im starting to appreciate the sd43 more lately. at first i was very against the cyclops, because the no-cyclops design is like a trademark of the sd. but then i learned about the history of how rolex was originally planned and tried to include the cyclops on the very first sd but they failed because they couldnt find the right adhensive material for the sd to go deep in the ocean without the cyclops falling apart from the crystal due to the pressure. and 50 years later, finally they did it. its more like an archievement and a completion for rolex and the whole sd history. so the cyclops seems to not bother me anymore. sorry for my long ass comment and poor english lol. great upload btw.
I opted for the new SD43. I had both, the SD43 and the James Cameron on the tray. I tried both on and it took me about 30 minutes to decide. In the end, I couldn't get over the SD43's proportions. It's darn near perfect. And I really like that they added the cyclops. The watch reminds me of my 16610. Just bigger and with updated materials (ceramic bezel). The watch is absolutely gorgeous and since it's a black dial, will be timeless. Add to that the improved movement and the fact that they will be nearly impossible to find for the next two years I feel like I made the right decision. But really, you can't go wrong with either one. Thank you for the in depth comparison video!!
Personally I find the new SD43 a very nice evolution of the SD! Rolex got it right this time, not like the DSSD... This new SD at 43mm is a great size as overall watch industry is making bigger watches, it was time for Rolex to come up with one sport version. The 50th anniv. of the SD is the perfect occasion and the SD the perfect model... Really great proportions, 3235 movement with an awesome 70 hours power reserve, and the RED markings.. Really nice move from Rolex!
I personally don't like the new sea dweller. Too big with the cyclops does not respect the heritage of the watch. I would have much preferred a double red dial with the same case dimensions as the sd4000. Btw thank you very much for not forgetting to measure the lug to lug distance!
The 116660 is the king of Sea Dwellers. I prefer the gen 1 Deepsea as it is the original and I prefer the thinner more elegant bracelet - gives the watch it’s quirky style.
Big wrist and/or oversized watch lovers can wear the 43mm. My 7” wrist the 40mm SD looks better proportioned. I also like the classic tapered lugs and no cyclops. The 44mm diameter 18mm thick Deepsea is a beast.
The sea dweller 4000 is boring and with a lack of character, the deep sea is grotesque and out of proportion with the bracelet. I had the chance to purchase a DS for way lower than retail and I could not pull the trigger but when I got the chance on the SD43, I didn't think twice! SD43 is the culmination of perfection when it comes to the Rolex Sea Dweller series and mark my words the SD43 is special.
Great video. I must admit, the old 116600 Sea-Dweller didn't make a lot of sense to me. It was Submariner size, but much thicker, and with the thinner lugs, I just didn't like the proportions. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the matte dial either. Stepping up the size now provides us with a standard, bigger and biggest choice in the dive watch offerings. All that being said, even the diving enthusiasts among us will likely never dive below 30 meters, or 10% of the rating of a standard Submariner. So is it really necessary to pay four grand more for a dive rating that maybe 0.00001% of buyers would ever come close to using? Unless you're genuinely a professional diver, it makes little sense. I do however like the James Cameron edition of the Deep Sea. That incredibly thick crystal almost magnifies the beautiful dial and gives the watch quite a presence on the wrist. That being said, at that kind of price point you could almost buy two more reasonably priced Rolex watches instead. So would you rather have a Deep Sea or say a GMT/Sub AND an Explorer for example. It's a big ask for some engineering you're never going to use, when you could have two excellent pieces for about the same price.
2 Rolex or a B DS? Excellent point! I'd take the Sub and the GMT over the deepsea! I find the DS grotesque and ugly with a paragraph on the dial, for what? I do believe the SD43 is a great watch given the history of SD and the special Red on it as for the cyclops, well , now wine can actually read the date!
Too expensive for a watch you would only wear very occasionally. For such usage, you can find a good deep diver at a much better price. And for this type of money, you can find a very good watch that you will wear much more often. So definitely an irrational choice to opt for this watch.
Have you ever owned a Rolex dive watch? Without question, these watches can be worn every single day of your life. These are not some delicate timepiece like the offerings from Patek, etc...These are everyday timepieces...one of the few consumer goods you can buy, use for decades, and sell for more than you paid for them.
![CHILE vs. BRASIL [1-2] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 9](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5ObJt_71AYc/mqdefault.jpg)
im starting to appreciate the sd43 more lately. at first i was very against the cyclops, because the no-cyclops design is like a trademark of the sd. but then i learned about the history of how rolex was originally planned and tried to include the cyclops on the very first sd but they failed because they couldnt find the right adhensive material for the sd to go deep in the ocean without the cyclops falling apart from the crystal due to the pressure. and 50 years later, finally they did it. its more like an archievement and a completion for rolex and the whole sd history. so the cyclops seems to not bother me anymore. sorry for my long ass comment and poor english lol. great upload btw.
I prefer the Deepsea Blue as well. It's a stunning and special piece.
