Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 | Is it the BEST Rolex dive watch?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 | Is it the BEST Rolex dive watch? on the JustBlueFish TH-cam channel, home of high quality wristwatch and horology related reviews and videos.
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Is the Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 the best Rolex dive watch? Does it make for a better every day time piece than the venerable Rolex Submariner Date 116610LN? We will explore that question and compare the Sea-Dweller and the Submariner to one another in this video today!
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Thanks for watching!
#Rolex #SeaDweller #Submariner
Congratulations on such a thorough and detailed review.
I tried both at the AD back in 2017 before they were next to impossible to get. I found the Sub small for a diver, coming from a Planet Ocean 2500 XL, a Breitling Seawolf and other 44mm+ divers.
The wrist presence of the SD felt a lot more satisfying to me. It's large and sits a bit high, but not too much, just enough. Also it feels special being an anniversary edition. Finally, the movement is technically superior in terms of accuracy, shock resistance, anti-magnetism and the extra power reserve is useful.
My biggest problem with the Sub is not the size however, I own a 40mm Yacht-Master, a dressier version with less water resistance which I adore for other reasons. My main gripe really is the supercase, I hate it. On my wrist the watch looked square to me and oddly proportioned with a bracelet looking too narrow for the head. I just couldn't get over it. I wouldn't wear one if offered to me. If Rolex were to go back to tapered lugs and would increase the size to 41.5 or more, I'd be interested in a No Date version. I doubt they'll change the supercase though as it clearly has its followers and the latest GMT has kept the supercase.
When deciding between the two, I can only say that it boils down to how it feels on the wrist. The technical differences become secondary and perhaps even insignificant if the less capable piece looks better to you. Take the Deepsea, technically far superior but I can't stand the ring lock and off-putting thickness.
The SD43 was the winner without hesitation. It was an instantaneous decision for me. It felt amazing and still does. I understand the criticisms some might have, but they absolutely never crossed my mind.
Go with your feeling and don't try to rationalize spending 10k on a watch. It's an emotional decision first and foremost. You can then find some comfort in its value retention and the technical features but that can't be the main reason for buying a luxury piece.
If I was to ever liquidate my collection and become a one watch guy, the SD43 would be the last one standing.
Thanks for watching and for the comments I appreciate it.
Hey! Thx for the in depth opinion! You still have the same opinion on this watch? Thx!
@@erikhenriksson6658 Hiya. Still love the SD43. It's a great piece, almost perfect. After 3 year's ownership, there's one little thing I would change if I must nitpick. I find the dial a tad small for the case. It's essentially the same size as the one in the Sub, about 27mm, perhaps slightly more but less than 28mm. I wish they'd use a bigger dial, like the one in the Exp II 42mm or the YM42. That would bring even greater legibility and thus somewhat justify the larger size compared to an equally capable SD4K 116600.
But really that's splitting hairs. To this day it remains my favourite piece in a humble collection. To me it's the most attractive sports steel Rolex.
Nexus Achilles got it. Ive put my name down on the list. Lets see how things go. Couldnt care less about mkI or mkII.
Thx!
@@erikhenriksson6658 you're welcome and good luck!
Yes for me the SD43 is the best Rolex diver!
Thanks for watching.
no,. the matt dial looks horrible..
The Sea Dweller is the greatest dive watch ever made imo. The sub is just a status symbol for watch nerds at this point.
@@hansmartin3028 the matt dial is what sets it apart. Way nicer than the gloss of the sub.
The SD is amazing. For those who haven’t tried it on you really need to. It wears much smaller than a 43 mm watch should. I don’t have large wrists, about 6.5”, and I find it very comfortable. I owned a 5 digit before the SD43 and i think it feels very similar to the older model.
The Seiko SKX007/009 is a 43mm watch and the SD43 wears significantly larger. If you like big watches that's fine, but don't kid yourself, it wears big.
I’m not kidding myself nor did I say it isn’t a large watch. It is large, but I don’t believe the dimensions tell the whole story. If someone is considering buying and is concerned about the size i am simply suggesting it wears smaller than one might expect.
@@JustBlueFish u see the def. for "significantly" in a dictionary lately? Linguistics R rusty.
I own all of the current Rolex dive watches...2018 Deepsea Sea-Dweller James Cameron, 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller 43mm, and a Submariner (Hulk). When I hear you ask which one is the best dive watch then I have to take the question literally...and the answer is the Deepsea because of its depth capability and because of its increased functionality in the clasp. These are the same reasons the SD43 wins out over the Submariner but loses out to the Deepsea. If you base it on other reasons then you get opinions based on aesthetics or particular wrist sizes...and the answer would then deviate from the literal best dive watch question. Now, to contradict myself, I would say that none of us are going to go to anywhere close to the depth rating of the Submariner...so we could say any one of them is the best, based on our particular preferences. But even saying that none of us will go beyond 1,000 feet deviates from the literal best dive watch question. It should not consider those things. That all said, if I answer the question of which of the three is my favorite, I would pick the SD43 because it is the perfect size for me, it is awesome in that it is the 50th anniversary, and I'm never going to go past 4,000 feet, let alone the 1,000 feet rating of the Submariner. ;)
Thanks for watching.
