D-Blue SD vs. SD43 50th...One & Why!

[Relentless]

I am coming up on bonus time at work. I want to add another Rolex and I have narrowed it down to these two watches. Right now I am leaning towards the James Cameron D-Blue. Please offer you thoughts on one vs the other and why. Thanks in advance.

D-Blue SD vs SD43 50th Anniversary


Ok go...


Cheers,
Bryant

[Rodrigo082]

Difficult to say - the SD43 is of course more comfortable and it has a great movement but the D-Blue is unique - hard - very hard choice

[Deepsea Blue]

I've got both and the SD43 gets more wrist time and is my daily beater.

[dr.fiddy]

I chose the SD43 due to comfort, design and movement...

[swils8610]

Neither. SD4k. But if I had to choose it would be the D Blue. The dial is amazing and it’s not seen in the wild much.


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[Regardless]

considering just the aesthetics and ergonomics- Between the two I prefer the SD43.
The 43mm case is just a bit more balanced -
Sits lower in terms of height plus it has a wider bracelet- 22mm vs the 21mm of the Deepsea. 1mm doesn’t seem like it would make a difference, but it does.

I love big watches. My favorite Panerai is 47mm, which I adore. I also have the black dialed Deepsea. But the Deepsea just sits a bit too high. Although it’s still a very comfortable watch and you get used to it after a day of wear, I just came to like the SD43 for being just the right balance of bigger dial but not too high.

Also, considering it’s 44mm, the dial still looks smaller than the SD43, probably because of the ringlock system rehaut.

All things considered, if the height is not an issue- The domed crystal and the blue dial of the D-blue is definitely beautiful, so it’s also a great pick.

[Bigblu10]

D Blue, the dial is a beauty. SD43 is just another plain black dial, IMO.

[rolexforum73]

Hard decision, I've had both sold them and bought again....Cameron I think!

[yxc145]

Both are amazing watches. But D-Blue is more unique, has a special story to it, I imagine Rolex probably will make more SD43 than the D-blue?
SD43 is more comfortable to wear.
My pick is D-Blue.

[sdgadave]

I vote SD43, I wanted the D-Blue, tried it on a few times and the dial is nice, its a little tall but manageable. Like others have said the bracelet is where the big difference is. I have an 8 inch wrist and the D-Blue looked small on the side for me. I bought the SD43 having never tried it on hoping for the best and it was the right choice. I think if you have a smaller wrist the bracelet would not make much of a difference, however if you have a larger wrist the SD43 fills the side better. Both are beautiful and there is no wrong answer. Happy hunting.


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[BadBoyR]

Dial is bigger in the d blue. I find mine comfortable.



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[ltmgeller]

I love my D blue. It does take its tole on the wrist after several days but that motivates me to rotate my watches more. Below is a pic of mine with a Great white shark. happy hunting.

[Ks6pd]

D-Blue. It's special I think. I've never seen another in the wild on a wrist or AD. As someone else said, the SD43 is nice, but it's too similar to the other black dial Rolex out there.

Having owned a D-Blue for a year now, no issues with comfort on my 7.25 wrist. The key is to find a good fit and to remove the divers extension. There are times i don't even feel it on my wrist and I get scared thinking I lost it only to look down and see it happily there on my wrist.

On paper, the SD43 is probably more comfy cause the dimensions. On paper is different then on the wrist. Many people who say its not comfy may never have worn it. I'm not going to lie, it took me about a month to find the right combo of links per side, diver extension vs no extension, etc before I found the perfect fit, but once I found it, on baby....

[HogwldFLTR]

Since both are too large for me so I'd go with the DSSD as being more unique. Personally, I too chose the 116600 SD4K.

[Mick8moses]

SD43 is the one i would choose.

[GinzoMatic]

D-Blue all the way... that extra 2,680 meters is clutch

[AK797]

I think as a one and only the D-Blue, otherwise the SD43 and add a blue dial.

[yannis]

SD 126600 is a more comfortable watch without a doubt. The DSSD has an amazing dial. The bracelet of the SD 126600 is better as in more proportioned to the watch. It also has a better movement. The red touch is also a major plus. Overall the SD is a more refined watch and it seems that Rolex has improvised. I have had both and i vote for the SD 126600.

[Simon_e]

Blue DS

[Richris1]

I’d say....Since it’s an additional piece, not a one and only, I’d go with the Dblue! Only if you can pull off the size. It’s a beautiful, bada** watch, but very tall.

[Cigarlvr07]

I have both and they are both awesome.the DBlue does seem to get more dings as it sticks out more but either you will not go wrong with

[Tony-GB]

Originally Posted by yxc145

Both are amazing watches. But D-Blue is more unique, has a special story to it, I imagine Rolex probably will make more SD43 than the D-blue?
SD43 is more comfortable to wear.
My pick is D-Blue.

The "D-Blue" is a marketing exercise to reinvent a slow seller. It's an afterthought. The black dial was used to go down the Mariana Trench and it was a black dial Cameron wore.

[faz]

I will not be in the market for a while, but for my next watch, I am highly leaning towards one of these two as well. A while ago I was at AD and got lucky to try them both on. (Here is the >> link << to that thread.)

For me: everyday use, I believe SD43 would be easier to manage and therefore a favorite. However, since it won't be a daily for me, and since I *really* like the engineering involved and bragging rights that go with a DSSD, and the fact that to the best of my knowledge DSSD is the king of all divers (somebody correct me if I am wrong, please), I am afraid I will be leaning towards DSSD if/when the time comes. And oh that domed crystal looks so nice.

[yxc145]

Originally Posted by Tony-GB

The "D-Blue" is a marketing exercise to reinvent a slow seller. It's an afterthought. The black dial was used to go down the Mariana Trench and it was a black dial Cameron wore.

of course! Rolex came out with this watch to commemorate his achievement. Cameron couldn't possibly wear a watch that was meant to do that. It's like asking the Cubs to wear the World Series Champ ring before they won.

[fidd]

D-Blue has beautiful dial and SD43 has better comfort.

Tough call but I would go for SD43.

[Muzz]

SD 43 has a much lower profile and wears easier in my opinion. Both pieces are really cool but the new SD for me fits me better.

[Gravity]

Tried both and the SD43 won me over hands down. I also liked the novelty of the Blue but the top heavy design of the DBlue just felt wrong on my wrist and I'm used to larger watches. I'll easily say my ROO 44 still wears much better than the Deep Sea did. Of course a personal choice but I highly recommend trying both on before deciding.

[brandrea]

It's a tough call Bryant. I've thought about which one I'd choose if I had to....

I can honestly say there's no right answer. If it was a daily wearer I'd lean toward the SD43; it's near perfect IMO.

The DBlue however, just makes me smile ear to ear every time I strap it on.

Good luck deciding, nice problem to have

[Angry-Gardener]

Pleasantly surprised the voting is so close. Expected the newer and more conventional looking SD43 would win by a landslide. If you know you will trade it on, get the SD43.

But, if it's a regular wear "keeper" I can only say My DSSD Blue is hands down "the one" watch for me. I wear it most days, and once I put a few days together its actually tough to let the rest of the herd get some wrist time.

Living with it, the blue fade looks different in every light. The thick domed crystal adds depth and mystery. The ring lock is its own statement.

The result is a watch that continues to surprise, bring pleasure and be unique over time... these are things some (like me) love but I also appreciate why the SD43 will outsell and outlast D-Blue in the lineup.







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[Hotrod297]

Tough choice!

As a collector: D-Blue, only Rolex watch to be officially named after anyone, and their diving accomplishments.

As a wearer: SD43, very comfortable & balance.