Basel 2017 Rolex - Hands on preview - SD43, Skydweller, and more

[brucethemanlee]

I had an opportunity to check out the new Basel 2017 watches in the flesh in New York...

Very nice! So many to chose from....

[AK797]

How's the thickness of the SD43? Looks OK there as the caseback seems to fade into your wrist. SkyDs look very good too.

[diracpoint]

Great pics!! Is the SD43 dial matte or glossy?

[Smarties]

If possible, can you please check the thickness of SD50 compare with SD4000?

A lot of us would like to see if thickness stay the same.

Thanks.

[meganfox17]

Hi @brucethemanlee

The dial colours of the DJ41 and the Sky Dweller appear similar sort of like silvery white or ivory not Polar white. Hard to tell with the boutique lighting. Can You confirm this Bruce ?

Can you take a lateral or side profile snapshot of both SD4K & SD50 on your wrist again ? I want to check the height comparison if that's possible

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[sensui]

Thanks also..I can tell you with certainty that sd4k fits you far better.

[G'ed]

Look like someone having a treat.

Hands on with new Rolex after done with KFC!

What's your opinion on new SD? Thickness and wearability compared to SD4K

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

Hi @brucethemanlee

The dial colours of the DJ41 and the Sky Dweller appear similar sort of like silvery white or ivory not Polar white. Hard to tell with the boutique lighting. Can You confirm this Bruce ?

Can you take a lateral or side profile snapshot of both SD4K & SD50 on your wrist again ? I want to check the height comparison if that's possible

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

DJ41 is silver
Sky dweller is off white (i think)

These are the only pics I have of the SD43 by the side with one pic with my SD4K

[Smarties]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

DJ41 is silver
Sky dweller is off white (i think)

These are the only pics I have of the SD43 by the side with one pic with my SD4K

Do they have the same thickness?

Thanks

[kilyung]

The black SkD look sharp!

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by Smarties

If possible, can you please check the thickness of SD50 compare with SD4000?

A lot of us would like to see if thickness stay the same.

Thanks.

It was pretty close to same as SD4K.

Originally Posted by sensui

Thanks also..I can tell you with certainty that sd4k fits you far better.

I think i agree with you. I think I still prefer my SD4K.

SD43 thickness was no more/less than SD4K (based on what I saw). Although the SD43 seem to fit lug to lug, overall the watch did wear "large". SD43 was very nice but can't say that I was salivating over it

Originally Posted by G'ed

Look like someone having a treat.

Hands on with new Rolex after done with KFC!

What's your opinion on new SD? Thickness and wearability compared to SD4K

see above

[ELITEVIDEOGAMES]

Where was this ? Rolex boutique on 5th ave?

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by ELITEVIDEOGAMES

Where was this ? Rolex boutique on 5th ave?

Yep

[brandrea]

Looks like a great time. I'm going to see them on the 3rd and can't wait

[G'ed]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

I think i agree with you. I think I still prefer my SD4K.

SD43 thickness was no more/less than SD4K (based on what I saw). Although the SD43 seem to fit lug to lug, overall the watch did wear "large". SD43 was very nice but can't say that I was salivating over it

Thanks for the feedback. I feel like we are having about the same wrist size, 6.5-6.7in so I guess new SD will be too large for me.

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by G'ed

Hands on with new Rolex after done with KFC!

Yeah all that lovely grease....I just don't like the fact they put MSG into it....

As to the 43mm Sea-Dweller:
I've heard the casebook protrudes significantly, and for me that is the deal breaker. One of the most important things for me is wrist comfort and for me the Submariner wins this in spades.
I find it very difficult to live with a watch that rides high on the wrist, notwithstanding I do appreciate the extra dial sizing accorded to this model by virtue of the 43mm diameter.

[DrThom]

Thanks for the photos!

[www777]

Wow. Awesome post. Thanks. How were the Daytona oysterflex and which was your favorite.

[mtb]

Thanks for the photos!

May I check the width of the new clasp on the new SD?
I guess if they bother to manufacture a new one, and they want to keep to that golden taper (20-16), it might be a 18mm clasp?

[Smarties]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

It was pretty close to same as SD4K.



I think i agree with you. I think I still prefer my SD4K.

SD43 thickness was no more/less than SD4K (based on what I saw). Although the SD43 seem to fit lug to lug, overall the watch did wear "large". SD43 was very nice but can't say that I was salivating over it




see above

Thank you very much!

[WAK4]

Thanks for sharing... What did you think of the blue in the Sky dweller? There was another post that said it wasn't as impressive in person.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by WAK4

Thanks for sharing... What did you think of the blue in the Sky dweller? There was another post that said it wasn't as impressive in person.

The SkyD Blue was nice.... unfort didn't really blow my socks off

Personally, my favorites were WG Daytona and the Moonphase

I really wanted to like the SD43, but it just didn't do it for me. perhaps it might grow on me? Don't know.... maybe I really like my SD4K

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by G'ed

Thanks for the feedback. I feel like we are having about the same wrist size, 6.5-6.7in so I guess new SD will be too large for me.

my wrist is just under 6.75

[droptopman]

Thanks for the post and pics
I dig that Cellini moon phase.
Like the TT SkyD in cream too. Need to handle both of these soon.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by mtb

Thanks for the photos!

May I check the width of the new clasp on the new SD?
I guess if they bother to manufacture a new one, and they want to keep to that golden taper (20-16), it might be a 18mm clasp?

the new SD43 has a wider clasp.

[904VT]

Thanks for sharing!

1. That bezel on the new Sea Dweller looks huuuggge! Deep Sea Sea Dweller size. I still can't figure what I think about this watch.

2. Oysterflex Daytonas look great

3. Same goes for the Sky Dwellers, they look great. The black dial looks much better in pics than press shots.

4. Cellini moon phase is an unexpected piece that looks very cool. I think Rolex needs to shift the focus of the Cellini line towards the higher-end, high-complication pieces. A few innovative movement complications and these could very well compete in high end space. A Rolex Cellini Minute Repeater would be darn cool and probably get my money before a piece from AP, PP, VC with the same.

[kboy2379]

Thanks for sharing!

[Smarties]

I was the first on the waiting list of SD50 at an AD. Hoping AD will honor the list......(not too optimistic)

However, I really like the SS Sky-Dweller although I was never a fan of fluted bezel. Blue dial looks stunning but I personally like the black dial better.

[jagwap]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Yeah all that lovely grease....I just don't like the fact they put MSG into it....

As to the 43mm Sea-Dweller:
I've heard the casebook protrudes significantly, and for me that is the deal breaker. One of the most important things for me is wrist comfort and for me the Submariner wins this in spades.
I find it very difficult to live with a watch that rides high on the wrist, notwithstanding I do appreciate the extra dial sizing accorded to this model by virtue of the 43mm diameter.

There is nothing wrong with MSG. Naturally occuring and no evidence against it. Huge urban myth on the health issues. That cannot be said for KFC though.

Agreed on the caseback height. It was that making me hesitate on the SD4K. But the Sub is not as good as the GMTIIc in this regard. The GMTIIc is beyound flush.

[GiantRobot]

This is awesome! Can't wait to see the SD43 in the flesh.