@@JustBlueFish Thanks for the vid!
Excellent response! Deepsea is to bulky for regular use and dimension s have already been updated by Rolex, Sub is a sports watch but same thing with the bracelet and case dimensions, I agree that the SD43 is the merging of the DS and the Sub and thus creates the best diving, the best sport watch and the better looking watch and that is because I have a small wrist and still went with the SD43!
@@masonn85 Thank you! I'm actually wearing my SD43 right now. It has the Mk1 dial, which was only produced in the first production year (Rolex always does something special in an anniversary production year that they don't do with versions made in follow-up production years). So, that makes it extra special. Like I said, I have the 2018 Deepsea James Cameron (126660). As you stated, they updated the dimensions with this watch. Specifically, they fixed a common complaint...the bracelet. As I'm sure you know, they thinned the lugs and widened the bracelet (and clasp) so it would sit better on the wrist. They also updated the 2018 version with the 3235 movement, giving it a much increased power reserve (now 70 hrs) and an increased resistance to shock (with the high performance paraflex shock absorbers). Finally, not many people know this but they lengthened the second and minute hands such that they are now perfectly flush with the dial markers. If you look at the 116660 Deepsea, then you will see that there's a space between the tips of those hands and the dial markers. If you go to my channel then you can see these three watches, and more. I actually bought yet another watch from my AD just today...another GMT (I already own the everose rolesor Root Beer, two Pepsi jubilees, and two Batmen). This time I got a 116710LN, which is the SS black bezel GMT. I will post a video soon as to why I think this one is the best of all of the current GMTs. That all said, later this month I think we will see some changes in the GMT line (Baselworld 2019).
So many people think the Deepsea is too large, and it is big for a Rolex, but compares similarly to other newer watches. I have a Citizen chronograph almost identical in size. Even smart watches like the Galaxy S3 are 44mm.
Granted, I have a 9" wrist, but I think the Deepsea is not as oversized as people say.
Sea Deweller is one of the most beautiful sport watch by Rolex.
and what do you thing about the matte dial ? is not real black isn t it ?
@@hansmartin3028 imagine if its real black...damn!
I find my 126600 has the right proportions, whereas my subs were kinda small. The added power reserve and anti magnetism is a game changer for Rolex, long awaited.
Aren't the Submariner and the SD43 equal in terms of anti magnetism?
@@JustBlueFish No the 126600 uses new material similiar to Omega. I was at Rolex HQ where they were tell me about it. The parachrom blue was the innovation for the sub in the last decade. They upped it for the 12266 due to Omegas 15000 guass.
@@JustBlueFish Rolex Sea Dweller 50th Anniversary 126600 has a mechanical automatic self-winding Rolex "Chronergy" caliber 3235 movement. It's rhodium plated with fausses cotes embellishment, and it has the new Chronergy escapement with extremely high energy and dependability. It's made of nickel-phosphorous and is insensitive to magnetic interference. There is an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring connected to the oscillator, a Rolex overcoil, and a monometallic anti-magnetic balance adjusted or temperature and 5 positions. The 3235 movement has 14 new patents. - Source: European watch company
Cool thanks for the info. I assumed since they use the same parachrom hairspring they would share the same anti-magnetic properties.
Great vlog Guy. I had a ceramic sub date, as soon as my SD43 arrived the Sub went. OK I have a 7.5" wrist but for me the SD43 is the best Rolex I have owned, and i've had a few. The new movement performs within a second per day, the wrist presence, the pop of red on the dial.
Yeah at 7.5" to 8" I could see the SD43 being much more favorable. I'd probably lean that way if I had a wrist size to support the extra watch.
Great choice! I have a small wrist but the qualities of the SD43 are a strong push to perfection by Rolex, merging the deepsea and the Sub and creating the SD43
@@JustBlueFish i have a 17 cm wrist and i tried it yesterday. I was expexting it to be big but it was just perfect.
The SD43 sits perfectly on my 6.5 inch wrist.
As always another EXCEPTIONAL and careful review. I had the opportunity to have three watches in front of me the day I made my purchase nearly a year ago: the BLNR “Batman”, the sub (with date), and the SD43. My wife felt strongly that both the BLNR / sub looked puny on my roughly 8” wrist. When I put on the SD43, it felt and looked like what I had hoped the sub would feel. I love the lines and now...it almost never comes off my wrist.
On a wrist your size the SD43 makes perfect sense. I bet the Sub and GMT looked good too though.
