Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 | Is it the BEST Rolex dive watch? 

Yes for me the SD43 is the best Rolex diver!

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.

Sea Deweller is one of the most beautiful sport watch by Rolex.

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.

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. ;)

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.

Love how you have the hands synced on the pair.

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.

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.

I use the dive extension when I wear my divers over my jumpers, very handy.

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 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!

The best no-nonsense review on Rolex dive watches. Great job presenting a lot of useful information.

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 have the SD43 and love it, perfect size for me.

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.

Good review. Appreciate the side-by-side comparison.

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.

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)😀

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.

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!

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)

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.

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

i love my SD43 - to me the red line just give that extra pop (referencing the original SD).

The SD43 is far superior. It has perfect balance and dimensions and a much nicer bezel.

We already knew from the beginning of the video which dive watch you preferred! But a very useful and well done review, thanks!

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.

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.

For me the best Rolex diver is the SD 4000 (reference 116600)

If your a bigger person, go with the Sea Dweller. Great review by the way. Your one of the best

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.

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 have the Deep Sea, absolutely love it. Received it for my 40th birthday.

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.

Great comparative review! Thanks guy. Ive seen this vid a couple of times. Just wanted to make sure I thank u this time. Cheers!

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!

Solid detailed review. Excellent work. Thank you

The most comprehensive comparison I have heard yet, thanks.

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.

You are, hands down, the best watch reviewer on RU-vid. Great content 👍

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.

Great review and very informative, thank you.

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!

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.

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.

No stone left unturned ! Excellent review of a trully terrific watch !

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

Perfect size, trust me. Try one on if they are even available lol

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.

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!

Excellent review and video. Both watches are superb. There is one to meet every taste. I went for the SD.

Another great video Guy. I really enjoy your comparison videos. Keep up the great work.

Great comparison thanks Guy..

Love the review! Thanks.

This version also has the mk1 dial, the actual 50th anniversary from 2017.

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. 👍🏽

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 !

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 !

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 just like the size better! I like bigger watches so the 43 SD for me. Thanks for the review. Rick

SD is far more attractive to look at. The red writing adds a touch of class. I like the infill on the bezel.

Good comparison. Thank you.

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.

Why is the escape valve polished? This watch was brutally polished!

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

Picked one up NIB $12800!! Love it!!

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!

The funny thing about is is that the sea dweller hardly makes sense for a saturation diver because there have only been a few saturation dives that went over 300 meters, which is where the submariner is reaching its depth limit.

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).

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.

Nice review and comparison. Just joined the FB group. (Scott Bolton @watchdisplay)

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.

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.

My Explorer 1 40mm had a perfectly aligned rehaut.

Very good review . Also a lot of knowledge.

I prefer the James Cameron Deepsea but nevertheless this piece your are discussing is as great 👍🏻

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.

Just ordered one, it is my favourite after trying on all Rolex, including the new Submariner. However, I wouldn’t disagree with other peoples’ model preferences! Not a lot in it tbh👍

Why the gas escape valve so Shiny？ is it supposed matte finish ？

This is the finest dive watch Rolex has ever crafted. It is perhaps the finest dive watch in the world.

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.

GREAT review!

Can't wait to see you compare the 126610 to your 116610 : )

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 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 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.

Dive computer is what I use when I dive unless it’s something quick. Depends on what I have planned.

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.

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.

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?

To be completely honest the SD43 looks and fit a lot nicer on your wrist.

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. 😉

Sd 43 jou show in this video is a fake. Recognize it at the polish helium escape valve. The origin is grey...

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.

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 😂

Love the video guy, been waiting for this one . Ive ordered this watch .I can see why you love your sub it fits you better.I have a bigger wrist So I can take the bigger size,I agree with you on the video.But i do prefer the bigger bracelet on the sea dweller, and love the small red logo on it, expensive extra ,but I like the bigger size,just a waiting game now .but I know I will have the biggest smile when I get it,and that’s what it’s about.

yep mine submariner 16610 M series the rehault crown is not aligned too

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.