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Blue Bull · 2 January 2007, 03:00 AM

What exactly are the differences between the two ... ?

I know about the cyclops,the depth rating and price(Helium valve).What else ?

JJ Irani · 2 January 2007, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Bull

What exactly are the differences between the two ... ?

I know about the cyclops,the depth rating and price(Helium valve).What else ?

They even have the same 3135 movement.

SD has 5 full links on the '6' side, whereas the Sub-date has 4½ links. Rest is the same.

SD has polished sides on links, Sub has brushed (or is it the other way around

).

SD dial = 29 mm; Sub dial = 30 mm

SD is $200 more than the Sub-date.

Cheers - JJ

mrbieler · 2 January 2007, 03:19 AM

Found this on TZ which seems liked a good break down between the two:

Rolex Submariner Date vs. Rolex Sea-Dweller

A small comparison and my personal experience and view on the much discussed Submariner vs. Sea-Dweller debate.

In this comparison I'll use my ref. 16610LV and my ref. 16600, both well-known watches in the WIS-world I might say...

Design
Not much to say here, the (classic black) Rolex Submariner is THE best known divewatch on this planet, much copied design and leading in his class, the Rolex Sea-Dweller is the Submariner's bigger brother which has a few more innovations built into it for specific professional use. Both come with a classic black dial and the Oyster bracelet and have a date-feature. Both models use the Rolex cal. 3135 as a proven and reliable workhorse.

Differences, in short:
- The Submariner has a cyclops, the Dweller doesn't,
- The Sea-Dweller has a He-valve, the Submariner doesn't,
- The Sea-Dweller is around 2mm higher that the Submariner, due to the thicker crystal, case and caseback.
- The Sea-Dweller is rated for 1220 meters, the Submariner for 300 meters,
- The dial from the Sea-Dweller is 1mm smaller than on the Submariner,
- The Sea-Dweller comes with a toolkit, which (amongst other things) also contains a handy screwdriver for adjusting all your Oyster-bracelets (does not fit the Jubilee-bracelets though),
- The Sea-Dweller has engraving on the caseback, the Submariner hasn't,
- The rotatable bezel is slightly thicker on the Sea-Dweller,
- The Submariner comes on the ref. 93250 Oysterbracelet, the Sea-Dweller comes on the ref. 93160 Oysterbracelet.

Both bracelets are very similar in construction, apart from the smaller half-link on the 6 O' clock side on the Submariner (which help to keep the clasp more centered), and the SEL-pieces are slightly different. They both use the same diving-extension release method, and have the Flip-lock safetyclasp.

Blue Bull · 2 January 2007, 03:48 AM

Know nothing,then 5 min after presenting the question,I know the differences.Excellent !! Thanks ...

mike · 2 January 2007, 04:03 AM

Chris, as has been stated both watches use the same tried and true 3135 movement. I think from a practical standpoint one is as "tough" as the other.

To fully understand the differences I think we must revisit history. The submariner, being the older of the two was used as a professional diving tool by comerical concerns. During saturation diving a problem was identified as divers found the crystals being popped off their watches during decompression. Due to helium being used in the gas mixture used by these men the helium had a tendency to escape faster than the watch could handle blowing the crystal.
COMEX asked Rolex to find a solution and the HE valve was born,

Interestingly the HE valve was first used on submariner models ala the 5514 for example.

As divers explored deeper depths the need arose for a watch that could withstand additional pressures and the SD "evolved" if you will.

Because of the thicker crystal used on the SD the cyclops lens over the date was deleted.

Naturally the case of the SD was enhanced to counter the pressures at greater depths.

Because of the thicker case and differences in the extension and bracelet. Some find the SD sits a bit higher (me) and may slide a bit more on the wrist (of course depending on the size of your wrist.

The SD is the only watch from Rolex that comes with engraving on the back of the case,

Of course because they use essentially the same dial configuration (as stated a bit smaller on the SD) luminosity is the same.

My own view is that while the Sub is the the most popular sport model Rolex makes (today I tend to favor the Sub--don't know yet about tomorrow LOL!)
the SD presents a clean utilitarian look befitting a true implement.
I see far fewer SDs than Subs.

colemanitis · 2 January 2007, 04:53 AM

Great comparo, Mike! Love those pics!

worktolivelife · 2 January 2007, 05:03 AM

Great pictorial Mike!!

steve

tonelar · 2 January 2007, 07:28 AM

Great info in this thread... thanks JJ, Mr Brieler and MIKE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

The SD is the only watch from Rolex that comes with engraving on the back of the case...

In actuality it's the only current model with an engraved case back. Rolex has produced models in the past with case back engravings (ie mid 80's lady's models).