Sea-dweller has 2 features which I desperately wish Submariner had: red lettering that breaks the black monotone of the dial, and the broader gap between the bezel and the dial which again helps relieve the blackness of the watch's face.
Like I said in the video, if anyone likes the SD43 better because of the style and aesthetics I can't argue against them. That's perfectly reasonable.
I have the SD43 and love it, perfect size for me.
i love my SD43 - to me the red line just give that extra pop (referencing the original SD).
It's pretty dark, I really don't even notice the red in most lighting conditions.
@@JustBlueFish the red line text horological presence in rolex dive watches gives the sd43 reference from its early beginnings.
@@genkifd I think he knows that - he is just saying it is not that noticeable
I know a lot of people don't like this big size, but to me this is just the perfect size a diving watch should be. This comment is coming for somebody who owns a Breitling super Avenger 48mm in Size.
Love how you have the hands synced on the pair.
Luggs and bracellet match better than the maxi case from the Sub
Wonderful design. In my opinion the Sub has to be rededigned. I see it happening soon. (Baselworld 2019 should be)😀
Thanks for watching Pedro.
did you mention that the dial on the SD has a matt finish compared to the gloss dial on the Sub?
Also that the graduations on the bezel of the SD go all the way around wheras they stop at 15 minutes or the 3oclock position on the Sub?
I own both SD43 and Hulk. I got to say the SD43 BITCH SLAPs the Hulk! Best wrist presence of all Rolex sports models, so long as you actually have a man’s wrist. 7” minimum.
Thanks for watching.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews. my pleasure 👍
SD43 is cooler and prettier, especially with that splash of red. Overall, it's simply more special and has much better wrist presence.. Fewer made and fewer in the wild. However, you need to make sure you can pull off the size. Anyone with less than a 6.5 inch wrist should probably look elsewhere. Good review.
I have an 8-inch wrist. I bought the SD43 (with a premium!) because it is a Subby right-sized for my wrist. If I could lose the HEV and some of the thickness - I would have been very happy to buy a 43mm Submariner ...but it doesn't exist. However, I can tell you that it does not look awkward or oversized on a big wrist like mine - it looks AMAZING!
Another great video.
Personally, 6'3" 340lb 8.5" wrist, the Sub fits my huskiness just fine. Lol
After wearing so many large watches, with larger steel bracelets, the heft of the super case and trimmed bracelet is comforting. It took me a week or so to visually get used to the smaller footprint, but I'm quickly discovering it's perfect use as a comfortable sport watch. After a week on the bone, I hardly notice it there, and I'm less likely to bang it on something. :)
Worth every penny.
I've been diving since 1986 and this watch is and will always be the best in the diving community. I guess you can say the Sea Dweller is a true tool watch, especially before dive computers started coming out. The Sub seems to be more of a status symbol for non-divers in my humble opinion. The Sea Dweller is and will always be my grail watch. The reason for this is I can buy a full set of high-end gear for less than the price of the watch. Great review as always! It was great to see a little love for the Rolex Sea Dweller.
Wow a full set of Scuba gear costs more than $11k? I had no idea.
I don't see why anyone would wear a Rolex for diving rather than a dive computer
@@JustBlueFish "full set of high end gear for LESS than the price of the watch". That I mentioned in the first post...also...remember in the 1980's you can purchase this watch for around 2k...
@@jeanraspail2979 Back up if dive computer fails (watch and dive tables). You can also have two dive computers (redundancy) but they are pretty silly wearing around town...Rolex is more of a statement piece. Most divers I know go with Seiko, Citizen, or Oris.
Been diving since the early 70s. No recreational diver I ever met really used the mythical advances of a Rolex Sea-Anything. The things divers like me enjoyed about using a Rolex underwater were the cyclops amplification of date, the rotating bezel, and the bright lume. Those were useful features we all enjoyed about Rolex. The rest is more about how the brand inspired us to “go adventuring.” But again, the days when an average Joe could walk in and buy a Rolex adventure watch without the nonsense of limited availability are long gone. Enter Rolex 2.0: A masterful marketing campaign that is to watches what Absolute is to vodka. How unfortunate. Rolex has possibly ruined the original myth the brand built. The gentrification of Rolex for dollars is what I see - same fate as Harley motorcycles. The 1953 Everest summit project has nothing to do with Rolex bling at the Augusta Golf Club or with sipping gin at the lawn on Wimbledon. Mind you, I love tennis :)
The Rolex Sub was sometimes a headache: The reflective glare coming off the glass was a real drag to contend with when using the Sub under water. The rotary bezel was a joy, yes, and in proper lighting conditions, a Sub dial’s simple legibility on a black background was useful. That said, the Rolex romance has limited professional use. Yes, saturation divers do like Rolex, but not for the reason people think. Using a Rolex watch in saturation diving conditions simply keeps people connected to surface life. A watch brand that lauds divers and can be worn when working below the surface simply normalizes the otherwise denaturalized conditions saturation divers endure. For modern tool watches that really DO something, we have to turn to instrumental and precision watchmakers such as Muhle Glasshute and the brand’s lineup of S.A.R. watches or to Sinn’s special models designed for real-life medical applications. Note: I love Rolex. My family has been buying Rolex timepieces for 75 years, but romance can sometimes fall short of reality.
