We are often asked questions about the various different diver watches from the most popular luxury watch brands as well as the differences between the different diver watches within a single brand. Our various Rolex dive watch comparisons are made to enable you to make an educated and informed purchase decision about a watch by putting the information in an easy to read format.
Divers are always looking for better equipment. It can be the difference between a successful dive and a catastrophic dive. In some cases having better equipment means you have a better chance of coming out alive. Rolex makes several dive watches that are great for diving. Their oyster cases lock down like a mini-submarine hatch and are pretty much born to take the plunge.
The two Rolex diver watches that we will compare today are the Replica Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm / Replica Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 VS the Replica Rolex Submariner Date. At first glance or to the untrained eye these watches look almost identical with very few yet subtle aesthetic differences. As we compare the Rolex submariner VS Sea-Dweller in greater detail you will find that they are quite different. Below is a summary of the things that these two watches have in common and the pros and cons describing the features that make each one unique. For your convenience, you can use the buttons below to view the two collections now. Otherwise, proceed with the comparison below.
- Both of these Rolex watches use the 31-jewel, Rolex Calibre 3135 movement.
- Both the Submariner Date and the Sea-Dweller 4000 have an approx. 50-hour power reserve. The Sea-Dweller 43mm has a 70-hour power reserve.
- Black “Cerachrom” bezel insert which is made of a hardened ceramic that is very durable and resistant to scratches. In addition, Cerachrom has great anti-corrosion properties and won’t color fade when exposed to UV rays for long periods of time.
- Polished stainless steel-rimmed bezel with a ribbed edge for a sure grip.
- Patented “Triplock” crown which locks the crown down the Oyster case making it as tight as a submarine hatch.
- Bracelet fitted with the patented Glidelock Extension System buckle – a secure deploying style with adjustments in 2mm increments to a total of 20mm without the need for tools.
The most impressive feature of the Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 replica watch and the newer 43mm Sea-Dweller dive watch is the difference in Water Resistance when compared to the Rolex Submariner. While serious diving calls for a minimum of 1650 feet and up of water resistance, the Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 boasts a whopping four thousand feet of resistance. See the pros & cons.
Water ResistanceHigher water-resistance of 4000ft / 1220mPrecious Material UsedMatte platinum-coated numbers & graduation indexesVisibilityLong lasting blue luminous materialBezelThe Sea Dweller 4000 features a full 60 seconds on the second track located on bezel itself whereas the Submariner has only 15 seconds printed on the bezel between the 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock position
Price TagSlightly higher price tag.Material OptionsOnly available in a stainless steel case.Case ThicknessThis watch has a thicker case
The one aesthetic difference that stands out the most is the Cyclops magnifier over the date of the Submariner while the Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 is lacking one. However, the newer Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm does have a cyclops magnifier over the date window. For some people, this may be a deal-breaker since the date magnifier is one of the most widely used and distinct features found on most Rolex watches. There is also the functional value of the magnifier.
At Baselworld 2017, Rolex introduced a new 50th Anniversary edition, a new and larger 43mm Single Red Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller Reference # 126600 which now includes a Cyclops magnifier just like the Sub and has the name Sea-Dweller in red on the dial. This new version uses the Rolex Calibre 3235 movement which has an impressive power reserve of up to 70 hours. It also has the highly legible Chromalit display, a practical feature for an adventure to the abysmal subaquatic depths commonly explored by diving professionals.
Another plus side of the submariner series is that there are many more models in several materials and color combinations compared to the SD 4000 which is only available at the time of writing this in stainless steel with a black dial and black Cherachrom bezel insert. See Pros and Cons:
Price TagSlightly lower price tagDate MagnifierHas the cyclops date magnifierCase ThicknessThis watch has a case that is less thickStylesMore choices of colors & materials
Water ResistanceThe Submariner only has 1000 feet / 300 meters of water resistance which is a quarter of that of the Sea-Dweller which has 4000 feet / 1220 meters of water resistanceBezelOnly a partial minute and second track is displayed on the bezelPower ReserveThe Rolex Submariner Date has a shorter power reserve duration than the Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm which has come to replace the older Sea-Dweller 4000 models
| Brand: | Rolex | Rolex | Rolex |
| Series: | Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date | Sea Dweller 4000 | Sea Dweller 43mm |
| Model #: | 116610LN | 116600 | 126600 |
| Status: | Available | Discontinued | Available |
| Size: | Men’s | Men’s | Men’s |
| Case Material: | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Dial Color: | Black | Black | Black |
| Bracelet/Strap: | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Clasp Type: | Folding Clasp With Safety Latch | Folding Clasp With Safety Latch | Rolex Folding Oysterlock Safety Clasp |
| Movement: | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Bezel: | Uni-Directional Rotating | Uni-Directional Rotating | Uni-Directional Rotating |
| Crystal: | Scratch Resistant Sapphire | Scratch Resistant Sapphire | Scratch Resistant Sapphire |
| Case Back: | Solid | Solid | Solid |
| Water Resistance: | 300m/1000ft | 4000ft/1220m | 4000ft/1220m |
| Case Diameter: | 40mm | 40mm | 43mm |
| Power Reserve: | 48 Hours | 50 Hours | 70 Hours |
