Everybody's views will differ but for me it is the Rolex SD4000.
In fact for me it could be the contender for the best sports Rolex ever but that opens up the Pandora's box of five digit vs
six digits which is a colossal waste of time and bandwidth, so I will limit it to six digits.
Feel free to show us your favorite
Couldn't agree more and my biggest selling regret!
Classic SD styling (no cyclops) and size (40mm),
slimmer lugs than the equivalent Sub / GMT making it look less "boxy",
glidelock clasp with diver ext,
ceramic bezel with full minute track,
and one of shortest production runs ever
I’m with you Raj,
Still the one I regret not buying. My wife said it looked to much like my 14060M, I listened and purchased a BBR instead. Love the Tudor but always felt I missed out on a classic.
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It’s a strange thing, but I think the 43mm deserves the crown. The 40mm ought to be the superior watch, given that the 43mm was probably a slightly cynical marketing project. But, on the wrist the bigger SeaDweller somehow feels the better watch. And the cyclops was always meant to be part of the design....it’s more useful.
It isn’t what I expected when I switched, but to me, the SD43 is the best sports watch from Rolex. I think quite a few other people have found the same..however, the SD4000 also has great lugs and is superior, I think, to any modern Sub.
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Last edited by paskinner; 28th May 2019 at 09:14.
I tend to agree. I was cynical about the cyclops - but I find the 43mm (or 50th Anniversary) wears better than the 40mm which still suffered (for me) too big a height to width ratio with the thicker back for 1200m depth rating.Originally Posted by paskinner
It’s a strange thing, but I think the 43mm deserves the crown. The 40mm ought to be the superior watch, given that the 43mm was probably a slightly cynical marketing project. But, on the wrist the bigger SeaDweller somehow feels the better watch. And the cyclops was always meant to be part of the design....it’s more useful.
It isn’t what I expected when I switched, but to me, the SD43 is the best sports watch from Rolex. I think quite a few other people have found the same...
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But I am really enjoying this 6 digit. 126711CHNR
I have one response to this and its physiological: Droooool!I’m with you Raj,
^^^Ditto this for me
Sold my SD4K when my SD43 arrived at the AD
Better fit is the only real reason though
I would also agree with this. I passed on the SD4000 a couple of times and have no regrets, it always felt like an ice hockey puck sitting on top of my wrist whereas I find the SD43 wears much better.It’s a strange thing, but I think the 43mm deserves the crown. The 40mm ought to be the superior watch, given that the 43mm was probably a slightly cynical marketing project. But, on the wrist the bigger SeaDweller somehow feels the better watch. And the cyclops was always meant to be part of the design....it’s more useful.
It isn’t what I expected when I switched, but to me, the SD43 is the best sports watch from Rolex. I think quite a few other people have found the same..however, the SD4000 also has great lugs and is superior, I think, to any modern Sub.
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However for me the DSSD would be the one. Yes its big, yes its bulky, yes it sits tall but all of those are to do with the engineering in the watch, the 5.5mm domed crystal looks like no other Rolex. It is a chunk of the wrist but I love it.
Have either owned or tried on every Rolex sports watch and this is the only one i have ever kept.
The SD43 would have been bought if i could have got one at RRP.
DSSD and SD43 are worthy contenders too, IMO. For me, SD4000 just edges them out by a bit.
I agree with you. I simply love the Explorer II. So much that I own both the white and the black dial versions.Have either owned or tried on every Rolex sports watch and this is the only one i have ever kept.
The SD43 would have been bought if i could have got one at RRP.
Same goes for me. The SD43 wears better than the SD4000. Part of that might be that the case, being longer lug to lug has to sit flatter on the wrist than the 40mm does, which on my relatively thin wrists has a tendency to twist off towards the 12 o'clock side. Being a heavy tall watch, that makes it pretty uncomfortable. Just as an aside, the 42mm Explorer wears well for me too for pretty much the same reasons as the SD43.
I plan to keep all three for the time being!
I agree. The SD4000 ticks all the boxes in theory but when I opened the box on a new one I was underwhelmed. Every time I looked at it one word came to mind, bland. The cyclops, the larger case and the red lettering on the 43 brings this model to its zenith IMO.It’s a strange thing, but I think the 43mm deserves the crown. The 40mm ought to be the superior watch, given that the 43mm was probably a slightly cynical marketing project. But, on the wrist the bigger SeaDweller somehow feels the better watch. And the cyclops was always meant to be part of the design....it’s more useful.