Hey Guy! Hope you’re doing well man👊! AD “ordered” me a 126603 today so i figured dive in and do a little more research into the model. Your channel and content has been a staple of my watch journey for what seems like a decade and I love using your content as a reference. It’s like an encyclopedia man! Take care of yourself brother 💪👊🤞
Thanks for the praise and I hope you get the call to pickup your new watch soon!
For decades, I used to constantly SCUBA-Dive, Water-Ski and Fish in Salt-Water and wore a Submariner 100% of the time.
Over the decades I seem to prefer thinner watches....DJ, Explorer-I & II, etc...
In December, my AD held the SD-43 for me to buy.....it's a GORGEOUS watch, but I passed and bought another DJ-41 instead.
For rugged (summer) outdoor usage I prefer the Explorer-II 216570 more than any others these days.
I wasn't going to buy the SD-43 just because it's popular, but if I was in my early 20's again the SD-43 is the one I would have purchased had it been available then.
Thanks!
Good on you for not just jumping on a trend, or buying it solely to flip for a small profit. So many people would have just pulled out the credit card without thinking about it.
The best no-nonsense review on Rolex dive watches. Great job presenting a lot of useful information.
For me the best Rolex diver is the SD 4000 (reference 116600)
Thanks for watching I appreciate it.
Agree
Very thorough review, however, I think you may have missed an important detail (imo) - the 43mm Sea-Dweller has a matte black/dark grey
color dial, as opposed to the glossy deep black dial of the submariner. In many video reviews of this watch, it's sometimes hard to pick up this difference.
Having bigger wrists, I prefer the dimensions of the Sea-Dweller, but I still prefer the gloss ink black dial of the sub.
I agree, a matte dial with shiny ceramic bezel looks even more odd.
I use the dive extension when I wear my divers over my jumpers, very handy.
I have the same wrist size as you, Guy. 50mm is the personal maximum I set for a watch’s “wingspan” so the Sea Dweller is, by a hair, already disqualified from the get go.
But honestly, the Sub wears SO much better thanks to its low profile.
I like the way the Sub wears a lot. One of my most comfortable watches in every way.
YOUR ARMS ARE GIRLIEARMS, POOR MAN
Sorry so late to the party but since I've been enjoying my 43mm Sea Dweller MKII dial for some time now, I wondered what others thought of the watch. Let me first say I love it and I will be getting the two-tone as well to complete the set. While I always find your reviews to be 'meticulously critical' I will point out that which you touched on yet side-stepped: You stated the features one pays for are of little value, which is probably true; however what you didn't say is that this is a 'luxury item' and therefore not a necessity to begin with. Nobody "NEEDS" a Rolex anymore than they "NEED" the helium escape valve. Anyone is buying this for the same reason they buy any Rolex......IT"S A ROLEX! This isn't a 'dive watch' it's a luxury status symbol, with a lot more status than a tiny submariner. 43 mm watches are nothing new, millions of people wear them daily including me, whatever brand that may be. For others like myself the very thing that turned me off my Yacht-Master is the very thing which turns me off the Submariner: the bracelet is....."PETITE" to say the least. I have a "round" wrist 6-3/4 to 7 and the Sea Dweller wears much nicer than my Omega Seamaster at 44.25mm and shorter lugs as well. If you want more status get the Sea Dweller. If you want a more feminine profile get the Submariner. (It's kinda like carrying around my 11 pound 17" Alienware : because I'm a MAN and I can)
GetOuttaTheJohnBoy I’m very late to the party 😅 Agree with you 100% I’ve tried on a few Subs and yes just too small.. Sea Dweller is my grail.. I’d even pay a premium!
@@simondouglas3519 how much Premium?
Sea dweller for me. It's a beast and has a commanding presence. Hard to believe that a 43 mm is regarded as too big. I think a 40 or 41 is a little small. I think the Sea dweller day is coming.
Too many folk fail to remember the Sea-Dweller is made for an industrial diver: not for the armchair critic, many of whom never swim, let alone dive. The Sea-Dweller is very small in size in relation to its professional purpose. You need to mention the SD is more interesting with its bezel, the red writing that "pops" and the discrete helium valve.
The SD43 is far superior. It has perfect balance and dimensions and a much nicer bezel.
Perfect size, trust me. Try one on if they are even available lol
Why is the escape valve polished? This watch was brutally polished!
