Dilemma: Rolex SD43 vs AP Diver 15707CE

[aproo]

So I am 2 minds about this, as a background, back in Sep 2018, I was deciding on the AP diver CF vs CE and ultimately went with the CF. However, 3 months into it, I got a bit tired of it and traded it away to my friend. Don't get me wrong, the CF was a nice watch with yellow strap but somehow my love for AP dwindled and I went to Rolex and PP. The only AP I kept was my RB2 which in my opinion, the nicest looking ROO.

Fast forward, I now have the opportunity to get the CE. I had a look at it and the orange color really pops and it somewhat feels heavier than the CF. The bezel is stunning and the whole watch looks very stealth. I am sure the watch will look amazing with the orange rubber strap.

I have the SD43 (MK1) and latest 126660 Deep Blue and wonder if 2 divers is a bit of overkill. I am thinking of letting go the SD43 and replace with the CE. I feel that I can always get back the SD43 if I want (I think) but the CE seldom surfaces.

As for price-wise, I have not been following the AP market for a while and wonder where it stands. Are the CE divers going down or maintaining at their retail level?

What do you folks think? Sell the SD43 and get the CE or just forget about the CE?

Cheers.

[AshAP]

Honestly I’m amazed you even need to ask, the SD43 is a nice watch but the AP ceramic diver is an amazing watch. The AP looks far superior and you’ll probably never see another person wearing one as it’s ultra rare.


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[ragsk]

Both my sons have SD43s and we all think its a great watch but I too would go with the 15707CE.

[aproo]

Thanks, I like the way you put it that the SD is a nice watch but CE is an amazing watch and I like that it is purportedly more rare.

My only concern is I fall out of love with the CE....haha.

Originally Posted by AshAP

Honestly I’m amazed you even need to ask, the SD43 is a nice watch but the AP ceramic diver is an amazing watch. The AP looks far superior and you’ll probably never see another person wearing one as it’s ultra rare.


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[APAP]

I had it and quite honestly got tired of it. Maybe it’s just way too sporty to my taste. I also had the 44CE at the same time so the diver got very little wrist time. Ymmv though.

[Soly20]

AP ceramic diver would be my choice.

[arnage]

The CE is one of the best, in my opinion. I've had mine for almost 5 years now. No gimmicks, very robust, and not a watch that will "fall out of fashion" anytime soon (not to imply that an SD43 doesn't have those qualities - but as far as APs go..).

Anecdotally, or if you want to believe the words of the Ginza AP boutique, only 350 were made. Yes, I'm aware that the serials might suggest otherwise, but I've also heard that AP serial #s don't increment one by one either. What I can say is that other than on the wrists of a boutique employee in NY and a dealer in HK, I've never see anyone else wearing one. So they are certifiably rare in my opinion, and consequently, the pricing has held quite stably (around list)

Excerpt from the AP Ginza email that was posted some while back:

お世話になっております。

セラミックダイバーはシリアルNo.の刻印はありませんが、

350本のみの限定生産のモデルですのでご安心くださいませ。

また、何かありましたらお問合せくださいませ。

今後とも宜しくお願い致します。

オーデマ ピゲ ブティック銀座
田中　綾子

-- and thanks to Google translate:
We become indebted to.

Ceramic divers are not marked with serial numbers [presume this means an engravement of x / total, as clearly the watches do have serials..],

Please be assured that this is a limited production model with only 350 bottles [pieces].

Also, please contact us if you have anything.

Sincerely.

Audemars Piguet Boutique Ginza
Tanaka Reiko

[AK797]

Originally Posted by aproo

Thanks, I like the way you put it that the SD is a nice watch but CE is an amazing watch and I like that it is purportedly more rare.

My only concern is I fall out of love with the CE....haha.

As Ash says should be a no brainer, different leagues, and should be no problem to sell as lots of interest in this still, should hold value.

[benlee]

Definitely the Ceramic Diver.

[1William]

I would stick to the Rolex divers. AP is a cool watch but it seems a lot of people move around a bit with them and your Rolex divers will always be strong.

[SMD]

If you have to ask then best to stick with Rolex.

[aproo]

Thanks for all the comments.

Quick question, does anyone know if the regular 28mm croc hornback fits the diver?

Cheers.

[brandrea]

Post in the Rolex forum, and the opinions will go the other way

The AP is a beautiful piece but I wouldn’t call it superior to the SD43 YMMV.

[redsubby]

It's a special watch....but you seem to get tired of a watch easily

[Watcheroo]

I’d go ceramic diver. No question

[alljunks]

you can never go wrong with either!!! depends on what you like more...

Personally the AP Ceramic is a more unique and limited piece, and of course... you can never go wrong with too many!!

[redsubby]

Originally Posted by alljunks

you can never go wrong with either!!! depends on what you like more...

Personally the AP Ceramic is a more unique and limited piece, and of course... you can never go wrong with too many!!

Wow that orange strap looks way too large for the wrist....

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by aproo

Thanks for all the comments.

Quick question, does anyone know if the regular 28mm croc hornback fits the diver?

Cheers.

Yes it does but you’ll need to buy a deployant clasp. My friend has a Diver and often has a horn back fitted. I think he paid the AD £700 for the deployant.


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[Xerxes77]

AP ceramic

[Burlington]

The CE is probably the coolest of all the AP divers. Good vs. Great sums it up nicely, but ultimately go with what you will enjoy the most.

[ufboy73]

Despite the fact that both are marketed and designed with a dive watch association and aesthetic, as watches, they are complete apples and oranges to me so depending on what one’s priorities are the choice should be clear

[niqui7ladoo]

The AP crushes it.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by redsubby

It's a special watch....but you seem to get tired of a watch easily

Summer heaven. That watch is beach foreplay.

[GB-man]

I’d go for the AP since you already have Rolex divers covered.

I’d also entertain a 44 ceramic for not much more coin.

[ppalasthira]

I’d go with the ceramic diver.


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[wiswrist]

CE Diver for sure! No one does ceramic like AP.

If you have the wrist for it, the 44CE might not be much more of a stretch ($ wise).

[Gravity]

I'm a huge AP fan but the SD43 has been the best all around watch I have ever bought. I'd choose the SD.

[aa909]

Get the AP Ceramic Diver!!

[aproo]

Thanks to everyone for their input.

I took the plunge and acquired the Ceramic. Finishing of the CE looks amazing especially when the light falls on it at an angle. This feels different form my previous CF and hopefully stays longer in the collection. Now deciding if I should wear it with the black or orange strap in time for summer..?

[systematic.entropy]

I have a SD43, and just picked up a ROO diver for my first AP. If I could do it over again, I would have either gone with something with some gold, like the rose gold/ti diver OR the WHITE ceramic diver. I am liking the watch so far, but it is has so much presence, that one more "special" feature would make it so much more. In other words, its' more than the sum of it's parts. My suggestion, go 15707CB.00.A010CA.01 white ceramic diver.