Gentlemen (and ladies). I'm after real world direct comparisons of owning both of these? I'm in the nice position of part exing an underused watch and both of these have caught my eye (never owned a Rolex previously and honestly never wanted one but...)
I tried both on today and think I prefer the DSSD but think it's a bit deep and chunky and therefore wonder what it's like to live with on a daily basis? I'm leaning towards the SD4000 as I think it's more elegant (which is not a word I'd use to describe myself) and probably a more day to day watch (jeans, suits, trousers and shirt). Am I wrong or is the DSSD a daily wearer?
7" wrists, libra, NSOH, I like long walks in the woods and the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Any experiences would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance.
I have both and with sub 7" wrists the SD4000 makes a better everyday wearer for me but the DSSD feels a bit more special on the odd occasions it does make an appearance. With a 7" wrist you'll be fine with either.
(I appreciate my response is probably of no use to you whatsoever ) ;)
I own an SD and briefly owned a DSSD. I found the DSSD a little too chunky to be an everyday watch. For me, the SD is the more well rounded choice of the two.
I have both and for everyday wearing I'd choose the SD4000.
I have 7" wrists, i've seen my fair share of ALW musicals but don't really go in for long walk's, all that said i've had a DS for quite a few years now and it has been my daily since i bought it.
To be honest it is abit top heavy and can hit a few door sills but i find it quite a comfortable watch to wear, it will withstand pretty much anything you throw at it, looks great and my only issue is that when i wear something else and go back to it it feels really heavy.
There is no doubt the SD is a more well rounded watch for most peoples but personally i prefer the DS.
Best of luck with your decision, cant really go wrong
although i cant compare ownership of both, I can say that the dssd is perfectly wearable everyday in all situations. ive worn it in my work kit, in a suit and as a casual watch down the pub. my previous rolex was the 42mm explorer and this thing knocks it out of the park in every aspect for me.
there is no getting away from the fact it is pretty hefty and not particularly discreet, but these are things i also like!
Can only concur with this, again i can't compare ownership of both, but happily wear my DSSD in all situations day in day out and whilst it is worn in rotation with other watches, i would happily have the DSSD as my only watch of needs be.Originally Posted by poppy
I have an SD (16600) and I have to say that for me it's the perfect watch, but with the SD4000 they've taken things to another level. I tried on the SD4000 and the DSSD a couple of weeks ago and on a personal note there's really no contest - the SD4000 is quite simply sublime. The case size seems as if it was made for my wrist, but everyone is different. I would go for whatever you like the look of.
For a short time a few years ago I owned an SD, one of the older models. It was a fine watch, not at all uncomfortable. I imagine the DSSD to be a whole lot heavier and less practical as a day to day watch.
To the OP, if you're considering the dssd and think this is the watch for me ,welcome to my world of pain!!! Do I go for the D- Blue or the standard black face? Or is the D- blue considered to be a "gimmick" by the collective? Sorry to hijack etc.
I haven't tried either but I have 7" wrists like you and IMO I can only just about get away with a SubC size wise, so of the two I'd be unquestionably going SD4000. I think you need big wrists to pull off a DSSD convincingly.
I have a 7.5" wrist and like huge watches (my Helson Shark Diver is both heavier and taller than the DSSD) and even I thought the DSSD was a bit too big.
It's beautiful, mind, and the engineering is amazing. I just couldn't see it as a 'one watch' watch, it's too specialised. The SubC is very slim and elegant by comparison, and I think that's a much better everyday watch. The SD4000 is much more comparable to the SubC, being slightly taller but wearing a bit smaller. So I think it's a better choice if you can only choose one.
That said though, wear the one you really love, and stuff the practicality.
I have 6.75" wrists and wore my DSSD all the time. Its not like wearing a pocket watch on your wrist!
It's smaller than the Fifty Fathoms, many Panerai or the larger Planet Ocean. No idea why people get hung up on it's size!
The SDc was, in a word, beautiful. But the DSSD is special.
This doesn't exactly answer your question but is similar.
I have owned various Subs over the years, and many have been and gone (incl a few SubC) yet the DSSD remains. It took a few tries at the AD before I realised what a belter it is.
Try the SubC, when I was trying the SD4000 with intention to buy I got home with the SubC and never regretted it. I see the DSSD mainly as a engineering piece, not for actual wear, just too big and heavy for everyday use.
For me, I just can't gel with the 'squared-off' lugs of the Sub ceramic...
So the SDc might be the best compromise if you can live with the 'protruding end links'! :)
if you own a 7.5 inches wrist and below get SD. If it's bigger DSSD. Never wrong.
^^^^ I don't know whether that is right or not?! My wrist is just under 7.5 and the DSSD sits beautifully and wears supremely comfortable.
I have read of people with a 6.75 wrist also being delighted with a DSSD.
You really have to try it and see what you think.
OR alternatively, completely wrong. I have a 6.75" wrist and owned a DSSD - it looked fine, as did the 16600 I owned before.
I would go for the SDc because like you said, its an elegant watch! The DSSD is not much of a beater in my opinion, wears too large and not a huge fan of the domed crystal whereas the SDc is perfect! Like a sub, yet that little bit better ;)
Sorry for the lousy picture but here is the three lined up. Sub looks larger than the SDc by a long way when side by side and the DSSD looks utterly ridiculous compared to them both BUT ONLY in pictures. On the wrist, there is very little difference, just a lot more presence. I was at the WF boutique and was curious as to what stainless Rolex diver I would get next after selling my DSSD (needed the funds). After comparing them all, I know I will buy a DSSD again.