Eugen Dragomir I Know. I noticed that too. I have one and is not polished at all.
I sold my sub and bought the SD43. Absolutely happy with my decision and I think the SD43 is... almost, a perfect watch.
The Sea Dweller is definitely a beautiful watch. What I don't get is everybody talks about the 43mm case and 15.5mm thickness as excessively big numbers. This is a dive watch and you want it to be big. I wear my Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer for the past 20 years and it is 43mm case and 16.4mm thick, it weights in at 7.5 oz. yet I didn't feel it is overly large or bulky. I am 5' 7" 150 lb and my wrist is considered small. I do have the Sea Dweller in mind just can't decide on all steel or steel and gold.
With the maxi case Sub it looks like Rolex made the case and just matched it to the older bracelet at the lugs, just too damn boxy for me. While the 22mm bracelet on the Sea-Dweller make the lugs look like a classic case and fits the 43mm size much better, to go even further compare the Sea-Dweller to the Deepsea and its 21mm bracelet and its just too small for the huge, thick case! Rolex nailed the new Sea-Dweller as a happy medium between the Sub and the Deepsea.. Another great review!
The Deepsea watch/bracelet definitely felt like an awkward combo, but they updated that this past year if I'm not mistaken didn't they?
Looks like Exquisite sent you a replica SD43!! Polished helium escape valve and numerals on the bezel look off. I hope that they wouldn’t sell it as a genuine one !
Why the gas escape valve so Shiny？ is it supposed matte finish ？
replica !!!
This version also has the mk1 dial, the actual 50th anniversary from 2017.
The Dial is horrible. It looks so ugly with this matte finish. it looks old and cheap
Hans Martin you never miss an opportunity to voice your negative opinion.
I had the 16610, 116610ln and 116600 but always the felt small so try the deep sea and was to tick, now have the 126600 and is great for me, like I said before no matter what people think about a watch, if you like it that’s what really matters
SD is far more attractive to look at. The red writing adds a touch of class. I like the infill on the bezel.
The red text is nice.
Good video, man! I have the 12660, and think it's very cool, and love the 70 hour power reserve. I like how the proportions are set like the earlier subs, and don't like the maxi lugs on the new subs.
Nice, enjoy that Rolex and thanks for watching Tom.
Respectfully and with all deference, my opinion is that this is a forty minute video of you justifying to yourself why you don't have an SD43. Nothing wrong with not having one. I have a 6.5 inch wrist...maybe a hair bigger; and I love my SD43, as I do my Luminor Manrina and Submersible Panerais (at 44 and 47mm bezels). Still wear my Submariner at least twice a week (finally upgraded to the maxi case in 2014).
Honestly, I wish the SD43 had the same lugs and bracelet as the sub - I think it would have placed more emphasis on it's size. I wouldn't get rid of the HEV or the bracelet extensions. They're what make Sea Dwellers, Sea Dwellers. Tradition is important to more than just Rolex. Collectors pay close attention to those details, too. So do aficionados and followers of the brand. I though a collector like you (per your own statement in another video) would sympathize with that. In any case, thanks for the review. All the best!
The $2,800 premium for the Sea Dweller might be negated in today's Rolex market- Subs are being sold at premiums over MSRP,- are Sea Dwellers also? That would have been a relevant topic.
6 3/4" was probably the most consequential dimension in the presentation of this video.
$11,350 MSRP on the SD, and the lowest priced models on Chrono24 range around $13,500-$14,000.
IMO I believe the Deep Sea-Sea Dweller Challenger is the best & Limited Edition. I think they only made like 5 or so model's, please correct me if I'm wrong. I also like the DSSD James Camron Deep Sea, I love the black & blue dial. I have the 44mm DSSD 116660 rated depth 12,800 meters & I love it without the Cyclops. Call me crazy, but I would love to see a 48mm DSSD. Anything under that looks to little for bigger guy's.
My thoughts on the gas valve. If it wasn’t on he watch it couldn’t achieve the advertised depth rating and because it’s a purpose built tool watch, without the depth rating the watch becomes invalid. So you say keep the watch, loose the valve and bump it to a 300 meter rating? Now it’s just another sub variant. So to make this watch unique and special it has to have the gas valve and dive extension.
Fun fact, Seiko doesn’t need a gas valve to achieve extended depths. 😉
Not sure why that's bad? It would be another variation of the Submariner. They must make 100 variations of the DateJust.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews it’s simple though. If you don’t need or want that sort of tool, just get the sub.
It’s like taking a Corvette and putting a 160hp truck engine under the hood. Looks good. Sounds ok. Saves you money.
Would you buy a Corvette without the power just to save money? It would take all that is special from the icon and kill it.
