This $100 Rolex Sub homage is Shockingly good except for the bracelet... Steeldive 1953

Audio wasn't enough?. Your a very busy guy.

I suppose I "went" through a bit of a watch phase in my 30's and have a few watches (e.g. Rolex 16613 Sub-Sultan) that are probably 100x to 150x the price of a new Steeldive 1954. In addition, a couple dozen other nice watches which I would not consider "investment grade"...though having very nice Valjoux 7750 or ETA 2834/2836 movements. Nevertheless, the Steeldive 1954, 1975XP, 1970 (Cpt Willard) get a lot of wrist-time, comparatively. Given their reliable SI NH35A movement, sapphire crystal, very good lume, ceramic bezel, and a fine fit/finish...they check all of the important boxes.
The only thing that I do not like are SD's typically below average bracelet/strap offerings. OK...I always upgrade to something off of AliExpress that brings them to another level. For the SD1954 I bought an unbranded Rolex-homage bracelet with link faces that are fully brushed w/polished ends and screws...machined clasp with micro-adjustment...I think I paid under US$15 for that stainless steel bracelet. For the SD1975XP and SD1970, the full cowhide leather straps with deployment clasps from the MAIKES store on Aliexpress...these are under $20 ea.

Morning Randy, I’ve learned alot and enjoyed your watch videos👍🏻. I have a quick question… Can you recommend a stainless steel replacement bracelet for the steel dive 1953. I bought it after watching your review, love it, and am having trouble finding one with female ends and a pin. I think your watch assessment was accurate on all accounts.. (especially regarding the bracelet..😂)
Thanks very much in advance for your help!
Wyatt

I wear a steeledive as a daily driver. Great watches for the price.

How much is steel dive paying you? those watches are junk,😂 even Invicta is higher quality and much better heritage.

Whuuuut I'm late to the Cheap Watch Man. Did not know this.

I’ve just ordered this watch from Amazon with a spare rubber strap. I’ll immediately remove the bracelet and put the rubber strap on. Value for money is great ! 👍

WOW is right,....I just received my Steeldive SD1953 Sub Men Dive Watch V2. What a piece of fucking JUNK! I took it out of the box, removed the protective plastic and went to unscrew the crown to set it,..... the crown was very dificult to turn and wouldn't disengage to even the first setting. Now the crown won't even screw back in...it's complete JUNK! Customer support is non-existent and I will need to dispute the charge on my credit card! What a FUCKING waste of my time & money!!!

I don't think that's got an AR coating.

For some reason my crown won't screw back down.
I have just contacted steeldive UK today.

Hi, I just got the smurf faced one.
How did you make out with a stainless band?
Can u post a recommendation that does not dance around like a hula girl?

I want to buy the hulk version but the bracelet is going off the watch, i dont like bracelets, i prefer a nice nato straps or any other Kind of straps.

Great watch! Steeldive are brilliant. My ‘Captain Willard’ I bought in 2021, is still going strong and keeping good time. The cyclops was used in the Hubble Telescope, and gave us views of before unseen universes….😉

Just had my first purchase a SD1993 "GMT Pepsi" with Oyster strap and I decided on the San Martin SN017-G V3 (also on Steeldive site) but this was down to bezel

Mine arrived today (6/10)23). The bracelet has been upgraded and the clasp replaced, though not with the glide lock. This is an amazing watch, especially for the money.

A good, honest review. I like my blue 1953 -- I have a matching rubber strap that is super comfortble -- but the lume! Glows all night, my new Rolex, you can hardly see it in a few hours. The Steeldive has become my favorite watch... I have never had an issue with the bracelet, as overall, this is a suer watch!

I just got mine and "was" going to get a Steinhart, now not bothering. The search for a worthy bracelet begins!

I just got this exact model but I'm thus far having a terrible experience with it. Story could follow, if anyone is interested.

It's a shame that Steeldive doesn't use the same bracelet on all of their watches that utilise the Oyster-style. My SD-1974 has a spectacular bracelet, complimenting what is a superior homage to the original — and again — for less than $100.
The correct pronunciation of the sub IS 'sub-ma-REEN-er. Both Rolex and myself have been unsuccessful getting that message out there. But the point is, it is a watch for the professional sub-ma-REEN-er. It's a quirk in life that the mispronunciation of words can become the rule and not the exception. Take aluminium, for example.

