SD43 and 2018 DSSD Comparison

[16610v]

Wow,,,great post!!

[roosvelt]

It's just amazing with just a few mm thicker the DS is almost 13000 feet and the 43sd is at 4000 feet.

[mikkoi]

Nice post OP. Thanks!


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[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by gt0279a

Exact same caseback as the SD4k, just like the SD43 and DSSD have the same bracelet link sizes (everything is identical except the clasp and endlinks)

i was referring to sd43 vs dssd... not sd4k

also, just to clarify:
sd4k used 20mm bracelet
dssd used 21mm in previous version... 22mm in new 2018 models
sd43 has 22mm

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by GL33

I actually find the thickness of the crystal on the DSSD to make it less legible at many different viewing angles than the SD43. Slightly larger hands on each would be perfect in my opinion.

they use dome crystals to make the dial more legible in deepsea

the flat crystal is prone to reflection under water

[Pacc12]

Nice review, thanks for sharing.

[oldman2005]

Cool pix. I once tried out the SDDS and it was bit too big for my wrist but I can still manage the SD43, both are cool watches!

[drmizzou]

Thanks for the review and comparison!

[CEG]

Amazing pair of watches you have right there, Sir!

[17noir]

Thanks for the comparison!

[singe89]

Thank you for the side by side review. I had the original DSSD V series and let it go. Wanted to get the updated SD or DSSD and thanks to this comparison I think the updates to the DSSD will make for my perfect rolex. Should be here tomorrow.

[bluered]

Just amazing the engineering of the deepsea. Just a few mm thicker but 3 TIMES the depth rating over the sea dweller ! The dome crystal was not made to make it the dial more visible, its domed to deflect water pressure.

[gsteve]

they should have put the dssd clasp on sd43 , would have made it perfect.

[Comex5514_]

DSSD is way too big for my boots, I've got the big size twelves on my feet. Only joking, they both incredible, if I had to choose one it would probably be DSSD

[SS Oyster]

I think there may be more than 1mm in thickness, but even so the SD43 appears far far thinner because the case is narrower, but this is a bit misleading as the caseback protrudes far deeper from the case in the back, which can for some wrists mean discomfort. The SubC is comfortable because no protrusion and feels like a cushion case, where the SD43 definitely feels round in the back from that protruding case. The DSSD with its massively thick case (even though much heavier) spreads the weight out (more akin to the SubC) because the caseback is more flush) providing a much broader surface to carry that heft.

That’s my initial perception after owning SD43 for months but the DSSD only since yesterday ;)




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[2001jesper]

That DSSD is stunning in person

[ChronoHog]

Some great info in this thread - thanks all. I have an SD43, and would like an SDDS next, so this really useful as I've been concerned about wear-ability.

[returntorolex]

I actually like the cyclops....and the 22mm end links.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by gsteve

they should have put the dssd clasp on sd43 , would have made it perfect.

I have to disagree.

You lose sight of the fact that the DSSD is their technological showcase/premium diver model. King of the hill, top of the heap.
Therefore it stands to reason it should not ever have it's industry leading masterpiece clasp on any other Rolex model.
That is until they decide to discontinue the DSSD

[JUSTIFIED]

Originally Posted by GTC

At delivery the two surprises for me included that the 126660 is surprisingly easy and comfortable to wear. Can be enjoyed as a daily with no problem. And, as the OP notes, the DSSD is also more legible than the SD43.

Subjectively, while the SD43 has a more appealing dial than the black DSSD, the DSSD Blue stands at the top of all three by a margin.

Having tried on both before going w/ DSSD Blue, I completely agree. I first tried on the SD43. When the Deep Blue was revealed to me I knew right then that it was game over. However, I had always wanted one so am sure I was slightly biased.

[direwolf]

I think there may be more than 1mm in thickness, but even so the SD43 appears far far thinner because the case is narrower, but this is a bit misleading as the caseback protrudes far deeper from the case in the back, which can for some wrists mean discomfort. The SubC is comfortable because no protrusion and feels like a cushion case, where the SD43 definitely feels round in the back from that protruding case. The DSSD with its massively thick case (even though much heavier) spreads the weight out (more akin to the SubC) because the caseback is more flush) providing a much broader surface to carry that heft.

That’s my initial perception after owning SD43 for months but the DSSD only since yesterday ;)

Do others agree with this post? It is curious why the SD43 would not have come with a larger caseback. Seems lame to use the older SD4K caseback if that is true. Really wondering about long term comfort on the wrist between the new Deepsea and the SD43.

[brandrea]

The DSSD is approx. 2.5mm thicker in case height than the SD43. 15.2 vs 17.7 depending on who measures it

[BigBoy17]

The deepsea is a monster, and a better looking piece.

[Rolex.c6]

Great shots. Had the chance to try them both on. I found the size difference is quite noticable. The DSSD felt like a huge watch which in my opinion needs a big wrist. The SD43 hardly felt bigger then my SD4K.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by direwolf

I think there may be more than 1mm in thickness, but even so the SD43 appears far far thinner because the case is narrower, but this is a bit misleading as the caseback protrudes far deeper from the case in the back, which can for some wrists mean discomfort. The SubC is comfortable because no protrusion and feels like a cushion case, where the SD43 definitely feels round in the back from that protruding case. The DSSD with its massively thick case (even though much heavier) spreads the weight out (more akin to the SubC) because the caseback is more flush) providing a much broader surface to carry that heft.

That’s my initial perception after owning SD43 for months but the DSSD only since yesterday ;)

Do others agree with this post? It is curious why the SD43 would not have come with a larger caseback. Seems lame to use the older SD4K caseback if that is true. Really wondering about long term comfort on the wrist between the new Deepsea and the SD43.

SD43 is perfectly comfortable, the caseback was a complete non-issue for me and only realised it was a "thing" after watching a YouTube review after I bought mine. It's a heavy watch but it's easy to forget it's on the wrist and there is certainly no discomfort at all from the caseback. The only exception to that would be if you like wearing your watch loose, but in that case the DSSD is an even worse choice.

I've never owned a DSSD, but had the opportunity to wear one for a few hours and I was vaguely amazed to find it was not completely unwearable on my small 6.5" wrist, but I found it more noticeable (and therefore less comfortable) than the SD.

[carlhaluss]

Great comparison and photos. Thanks! The crown and the crown guards on the DSSD look heftier to me as well. Both are spectacular!

Cheers,
Carl

[direwolf]

Thank you Zakalwe for the feedback.

[SS Oyster]

A few more comparo pics.













My best two pics of each watch

[gttime]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

A few more comparo pics.

Thanks for adding those and the scale shots.

[JePro]

Originally Posted by gttime

In another thread someone asked me to compare the SD43 and 126660 DSSD sizes.

Here is a quick rundown. The bezels are identical in size at least according to my very cheap plastic calipers. ( Measurements are close approximations I’m not grabbing my metal calipers for these measurements)

The case width including crown appears to be 1mm wider on the DSSD.



The lug to lug length appears to be 1mm longer on the DSSD.



The DSSD is 2mm thicker.



Hope that’s useful. They are both beauties maybe a bit too similar for most but I’ll hang on to them. I find the DSSD to be a bit more legible especially without the cyclops.

Great job on comparing both great watches. Would love if you can write down their measurement though.