An automatic, stainless steel, Rolex Submariner "No Date" model. This watch could be considered the most iconic, and certainly the most recognizable watch in the Rolex stable. Since its inception into the Rolex line up in 1953 this watch has been worn and loved by deep sea divers, members of the military, movie stars and today's watch collectors. This version marked a fairly large design change with the continuation of the applied circular edge around to the hour indices that were introduced on the 16800 and late 5513 models.
This reference is part of the evolution into the more 'modern' Rolex Submariner. It was introduced circa 1989, remained in the line fairly unchanged until 2012.In 2012, the 14060M abandoned the lug holes on the side of the case, and this came to put an end to the classic Submariner era, eventually, leading to the introduction of the new-style case of the 114060, the "Maxi" case, which saw the proportions of the Submariner collection change. This version also now features the engraved rehaut, where the serial number now moves to, along with Rolex text around its frame.
This dial is marked "Swiss Made", meaning that this dial has applied Super Luminova luminous material. This material replaced the highly dangerous, and radioactive Radium in 1963, and then Tritium circa 1999. Just like radium, tritium was also radioactive; however, it came with a much lower level of radiation and a much shorter half-life. While tritium was exponentially safer than radium, it only had a half-life of twelve years. This meant that after just a few decades, only a tiny fraction of the initial luminescence would remain. Additionally, as tritium ages, the color changes, which creates often beautiful, and highly sought after patinas on the luminous markers on these older Rolex watches. Tritium was far from perfect, which lead Rolex to search for a better alternative.
The answer came during the 1990’s, from a Japanese company called Nemoto and Co., which specialized in producing luminous paint. Their new compound, called Luminova, was photoluminescent rather than radioactive, making it entirely harmless. Additionally, it was not prone to fading or discoloration like its predecessor, tritium. Luminova was far superior to tritium, and by 1998, Rolex began using it on their watches. These are now rare and collectible, as the production run was around two years, and are marked simply "Swiss". By 2000, Rolex had switched to Super Luminova, a slightly improved version of Luminova that was sold through a different supplier. These dials were marked "Swiss Made", like this one presented here. Being that this watch was made in 2000, it is one of the first batch of the Super Luminova dials. In 2008, Rolex announced a switch from Super Luminova to its own proprietary compound, Chromalight into Deepsea Sea-Dweller, to begin with. Chromalight is also a photoluminescent material that, according to Rolex, can last up to eight hours, which is more than double the time of other luminescent materials. The material is also promoted by Rolex as being highly legible and easier to see. This was then phased into all models, making this watch one of the last Submariner watches to have the Super Luminova.
The watch is powered by a Rolex, Swiss made, thirty one jewel automatic calibre 3130 movement that powered the majority of all no-date Rolex models since its launch, from the Oyster Perpetual (OP) to the Submariner. The 3130 is a certified Swiss chronometer caliber, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) test, being accurate to within 2/-2 seconds a day. This also culminated in the shift of this reference becoming a "Four Liner" dial. The prior, unrated examples, meaning not COSC rated, only had the Submariner name with depth rating below it. This upgrade came in 2002. So this 14060M model had approximately a ten year run.
Among a number of movement improvements was the extension to the power reserve form the caliber 1570 from forty two hours to forty eight, made possible thanks to a fast-rotating barrel. It is regarded as one of the best calibers produced by the company since its introduction in 2001, and testament to that is the fact it remained in use for around twenty years.
The case is as you would expect to find with a tool watch now over twelve years old, with slight scratches and signs of wear. It has not been polished, which is very common with watches, even from this period. The bezel insert is correct and original to the watch. The pip set in the arrow at the sixty minute mark is original and present. The bracelet is also all original. It is a 93150 with 501B end links. It is also presented unpolished and is original to the watch, with diver extension, and four removable links.
This is a superb watch, for someone looking for a collectible 'vintage' Submariner. As mentioned prior, this is one the last "classic" Submariner models aesthetically. But it has all the best of the modern Rolex with ungraded movement, better sealing and a COSC rated movement. The dial is perfect, a superb unpolished case, and very tight bracelet. Many people over the years have sought the clean lines of the no-date submariner, with icons such as Steve McQueen choosing to make it one of his go to watches, and it is easy to see why.