It isn’t what I expected when I switched, but to me, the SD43 is the best sports watch from Rolex. I think quite a few other people have found the same..however, the SD4000 also has great lugs and is superior, I think, to any modern Sub.
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Last edited by Russ; 28th May 2019 at 18:23.
116509
The red hands
That is dedication to a reference
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Im going to put my vote in for the SD4000. I love mine and really don't find it too tall. Plus, no cyclops - l find myself minding the date magnifier a little less nowadays than l did, but still much prefer a watch without one - especially a SD.
Wearing mine now. And yesterday it was on my wrist whilst fell walking in the Lakes. Great all rounder and possibly agree with the OP
I might argue with myself about the OP’s question - my GMTc black bezel green has has been with me about 9 years and is terrific.
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116610lv for me. The way the dial behaves in different light conditions is quite brilliant. It's the only 6 digit that's stayed stable in my collection.
Rolex 116719BLRO. Because it has an Oyster bracelet
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For me its gotta be the BLRO
Purchased this month from boutique:
Still the 116710 BLNR for me, the first two colour ceramic bezel, changes appearances significantly depending on the light etc, although I do think the SD43 would give it a run for its money if I could get my hands on one.
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Similar here, would have bought the BLNR or the new Pepsi, but since my AD hasn't offered either it's this one for me. I have an aversion to paying over RRP as well!Have either owned or tried on every Rolex sports watch and this is the only one i have ever kept.
The SD43 would have been bought if i could have got one at RRP.
Last edited by oldoakknives; 28th May 2019 at 12:48.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Good job you didn't mention the original and best four digit sea dwellers.
A lot of 4 digit Rolexes that I like. They are in a different class.
This ^^^For me its gotta be the BLRO
Purchased this month from boutique:
It's a stunning watch in the flesh, photos just don't do it justice.
HELLO - I DON'T SEE ANY DRILLED LUGS?????????
100% gets my vote. But I biased because I need minimum of 42mm
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Changed that for you!
Lovely, all these slab sided 6 digit wannabes must look at their forefathers and think - Class!Changed that for you!
Got to admit still loving the Pepsi and Daytona C not getting much love
Last edited by kultschar; 28th May 2019 at 14:54.
Thank you! Yes I’m cheating really being a five digit!
Like many I love the 116600
BUT.., My 116622 Yacht-master pips it at the post. The ever changing blue dial, the elegant polished case, platinum bezel, red 'Yacht-Master' text and red seconds hand!!!!
Not my pic BTW
I'd vote for the 114270; last of the modest case sizes without the bloated lugs .... best 6 digit professional model (because it is the one I have ;-))
If there had to be only one Rolex it would be the 126600. Covers all the bases imho. But. In the summer I love the 116680. And. For outdoorsy stuff I love the 126660 JC.
So I choose all 3!
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The only six digit Rolex I think I would buy today would be gold Sky-dweller.
As for the rest of the sports models I already have what I consider nicer 4 or 5 digit equivalents.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Very few people thought so when it was a current production model but I’ve always liked them and would always prefer one over a regular Sub but not over a SD43 or a DSSD for that matter.
Ha!
Isn’t “what the best 6 digit Rolex ever made” similar to asking...
“what’s the best STD to have?”
Well. No. It's completely dissimilar...Ha!
Isn’t “what the best 6 digit Rolex ever made” similar to asking...
“what’s the best STD to have?”
I agree in a sense but it's not the best. That honour goes to the 116710BLNR which I've had since release in 2013. Was my only for watch for a couple of years which says a lot but when I bought back a lot of the watches I sold the SD4K was the first back in.
No argument from me, but then I’m biased, since I’ve has my SD4000 since 2014, a time when it was derided by many as an “expensive sub”.
Looking forward to getting it back from the Rolex spa.
This post has reminded me of the Covent Garden regulars who spent the 50s finding fault with Maria Callas.Ha!
Isn’t “what the best 6 digit Rolex ever made” similar to asking...
“what’s the best STD to have?”
DSSD indeed would be my second choice, a watch that I continue to thoroughly enjoy.
Looks quite a loose fit for a hefty watch, do you find it rolls about a bit on the wrist?DSSD indeed would be my second choice, a watch that I continue to thoroughly enjoy.
Was thinking the same.
It IS a bit losose but can tighten it up with the adjustable clasp. I sometimes like to wear it a little loose.
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