Guide to the Rolex Submariner 14060 and 14060M
The Rolex 14060M was the last no-date Submariner reference with an aluminum bezel insert. It was also the last Rolex without an engraved rehaut, and the last Rolex with lugholes. But the 14060 was also the first no-date Sub to be made of 904L stainless steel, tick 8 times per second, and have a sapphire crystal. Here’s our quick guide to the Rolex Submariner 14060 and 14060M, and all their variations spanning 1990-2012.
Case
The 14060 and 14060M have a 39.5mm 904L stainless steel case with lugholes. The case shape is essentially unchanged from the 5512 that debuted in 1959. That was the first Submariner with crown guards. The early no-crown-guard Submariners made from 1954-1958 were about 37mm wide.
Notably, the 14060 is not the same size as the Rolex Submariner Date ref. 16610 of the same era. The 14060 is slightly smaller, with the 16610 being closer to a true 40mm, so their bezel inserts are not interchangeable.
What’s the Difference Between a Rolex Submariner 14060 and 14060M?
The movement is the key difference between a Rolex Submariner ref. 14060 and 14060M. The 14060M (caliber 3130) replaced the 14060 (caliber 3000) in 1999. It’s a relatively minor upgrade; they’re both rock solid movements. But the entire Rolex 3000 movement family (including the 3000, 3035, 3055, etc.) does have glue connecting the hairspring to the balance stud.
Glue doesn’t sound very luxurious, but it’s serious industrial-grade adhesive, and watchmakers generally regard it as perfectly fine. Still, the laser-welded balance studs of the 31xx generation were an upgrade.
All Rolex Submariner 14060M’s have Super-Luminova rather than the radioactive tritium, while almost all 14060’s have tritium. Some of the last ones (around 1998-1999) have Super-Luminova, and they just say “Swiss” at the bottom, without the “T < 25” nor the “Made” that would soon be added.
Some of the earliest 14060M’s also had “Swiss-only” dials. In all, the 14060M was produced for about 13 years, and for the final 5 of those years it had a now-familiar block of 4 lines of text at the bottom of the dial.
Rolex 14060M 2 Liner vs 4 Liner
The term “2-liner” in the context of a Rolex Submariner ref. 14060M refers to the two lines of text on the bottom half of the dial, as opposed to the “4-liner” that replaced it in 2007, adding two additional lines of text noting its “Superlative Chronometer” status. Although the 2-liners aren’t certified chronometers, they still have the same caliber 3130 movement inside and can perform to the same standards when properly regulated.
Also note that 14060m 4-liners have the engraved Rolex rehaut, while 2-liners don’t. In fact, 2-line 14060M’s were the last Rolex to be produced with the classic plain rehaut. Let’s break down the whole evolution of the Rolex Submariner 14060/14060M now:
Rolex Submariner 14060 and 14060M Timeline
| Year | Reference | Movement | Dial Text | Lume Type | Dial Marking | Rehaut Engraved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–1998 | 14060 | 3000 | 2-line | Tritium | SWISS – T <25 | No |
| 1998–1999 | 14060 | 3000 | 2-line | Super-LumiNova | SWISS | No |
| 1999–2000 | 14060M | 3130 | 2-line | Super-LumiNova | SWISS | No |
| 2001–2007 | 14060M | 3130 | 2-line | Super-LumiNova | SWISS MADE | No |
| 2007–2012 | 14060M | 3130 | 4-line | Super-LumiNova | SWISS MADE | Yes |
Is the 14060M as Good as the 124060?
The current no-date Submariner, ref. 124060, has a handful of advantages over the 14060 and 14060M, like a ceramic bezel insert and a longer power reserve. But the real difference between a neo-vintage Submariner like a 14060 and a modern one is the bracelet/clasp. Bracelets on 6-digit Submariner models feel far heavier, and the Glidelock clasp can make the old “tuna can clasp” feel out of date. In fact when it comes to 5-digit vs. 6-digit Rolex in general, bracelets are the key difference.
There’s nothing wrong with a 14060, though. The tuna can clasp, simple as it is, is perfectly reliable, and some people find the lightweight “jangly” nature of the bracelet to be appealing and comfortable.
We’ll break down all the specs of the Rolex Submariner 14060 and 14060M now:
Specs
| Specification | Rolex Submariner 14060 | Rolex Submariner 14060M |
|---|---|---|
| Model Name | Submariner No-Date | Submariner No-Date |
| Reference Number | 14060 | 14060M |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel (904L) | Stainless Steel (904L) |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm width 12mm thickness, ~47.3-48mm lug-to-lug | 40mm width, ~12mm thickness, ~47.3-48mm lug-to-lug |
| Years Produced | 1990–1999 | 1999–2012 |
| Movement Caliber | Rolex Caliber 3000 | Rolex Caliber 3130 |
| Water Resistance | 300 meters / 1,000 feet | 300 meters / 1,000 feet |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours | 48 hours |
| Luminous Material | Tritium, except last examples which had Super-LumiNova | Super-LumiNova |
| Bracelet | Oyster 93150, stamped folding clasp | Oyster 93150, stamped folding clasp |
| Market Value (2025) | $5,000–$9,000 (pre-owned, condition-dependent) | $8,500–$15,000 (pre-owned, condition-dependent) |
The word “classic” gets thrown around a lot in the context of the Rolex Submariner 14060 and 14060M, and with good reason. They look and feel good on almost any wrist, and if you think modern Submariners are slightly too large for you, a 5-digit model is worth considering–although it isn’t actually much smaller. The generation in between–ref. 114060–actually wears bulkier. Really though, a 14060 is worth considering for just about any luxury watch fan that doesn’t absolutely need a modern micro-adjust clasp. The newer ceramic-insert models have gotten more attention in recent years, but in the words of a Reddit user named 14060M, “eventually the masses will realize that neovintage perfection was just a small blip on the Rolex radar.” We’ll see!
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