Rolex Submariner 114060: A Review of Rolex’s Flagship Model

One cannot simply mention Swiss watches without thinking of the Rolex Submariner. Whether you’re a fan of the brand or not, there’s no denying that it is one of the most recognised timepieces. 

In fact, the Rolex Submariner is one of the most copied designs. Several watchmakers have created their own models inspired by it. Take the case of Steinhart Ocean and the Parnis Submariner.

But what is it about the Rolex Submariner that makes it worthy of donning the wrists of Slash, James Bond, and the like? Let’s find out by diving into this review of the Rolex Submariner 114060. 

A Brief History of the Rolex Submariner

The iconic diver has a remarkable history behind it. It started in the early 1950s when then-Rolex Director Rene P. Jeanneret needed a watch for his scuba diving activities. With that, he suggested that the company should develop a watch made especially for divers.

Determined, the watchmakers of Rolex began to work on the Sub and by 1953, they finally developed a dive watch that has very high water-resistance.

They had the watch and with it was a genius idea to market it. With that said, they came up with a gimmick. They got in touch with Swiss physicist and explorer Auguste Piccard. He suited up for a dive, strapped on the new Rolex watch, and went down a mindblowing depth of 3,131.8 meters! 

When he emerged, the watch that he was wearing survived as well. This stunt gained Rolex the respect and admiration of several watch enthusiasts. A year after that, Rolex officially introduced the Submariner during the Basel Watch Fair in 1954.

The Rolex Submariner was well-received by the crowd. And as the years went by, Rolex upgraded the Sub numerous times. One of those upgrades is the Ref. 114060. Luckily, The Watch Company HQ has this specific version on hand. So, let’s get to know more about this model.

First Impressions

At first glance, this upgraded version of the Rolex Submariner 14060 looks exactly like its predecessor. In fact, we bet that only a few people could tell them apart. It’s not a bad thing, though, as the design of the classic Sub needs no upgrade. Everyone adores it as it is. If the watch’s design receives a lot of love, then Rolex found no point in changing it.

While most of Rolex’s Submariner has a date complication, this one does not. This also means that it lacks Rolex’s iconic Cyclops (the glass that magnifies the date window) which people love. This slight deviation made its dial look more simple and symmetrical.

Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060 Specs

Let’s take a look at the important details to know about the Rolex Submariner 114060.

• Case: Oyster Case made from Oyster Steel
• Size: 40mm
• Movement: Calibre 3130
• Power reserve: 48 hours
• Water resistance: 300m
• Precision: -2/+2 sec/day

CASE

Just like the other versions of the Rolex Submariner, this one sports a 40mm Oyster case that’s made from Oyster steel. And as a true diver’s watch, it is water-resistant to 300 metres, thanks to its screw-down case back.

Its crown is screw-down as well and is fitted with TRIPLOCK triple waterproofness system. The crown guard protects it from accidental bumps.

Meanwhile, the uni-directional bezel is made with Rolex’s Cerachrom — the brand’s exclusive ceramic creation. What this means is that it’s resistant to fading, corrosion, and scratches. Simply put, it is durable enough to make you feel comfortable wearing it during dives or hikes.

DIAL

One characteristic of the Rolex Submariner 114060 is its no-date feature. In fact, people gave it its unofficial nickname “The No-Date Sub”. It depends on your preference, but this detail can either be a pro or a con.

Some people find it a dealbreaker to lose the date complication of the watch. To a few purists, the iconic Cyclops is one of the things that makes a Rolex Submariner a Rolex Submariner.

On the other hand, there are some people who think that a no-date version is miles better. A few reasons to prefer the no-date version is when you don’t find the cyclops appealing. Or when you don’t need the date window. Or when you want a simpler dial that only tells the time. Finally, the no-date version also resembles more the look of the Submariner’s first versions.

Only one complication has been deducted from this version. However, doing without the date complication will save you around $1,000. This is a great advantage if you want to own a Submariner and save as much as you can.

MOVEMENT

An iconic watch deserves the best. So, Rolex fitted the Submariner 114060 with the calibre 3130. It is a self-winding mechanical movement that is a certified Swiss chronometer. This designation is given to the best high-precision watches that have passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests.

The movement is also equipped with the Parachrom hairspring. This special device was invented by Rolex to improve their watch’s resistance to shocks and temperature variations. 

BRACELET

We normally do not include a separate section for the bracelet. However, we think that this Sub’s bracelet deserves recognition.

The Rolex Submariner 114060 is equipped with the solid-link Oyster bracelet made with 904L steel. To make sure that the watch doesn’t slip off your wrist when diving, it has the new Oysterlock safety clasp and Glide Lock Extension system.

Its patented Glide Lock Extention system allows it to be adjusted in increments of 2mm. You can adjust it to a total of 20mm. The best part of it is you wouldn’t need any tools for adjusting! This is especially advantageous to divers who need to wear the watch over thick diving suits. 

PRICE

The Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060 retails at around $7,500. Compared to the other Submariner models, this is one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest version in the lineup.

Considering the information above, this makes the Ref. 114060 a great bargain, especially for those who are just getting into the watch community.

Who Should Buy the Rolex Submariner 114060?

If you’re a fan of the history of Rolex’s iconic dive watch, this is the way to go. It is probably the closest thing you can get to the original Submariner without going vintage, thanks to its no-date configuration.

Dive enthusiast or not, the Submariner 114060 is also a good entry point to Rolex. For one, it is one of the most popular models. Another reason is that it is one of the most recommended investment watches to buy. In fact, it holds its value so well that it can even increase its price after some time. This is extremely important in case you’re planning to sell your Sub in the future.

Final Notes

The Rolex Submariner 114060 is a nice upgrade to any type of collection. Diver or not, Rolex fan or not, any person will appreciate the beauty of the Sub 114060. It is the perfect tool watch that you can wear on a daily basis.

It does its job well while looking good. From diving sessions to formal dinners, the Sub will not look out of place. Yes, it is now becoming acceptable to wear a dive watch with a suit, thanks to James Bond!

In addition to that, the Submariner 114060 is one of the cheapest Submariner models in Rolex’s current lineup. That’s a lot of value for your greenback!

From diving to flying? Get to know more about the Flieger watch, the German version of the pilot watch.