I don't think the 160hp Corvette is a fair comparison. I would say it's more like buying a Stingray with 460hp instead of the Z06 with 650hp - which are options currently available in the Chevy lineup.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews sure it is. You still look cool. Very reliable. Just can’t do what the tool was originally designed for because of one minor design element someone didn’t like.
200meters is more than we’ll ever need. Who needs 1200meters (600hp).
People buy Corvettes to go fast. You can't go fast in a 160hp Corvette. No one buys a Sea Dweller to go down to 1200 meters or saturation dive. You can't compare the 2 things like that. It would be fairer to suggest removing the ash tray from the Corvette as a comparison, if Corvettes even have an ash tray anymore - I honestly don't know.
Regarding the width of the Submariner’s lugs, you need to remember that it was within the last five years, give or take, that Rolex made the Submariner’s lugs wider like that. In previous models, the lugs tapered like that of the Sea-Dweller in this review.
If your a bigger person, go with the Sea Dweller. Great review by the way. Your one of the best
The most comprehensive comparison I have heard yet, thanks.
Thank you!
You also forgot to mention that the new movement 3235 has 14 new patents. More reliable, more robust, more accurate. Also more antimagnetic. Btw...looks very good on your wrist, your just used to the size of the submariner. 👍🏽
yep mine submariner 16610 M series the rehault crown is not aligned too
Luxury watches are all about excess, and the SD43 meets that criteria, having features that the everyday person doesn't need plus a price that says it's just a little more special than the Submariner. Tool watches are all about having everything that one might need, just in case, and again the SD43 meets that criteria - the dive extension may not be needed to fit around the average wetsuit, but it will make it wearable around the sleeve of a drysuit or one that is meant to be used to dive in frigid waters such as in the winter or in the arctic. And to me, the ability to take off the watch and rotate to another watch, and come back to it 3 days later in the safe to find it's still within 1-3 seconds of atomic time is a big plus.
Good review. Appreciate the side-by-side comparison.
Sd 43 jou show in this video is a fake. Recognize it at the polish helium escape valve. The origin is grey...
I prefer the James Cameron Deepsea but nevertheless this piece your are discussing is as great 👍🏻
Dragonnetx Paul agreed.
No stone left unturned ! Excellent review of a trully terrific watch !
Thanks!
This is the finest dive watch Rolex has ever crafted. It is perhaps the finest dive watch in the world.
I totally agree
What about the Deepsea?
Since I'm not ready to spend this amounts to a diver but I like the glidelock I bought the DHgate 'James Cameron' to swim.
I'm shocked by their accuracy !
Thanks for watching.
I just like the size better! I like bigger watches so the 43 SD for me. Thanks for the review.
Rick
If you can take the size the SD43 is probably the better choice, though I do resent paying $2800 more for no tangible benefits.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews I couldn’t agree more on the cost difference. Like you said in the review some cool upgrades but absolutely none that I’d ever use. Give me a 43mm Sub and I’d be happy.
Rick
good job.
the sea dweller 126600 is the grail watch currently. subs will always be the go to, but that makes the sd43 that much more appealing. wear a deep sea for a while, the sd43 will feel like a submariner lol.
We need a 600m wr sub with a 42mm case ( a real 42mm not like the 2020 40.5mm we call the 41mm)
We already knew from the beginning of the video which dive watch you preferred! But a very useful and well done review, thanks!
I have the same wrist size and 126603 fits perfect. I think you are just bias because you have the submariner and you think its the best also because you got it from an AD no big deal.
Beauty is all about the right proportions and when it comes to watches, proportions on the wrist are equally important. Put a sub on an 8 inch wrist it it disappear. Put a Sea Dweller 43 on a 6 Inch wrist and it will look like wearing an ashtray. I for example can't feel Ok with any watch smaller than a 42mm on my 7.5ish wrist, no matter how much love I feel for a sub no date, I can't wear one. When the Sea Dweller came out, i tried it out and to me, this is the ONE.
You are, hands down, the best watch reviewer on TH-cam. Great content 👍
Thanks!
Just found one for a friend. He bought it. It’s a sub that has been improved in every way and is a bargain in Rolex land.
I like the Sea-dweller except for the hands, they look too short for the watch. I'm thinking you are correct, it has a larger dial. A huge help in deciding would be the weight., maybe next time you review 2 watches you could get weights.
Different number of links in the bracelet, probably not relevant to weigh them.
My Explorer 1 40mm had a perfectly aligned rehaut.
You overlooked the accuracy of the latest movement. My SD 43 kept within 4 secs in 10 weeks of daily wear. The current Sub cannot match this accuracy.
They both offer the same superlative chronometer guarantee, which is +/- 2 seconds per day. My 3135 Submariner is much more accurate that that, just like your SD43, but you can’t expect anything better than what Rolex states in the specifications list - and it’s the same specs for both watches.
You make it very obvious that you’re trolling for videos that validate your purchase.