Montre retourner au bout de mois,en voulant changer la date,la couronne c est cassée et m est restée dans la main ( très déçu du produit malgré le magnifique luminosité de nuit)

Hey i know you from cheap audio guy, and now here, you have same interests as me

Just recieved the sd1953 black great looking watch but as mentioned that bracelet why are they still using pushpins ? I would happily pay 20/30 more for a decent bracelet with screwpins, definitely will look for a bracelet upgrade, thx for the video

Idk why the bracelet is such a problem for you at $100. I like your content but not everyone is overly hairy lol.

Since I own an Invicta, oops Glycine combat sub Swiss automatic, I'm considering the Steeldive, would I be disappointed? Thanks, great review!

Is it actually waterproof?

Hi man, does this watxh really has water resistant of 30bar? I mean if you will swim they will not break?( I know that 300 metre allows you to dive in 30 meters, but honest i don't trust then, it's yo high for this price. So if at least you can swim a lot with these watch, man this waxth is worth to buy. I love dive watches!)

Bought it today for €61,- which is about $65. Can't wait.

Submarine-er, Submare-iner. Potae-to, Potah-toe. lol I'm a retired sub guy, I never cared. How's the Steeldive compare to the Invicta ProDiver?

Do you own Cheap Atomic Energy channel bc my country, Poland can't simply work it out and as I'm already subbed to your audio and watch channel, what the hell, one more can't hurt.

We built our Maritimer homage off of this model, but upgraded to sapphire glass and had the bracelet and clasp changed for micro adjustment with a milled clasp. Also kept the price at $99 with 25% off for first time buyers. Happy to send an example in for your feedback.

These hands bigger than Addiesdive?

The Steeldive 1953, has to be the best Rolex Submariner homage available. I purchased mine two months ago and the bracelet has been updated, it’s quality has been significantly improved. I also wear a Addiesdive Submariner as a beater watch and the QC isn’t great, misaligned cyclops, and bezel, but the Miyota 2115 quartz movt, ceramic bezel, and BGW9/C3 lume makes up for the $60 homage.

I think you should do a review again of this model with the updated clasp

Is steeldive the sale like addiesdive??

I just ordered one for $64. Great review!

Great review, how do you think the Steeldive compares to the San Martin homage submariner? I have the San Martin, however I would be interested to hear you opinion. thanks!

Followed Randy's insight, avoided the junky steel bracelet and I picked up one with the rubber bracelet. Love it. Also did the green scrubber pad deglosser on case and am very pleased.
I will eventually get a nice bond like NATO strap but the rubber band is surprisingly solid.
Cost me $87 US. Not too shabby.

Great review. They have updated the clasp and a jubilee bracelet is now available. Just picked one up including taxes for £36. Would love to see a re-review.

I bought a couple watches with the Seiko nh35 movement. And they all have that domed back that's extremely uncomfortable.

The SD1970 is like $70 and it’s generally invincible and waterproof enough to shower with daily.

Junk

Yes the hair pulling sucks, I ordered an Ali express glide lock bracelet which is awesomee

I just bought one for $70 Australian which is about $45 us

I had no idea that you were also into watches. I subscribed to your audio channel first hah

Yeah, overall the watch is very good........they have improved the bracelets since this video was made. The one I received had a milled clasp, solid end links, 6 micro adjusts and the play was greatly minimized.

I have three of their watches and they’re all awesome. Steeldive in my opinion is the current king of bang for your buck. My SD1953 has a grey sunburst dial and a grey lumed ceramic bezel insert and it fucking rocks. The lume on that thing is insane! I’ve paid 68 bucks on a jubilee bracelet for that one. The bezel wasn’t aligned correctly, but my buddy fixed that for me and of course you have to get the movement regulated, but other than that it’s perfect! In regards to the bracket, it seems to be too light to be solid and yeah, the edges are a bit sharp, but it’s not really uncomfortable.

Great review, gonna get one, thanks!