I've never noticed the half 5th link on my subs... goes to show you can learn something new every day in this forum.

Flyjet601 · 2 January 2007, 09:02 AM

Great comparison.

Thanks

Blue Bull · 2 January 2007, 11:29 AM

Brilliant info and pics.Thanks ... !!

2 January 2007, 03:00 AM	#1
Blue Bull Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,887	SD vs SS Sub/Date What exactly are the differences between the two ... ? I know about the cyclops,the depth rating and price(Helium valve).What else ?

2 January 2007, 03:19 AM	#3
mrbieler "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Jeff Location: Lost Angeles Watch: all about acrylic Posts: 683	Found this on TZ which seems liked a good break down between the two: Rolex Submariner Date vs. Rolex Sea-Dweller A small comparison and my personal experience and view on the much discussed Submariner vs. Sea-Dweller debate. In this comparison I'll use my ref. 16610LV and my ref. 16600, both well-known watches in the WIS-world I might say... Design Not much to say here, the (classic black) Rolex Submariner is THE best known divewatch on this planet, much copied design and leading in his class, the Rolex Sea-Dweller is the Submariner's bigger brother which has a few more innovations built into it for specific professional use. Both come with a classic black dial and the Oyster bracelet and have a date-feature. Both models use the Rolex cal. 3135 as a proven and reliable workhorse. Differences, in short: - The Submariner has a cyclops, the Dweller doesn't, - The Sea-Dweller has a He-valve, the Submariner doesn't, - The Sea-Dweller is around 2mm higher that the Submariner, due to the thicker crystal, case and caseback. - The Sea-Dweller is rated for 1220 meters, the Submariner for 300 meters, - The dial from the Sea-Dweller is 1mm smaller than on the Submariner, - The Sea-Dweller comes with a toolkit, which (amongst other things) also contains a handy screwdriver for adjusting all your Oyster-bracelets (does not fit the Jubilee-bracelets though), - The Sea-Dweller has engraving on the caseback, the Submariner hasn't, - The rotatable bezel is slightly thicker on the Sea-Dweller, - The Submariner comes on the ref. 93250 Oysterbracelet, the Sea-Dweller comes on the ref. 93160 Oysterbracelet. Both bracelets are very similar in construction, apart from the smaller half-link on the 6 O' clock side on the Submariner (which help to keep the clasp more centered), and the SEL-pieces are slightly different. They both use the same diving-extension release method, and have the Flip-lock safetyclasp. __________________ - Jeff Cursimus Cum Forfex

2 January 2007, 04:53 AM	#6
colemanitis "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Real Name: Jeff Location: Florida Watch: PAM 1090 Posts: 3,723	Great comparo, Mike! Love those pics! __________________ Member #471

2 January 2007, 05:03 AM	#7
worktolivelife "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,365	Great pictorial Mike!! steve __________________ MEMBER NO.142

2 January 2007, 03:48 AM	#4
Blue Bull Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,887	Know nothing,then 5 min after presenting the question,I know the differences.Excellent !! Thanks ...

2 January 2007, 04:03 AM	#5
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Chris, as has been stated both watches use the same tried and true 3135 movement. I think from a practical standpoint one is as "tough" as the other. To fully understand the differences I think we must revisit history. The submariner, being the older of the two was used as a professional diving tool by comerical concerns. During saturation diving a problem was identified as divers found the crystals being popped off their watches during decompression. Due to helium being used in the gas mixture used by these men the helium had a tendency to escape faster than the watch could handle blowing the crystal. COMEX asked Rolex to find a solution and the HE valve was born, Interestingly the HE valve was first used on submariner models ala the 5514 for example. As divers explored deeper depths the need arose for a watch that could withstand additional pressures and the SD "evolved" if you will. Because of the thicker crystal used on the SD the cyclops lens over the date was deleted. Naturally the case of the SD was enhanced to counter the pressures at greater depths. Because of the thicker case and differences in the extension and bracelet. Some find the SD sits a bit higher (me) and may slide a bit more on the wrist (of course depending on the size of your wrist. The SD is the only watch from Rolex that comes with engraving on the back of the case, Of course because they use essentially the same dial configuration (as stated a bit smaller on the SD) luminosity is the same. My own view is that while the Sub is the the most popular sport model Rolex makes (today I tend to favor the Sub--don't know yet about tomorrow LOL!) the SD presents a clean utilitarian look befitting a true implement. I see far fewer SDs than Subs.

2 January 2007, 09:02 AM	#9
Flyjet601 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hong Kong Watch: All of them Posts: 2,789	Great comparison. Thanks

2 January 2007, 11:29 AM	#10
Blue Bull Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,887	Brilliant info and pics.Thanks ... !!

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