If you have too much trouble deciding get a GMT or an Explorer or Daytona. Lots of choise if you can find one. Cheers
I'd vote GMT.
I have a reasonably priced everyday version similar to this lovely watch and love it.
Sea-gull Ocean Star.
I prefer aluminium bezels.
These 2 ceramics are too shiny.
Then your go-to Rolex dive watch should be the Sea-Dweller 16600. It's got the Calibre 3135 movement, 4000ft/1220m depth rating, no cyclops, and an aluminium bezel.
@@bloodymarvelous4790 I am 76 now so I like a cyclops, my eyes aren't so good now. I wouldn't need that depth rating, a bath or garden pond depth would do.
Great job, great points as well, especially pointing out that annoying escape valve on the Omega.. glad Exquisite Timepieces is helping you out so much!
Thanks Jeff. I do like the Seamaster, and the HEV isn't a deal breaker for me, but it's less than ideal. At least on the SD43 the HEV is low profile, but I can't get over the utter useless nature of it and the added expense it presents to the watch.
Agreed .. you're spot on as usual! Very useless feature/added cost.
To be completely honest the SD43 looks and fit a lot nicer on your wrist.
I didn't think so, I couldn't see wearing it routinely.
I thought the 43 looked great on your 6 3/4 inch wrist. Having said that, I think you should have put the sub on your wrist so potential buyers could see the comparison. I myself wear the 43 on my 7 1/4 inch wrist. I also wear an Omega Planet Ocean and a Doxa 1500T (a beast of a watch). So you get an idea of my preferences.
Owned it, really liked it, but flipped it for the 126660 D-Blue. I felt the SD43 was too similar to the Submariner, and the cyclops - just didn't do it for me. To each their own, I guess.
Great review.! But would have liked to hear why Sea Dweller has smaller Winder..?
I just bought my 114060 last weekend and I’m loving it. It’s my first Rolex. Like you, I have a 6 3/4 wrist. So for me, the sea dweller is definitely oversized. And you are spot on about the additional features of the sea dweller all being things that you will never use for the most part. Great vid
Thanks for watching I appreciate it.
I wish they would go back to putting more of a bevel to the transitions of the watch, also the brushing angle as in previous Rolex.
Rolex advertise that watch as 'the ultimate manifestation of Rolex’s leadership in divers’ watches and the result of decades of collaboration with diving professionals.' Most the diving features, especially those that are mot eyecandy, as you point out, seem to be pointless for people who doesn't dive. But if the watch looses those features and become more suitable for non divers which arguably wore it the most, don't you think it wouldn't affect its marketing, selling points and tradition?
Sure it would affect the things you mention, but I really don't think anyone but Rolex cares, divers are after-all not using these watches when there are computerized alternatives that are better in every conceivable way.
Very thorough review.
As a tiny-wristed individual, this edition of the SD is not suited to my wrist.
But I also don't quite adore the current Sub, which still seems a bit too squat and bulky to my eye, not in a dealbreaker sort of way. The differences are slight, after all. But when you sit a current reference beside a vintage reference, it certainly seems less well-balanced. I hope Rolex returns to that sleeker look in the future now that the big, beefy watch craze is no longer at its peak (and, though this might just be me, I'd like it if they ditched the glossy bezel).
I don't think Rolex is going to go back to the older style case anytime soon.
@@JustBlueFish You're almost certainly correct, but hope springs eternal.
An aligned of Reinholt is Xs land on markers to the right and Rs land on markers to the left. It is NOT about the crown at 12 check Xs and Rs.
Ideally if it's engraved correctly they would all align.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews you would think right?
I get your point but without the helium escape you wouldn't get the depth rating and it wouldn't exist because it would just be a sub!
Not sure why that's bad? It would be another variation of the Submariner. They must make 100 variations of the DateJust.
“ need” ??? who needs a Rolex? Besides the point , it’s an awesome piece !!
From a collector’s standpoint, the 2017 Mark 1 version is the only true 50th Anniversary Sea-Dweller, and is therefore more desirable than the 2018+ releases.
If you are talking about divers in general 90% of them don’t do saturation diving therefore the submariner would be the perfect watch. I’m an instructor and have been on and off for over 30 years, I’ve used my sub as a back up to my computer and as a dedicated dive watch alongside charts, never failed me.
Another great video Guy. I really enjoy your comparison videos. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Buddah. I'll keep them coming.
PHIST!
Also, tell him to shave those Horns...
Ohh wait, sorry wrong channel!
Saturation diving is a very specialized form of diving; of the 3,300 commercial divers employed in the United States (in 2015), only 336 were saturation divers.