I opted for the new SD43. I had both, the SD43 and the James Cameron on the tray. I tried both on and it took me about 30 minutes to decide. In the end, I couldn't get over the SD43's proportions. It's darn near perfect. And I really like that they added the cyclops. The watch reminds me of my 16610. Just bigger and with updated materials (ceramic bezel). The watch is absolutely gorgeous and since it's a black dial, will be timeless. Add to that the improved movement and the fact that they will be nearly impossible to find for the next two years I feel like I made the right decision. But really, you can't go wrong with either one. Thank you for the in depth comparison video!!
How have you been enjoying your SD43? I plan to get one next year, and am wondering how it feels after 3 months of wear.
Personally I find the new SD43 a very nice evolution of the SD! Rolex got it right this time, not like the DSSD... This new SD at 43mm is a great size as overall watch industry is making bigger watches, it was time for Rolex to come up with one sport version. The 50th anniv. of the SD is the perfect occasion and the SD the perfect model... Really great proportions, 3235 movement with an awesome 70 hours power reserve, and the RED markings.. Really nice move from Rolex!
The last Rolex Sea dweller made was the 116600 (SD4K) - it was perfect…
116600 SD4k is by far the superior watch. Rare too these days. Only 5 for sale on Chrono within the U.K. alone!
Absolutely
I find the 116600 much, much more balanced: the bezel on the new 126600 is imho too large...
I personally don't like the new sea dweller. Too big with the cyclops does not respect the heritage of the watch. I would have much preferred a double red dial with the same case dimensions as the sd4000. Btw thank you very much for not forgetting to measure the lug to lug distance!
The 116660 is the king of Sea Dwellers. I prefer the gen 1 Deepsea as it is the original and I prefer the thinner more elegant bracelet - gives the watch it’s quirky style.
Personally I would opt for the D blue!
The M126660-0001 black dial DeepSea has the 3235 movement as does the SD43 - the 4000 (116660) has the 3125.
Great job David. I thoroughly appreciate all the measurements.
thank you for the detailed info.
love the New S-D 43mm.
deepsea black it s great
Big wrist and/or oversized watch lovers can wear the 43mm. My 7” wrist the 40mm SD looks better proportioned. I also like the classic tapered lugs and no cyclops. The 44mm diameter 18mm thick Deepsea is a beast.
40mm is just perfect, elegant and classy...
Excellent production! Liked!
D blue very well, so special watch dial. Nice.
Really good review - Thank You 👍🏻
Great comparison. Thanks
I prefer the SD 43. I think it’s Rolex’s best dive watch ever...and the best dive watch in the business.
great quality video!
Great video.
The sea dweller 4000 is boring and with a lack of character, the deep sea is grotesque and out of proportion with the bracelet. I had the chance to purchase a DS for way lower than retail and I could not pull the trigger but when I got the chance on the SD43, I didn't think twice! SD43 is the culmination of perfection when it comes to the Rolex Sea Dweller series and mark my words the SD43 is special.
The SD43 is just a bloated submariner with cyclops… it’s more related to the Deepsea than a sea dweller
Great
If it has a cyclops then it's not a Sea Dweller it's a Submariner.
don't like the new sea dweller cyclops kills it for me, I will never upgrade from the 16600
Great video. I must admit, the old 116600 Sea-Dweller didn't make a lot of sense to me. It was Submariner size, but much thicker, and with the thinner lugs, I just didn't like the proportions. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the matte dial either. Stepping up the size now provides us with a standard, bigger and biggest choice in the dive watch offerings.
All that being said, even the diving enthusiasts among us will likely never dive below 30 meters, or 10% of the rating of a standard Submariner. So is it really necessary to pay four grand more for a dive rating that maybe 0.00001% of buyers would ever come close to using? Unless you're genuinely a professional diver, it makes little sense.
I do however like the James Cameron edition of the Deep Sea. That incredibly thick crystal almost magnifies the beautiful dial and gives the watch quite a presence on the wrist. That being said, at that kind of price point you could almost buy two more reasonably priced Rolex watches instead. So would you rather have a Deep Sea or say a GMT/Sub AND an Explorer for example. It's a big ask for some engineering you're never going to use, when you could have two excellent pieces for about the same price.
2 Rolex or a B DS? Excellent point! I'd take the Sub and the GMT over the deepsea! I find the DS grotesque and ugly with a paragraph on the dial, for what? I do believe the SD43 is a great watch given the history of SD and the special Red on it as for the cyclops, well , now wine can actually read the date!
wh in the hell would you want to use a cyclops while diving?
Why would you need date while diving? But you may need it on the boat while preparing for the dive or onshore. For example checking the tide schedule.
Too expensive for a watch you would only wear very occasionally. For such usage, you can find a good deep diver at a much better price. And for this type of money, you can find a very good watch that you will wear much more often. So definitely an irrational choice to opt for this watch.
Have you ever owned a Rolex dive watch? Without question, these watches can be worn every single day of your life. These are not some delicate timepiece like the offerings from Patek, etc...These are everyday timepieces...one of the few consumer goods you can buy, use for decades, and sell for more than you paid for them.