As I said, purely aesthetically it'd be the SDc every time but for engineering brilliance - DSSD for me every time.
Last edited by DB9yeti; 30th September 2014 at 10:52. Reason: photobucket nonsense
^ This
Some comparison pics.
Thanks for post the comparison pictures guys - very interesting.
Thanks for replies gents. My decision is absolutely no clearer 😄
A real case of 'try before you buy' :)
I have, that's where the indecision comes from. I was set on an AP diver but that didn't really do it for me. Never wanted a Rolex and the guy brings these two out and suddenly I'm indecisive 😄
Thanks for the inputs and photos though.
Having been in the same situation a few times, I'd advise taking a break from thinking about it for a while and let it settle in your brain.
After a week or two go back and look at the pictures or go back to the AD and try them both on again. Odds are your subconscious will have made the right decision for you in the meantime.
DSSD everytime for me, I wear a Tuna most days which is circa the same size. DSSD looks fantastic on a Rubber B.
Go on make a statement!
Without a doubt the SD4000.
Got to be the SD4000 for me, but think you need to try them. I have tried both and whilst I liked the DSSD always thought I would regret buying it after a month or so knowing that the SD4000 was still in the window.
I can't help with your decision but I'd be interested to know what you didn't like about the AP diver.
Can't put my finger on exactly what it was, sheer size, weight, shininess, heftiness, not really sure but it left me feeling whelmed. I was genuinely surprised by the Rolex in comparison and despite loving the pics people post on here, the feel on the wrist was just not for me.
And invidentally you lot are not helping with the decision with pictures and your general helpfulness ;o)
What you could do is this.
Buy a couple of Parnis watches. They make a sterile DSSD already and sure an SDc will be along shortly. That way, for around £150 you can give both a whirl. Then buy the one you want.
I bought, (in hushed tones), a moody Sub LV years ago when I was considering buying one. Decided it was too small and bought a Breitling instead, (which I now never wear as I think that's too big!).
No offence but that's like buying a fake Ferrari and hoping it'd convince you you'd like a real one.
The quality, weight, appearance and precise dimensions will all be different from the real ones so what's the point? It's not about aesthetics from a distance which is all snides are good for.
What's an everyday wearer?! I have a couple of conservative work watches and then several others so size doesn't matter too much. The dssd would be the best choice for a weekend watch IMO- I wouldn't choose to wear the either all day everyday, personally
Yes and no. You won't get the quality for sure but the dimensions remain the same. If you find you're bashing your Parnis into door frames or you can't wear a shirt cuff over it, you'll have a good idea how a DSSD will be.
You will never go wrong with a SD. True fact.
Your wrists are on the smaller side so definitely go with that. I'm wearing a 16600 as I write this (and do so most of the time) on an 8" wrist. The DSSD wears fine for me too as do even larger watches but that 40mm is perfection.
heres a DSSD on my wrist:
and a 16600
Thanks again guys, keep the info coming. Sadly the option of waiting isn't available since I'm only in the country until tomorrow, which means today is decision day. Will post on here what I ultimately decide...
I was never a fan of wearing tuna cans on my wrist, so regard this to be no contest for the SDc
Personally I would go for the SDc every day of the week but I guess its all subjective. The DSSD just seems like an add on model produced to appease people with a desire for a big chunky watch. I feel like the SDc will be be more timeless when smaller watches will inevitably come back en vogue in the future. All personal opinion though.
Definitely the SDc
As much as I love the DSSD, the SD4000 just appealed much more and was the obvious choice. I've worn larger Breitling watches for many years on a 6.5" wrist, but my taste of late has been towards smaller watches.
Go with you gut... or just get the SD!
PICS of whatever you go with, please! :)
Last edited by Willows; 1st October 2014 at 20:25.
Well here's a turn up for the books. Went back, tried both on again together with the AP diver and the AP won hands down.
It just felt right on the wrist and despite having discounted it and decided on one of the two rolexes there was a change of heart and the AP diver is now mine. I think my collection is now complete and pics will follow after I get back from holiday.
So thanks for all the advice, I'm sure I'll be flamed in the BP for asking a question that I ignored the advice to but FWIW I'd decided on the SD4000 based on the advice here and the sizing, look, feel etc. And then I tried the AP on again. ☺️
Lol! Glad you are happy, enjoy the new watch!!
Looking forward to seeing the pictures, I'm thinking about an AP diver next.
got to be the 116600... best of both worlds
i think the DSSD is just a 'show off piece' and is oversized imo
Only on a 'show off' both are great and depending on a number of factors will be the perfect choice but one is not better than the other
RIAC
each to their own...
oh hang on i didnt mean it as a show off watch as in the buyer/wearer is showing off with it... more like rolex made it so chunky and over engineered to show other companies what they can achieve.
See, here's the thing. Both the DSSD and the SD4000 are of a similar diameter on the wrist and neither seemed especially large (ironically, despite having smallish wrists I now find that a small watch looks , well, small on me. Whether I look a clown or not I prefer larger watches...).
The only thing that bothered me about the DSSD was the height which seemed taller than most I've owned or tried, maybe due to the seemingly deep caseback in addition to being a tall watch? Either way, both watches wee amazing and I'd be happy to own either but the AP sealed it on the second try (which I'm happy about since it was the watch I'd originally thought I would want).
Lets be honest, we're extremely fortunate to be even having this discussion.
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