I think the SD 43 looked perfectly well on your wrist. But if you don’t feel comfortable with it then I totally understand. At the end of the day it’s all up to one’s own taste. My own wrist is 7 1/8“ and I will be going with the Deepsea plain black dial. This will be my first Rolex and I will be purchasing new. It is going to be my daily wearer. I’ve already put the 12k+ funds aside for the purchase. It will mark a very long (12 years) and very hard in coming milestone for me that I will hopefully be able to complete by December. Then I will make the purchase. Til then I am anxiously waiting. Great review and very helpful. This is the first of your videos I’ve seen and I’ll be on the lookout for more. Best wishes.
Thanks for watching I hope you Subscribe!
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews thanks again and yes I did subscribe.
Excellent look at the two...I totally would like the longer reserve and the red text. Size otherwise isn't bad for me, but that height! Dang! Still, I gotta try it. I did try the Deep Sea...Was mind meltingly beautiful with the graduated blue dial, but OMG what a monster!
Thanks for watching.
I have the Deep Sea, absolutely love it. Received it for my 40th birthday.
I do not like that the coronet on the crown is cocked and not straight up and down when fully screwed in. I've got a Longines Hydroconquest ceramic diver that has a perfectly centered signed crown with the Longines winged hourglass that lines up every time I screw it down.
Btw correction...
The Clasp on the SD43, and the Submariner are DIFFERENT!
The Submariner has a smaller Clasp, and also lacks the drysuit extension...
I don't think of the extension as part of the clasp, but rather part of the bracelet, since it's integrated in between links.
JustBlueFish Watch Reviews fair enough...
The Clasp is still wider and longer Guy
From everything I've read, it's actually the dial that is mounted out of alignment with the rehaut. I will also say that parallax makes it very difficult to determine if it is indeed actually misaligned. Either way, all these watches should be perfectly aligned.
I have a 6 3/4 wrist I don’t have any problem with it... try changing it to a rubber strap you will understand why it’s so good
If I were a professional diver I'd go with the Sea-Dweller. Since I'm not, I prefer the Submariner. But I can't afford either right now, so it's a moot point. By the way, there must be a good reason for the lack of AR coating. Is the glare an aesthetic plus in the eyes of some?
I wouldn't think anyone likes the glare, but people surprise me every day so who knows.
Good point on the glare. I don’t get it. That said...I’ve never found myself struggling to read my 126600 👍🇺🇸
"If I were a professional diver I'd go with the Sea-Dweller" -- If you were a professional diver, you would choose neither. Professionals use dive computers, not jewelry.
I think the official reason is that Rolex wants their watches to last as long as possible, and AR would deteriorate over time. Also it seems that many Rolex owners enjoy the bling that a lack of AR coating gives
"AR would deteriorate over time" -- That's true if it were outside coating, but most AR coatings are applied on the inside to prevent reflections between the crystal and the dial. That should not wear easily.
I have a SD 43. Wouldn't swap it for 2 Subs. Those "useless" features are what make the mechanical watch, such as tourbillon, minute repeater, etc. Mechanical watch is like a jewellery piece these days, otherwise just get an iWatch.
A tourbillion is more useful than a Helium Escape Valve. Every single person that owns a tourbillion can at least look at the movement in action, observe it, and appreciate the beauty of it. The HEV does exactly nothing for 99.9999% of the people who wear the watch.
@@JustBlueFish and people with a HEV can talk about their watch's ability to go deep under the sea. And that's a nice feeling. Just like having a 360 km/h on your Ferrari speedo. Nice talking point, but 99.99999% of people wouldn't drive that fast.
You’re right, and if I were reviewing Ferrari I would make that same argument. No one would drive that fast. Thank you for proving my point about the HEV.
Agreed! Casio still makes calculator watches...lol
Best sport watch ever SD43!!!!! Subs are juniors compared to the SD43..
So to be clear, should someone gift me Sea Dweller - I would gladly accept it, but if I am buying one for myself, due to the size of my wrist, I would like the Submariner. 48 hours of power reserve is fine for me as I would have it on a rotator if I am not wearing it. And the spects for me don’t really matter as no one is likely using it for what they are designed for. Rolex is known for its dive watch, but again day to day and even if you are using it for diving, it comes down to what you prefer. I don’t mind how thick the Sea Dweller is, but ultimately for me, the submariner is better.
Thanks for watching.
I just got my first rolex sew dweller 2 tone. I am loving it I have a sea master titanium had that watch for 10 years.
I have a Fenix 6 7 or something sapphire I belive it's like 50 mil
I am 6'3 240 lbs and anything like 40 miles is just not my cup of tea.
I amoving my SD 2 tone
For the same reason most people don’t drive a Bugatti at full speed, most people won’t do saturation diving. But to know that it’s capable of doing so is part of the charm. And whats funny, if it didn’t have it, you would find someone will complain about it 😂
The crown on the Sub seems to be bigger than the SD43.. also somehow the dial indices on the Sub as well seem to be bigger.. did you talk about time setting? As the way to turn the crown has changed from the old movement to the new!