looser than any other Rolex I have ever owned to get the best feel. A tad and it feels great. I havent had any of the wrist discomfort as some have mentioned. However I could see that if someone is wearing it too tight

[askdanny]

On the secondary market, the SD 43 is the same price (or less) than the Sub Date 41.

A better built watch for less money? Shows the controversial nature of the design...

[samuel019]

Originally Posted by askdanny

On the secondary market, the SD 43 is the same price (or less) than the Sub Date 41.

A better built watch for less money? Shows the controversial nature of the design...

Exactly

FWIW a fair amt of those SD43's Ive seen are BNIB/Sliders as they call it.

And for less than a 126610

[Shadow Play]

Originally Posted by interestedinwatches

Yep, no disagreements from me.

And I will take it a step further and say if they decreased the depth rating to decrease the size of the caseback, more people would be happy about it, and virtually close to 0 people would actually be upset about it.

To me at least an SD with decreased depth rating is a bit like a blunt pencil - pointless.

[herts9]

Originally Posted by askdanny

On the secondary market, the SD 43 is the same price (or less) than the Sub Date 41.

A better built watch for less money? Shows the controversial nature of the design...

Not everyone can wear a SD43 where a Sub can fit on mostly everyone.

[Malum]

As in every thread concerning the SD43 , the views are a mixed bag . I bought mine not long after the release . I had a feeling it would be polarizing, but not the extent it has . It still getting about 80 Percent of the wrist time and that’s not going change .