Submariner 14060M

[Ed Rooney]

My 14060M Sub Review

It has been about over 2 months since I purchased my Rolex Submariner 14060M, otherwise known to the unwashed masses as the “Sub ND”. I feel that I have knocked it against enough doorknobs to write an intelligent watch review.

The Sub serves potentially two purposes in my collection. It will either be the fanciest, most expensive watch I own, or it will be the “beater” in a more extensive collection of tool watches. I am not a WIS, I don’t appreciate decorated movements, complications or rarity. Much like my home, vehicle and most of my clothing, I prefer a watch for its utilitarian value.

The Sub suits my watch use habits very well. I grew up around the water near Annapolis, MD. More often than not I could be found sailing, swimming, waterskiing or flying with my Dad. Sailing for me was a particularly wet sport, as I owned a small catamaran and was dumped in the Severn River quite often. Many times righting the boat involved taking a deep breath, following the mast down 20+ feet to the bottom and freeing it from the mud. The Sub is a great watch for my lifestyle. I don’t like to have to take it off to jump in the ocean or a pool. That’s how Buzz Aldrin lost his Speedy. The safest place for my watch is on my wrist, therefore the watch needs to be tough enough to go nearly anywhere. While any Rolex Oyster could easily handle this lifestyle, the Sub is the best combo of durability and looks (for me).

One great “Tool Watch” qualification of the 14060M is that it, along with its cousin the Sea-Dweller, is made only in Stainless Steel. Oddly, Rolex manages to polish just the right surfaces to catch the light in a way that one normally sees on chrome. The glint from the top of the coin-edge bezel, case sides and crown grooves make what was a lump of stainless steel shine like a diamond. This makes it one of the few watches with the ability to dress up or down as far as one needs.

Much has been written about the Rolex Oyster bracelet. Rolex has improved it on many of the newer models, but the 14060M retains the old non-SEL standard bracelet. It feels like something from a bad knock-off, but history talks. This bracelet has “been there, done that and bought the T-shirt”. Still, it compares well to most of the other SS bracelets I’ve seen. The ability to take a piece of Scotch-Brite to the brushed surfaces is priceless. Recently I noticed some desk-diver rub marks on the 12 o’clock side of the bracelet. I hit it with some lemon Palmolive and a Scotch-Brite pad and it’s as good as new. Try that with a polished center-link.

The 14060M is often overlooked because of the lack of a date feature. My wife remarked the other day that she uses the date function on her Datejust more than the time. Unfortunately, I’m the guy who has to adjust the date every other month or after two days in the jewelry box. While I wouldn’t mind upgrading to a Sea-Dweller, not having to babysit the date is a plus for me.

For me, the 14060M is the modern version of the classic Submariner. The history behind this watch is amazing. I’m glad to own it and “buyer’s remorse” has never been a factor. Anyone who aspires to own several Rolex models should consider the 14060M as the foundation of their collection.

Ed Rooney
12/29/2007

[Alcan]

Good write up.

[Welshwatchman]

I agree with all of the sentiments.

[Teofilo]

Great review Ed.....The Sub ND was my first expensive watch too and it really is a "go anywhere" sort of watch. I know some people dont like the term tool watch, but stuff it....the 14060M is as tool as Rolex gets !

[kcmo]

Nice review Ed! You've got a great classic there! Enjoy it!

[bbqbrew]

I will have one of these some day. Its a classic.
Chris

[Robb]

Great review and beautiful pic!!

[ROGERB]

Well written...a classic is always a classic!
R

[JJ Irani]

Good stuff, Ed.....what a fine looking watch - simple and yet so beautiful!!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Very nice review, Ed!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this classic Rolex!

[frostie]

Nice review

[boa2]

Terrific review!

[Lubrifar]

Thanks for sharing a great review! I love to own a 14060M for the same reason; a true no non-sense no BS tough-as-nail tool watch! Happy New Year to you and your 14060M!

[AJC]

Much the same thoughts that I had and the big plus was that I found it very comfortable,more so than other Rolex sports models I have owned.

Aaron

[rpryan55]

The more I see this damn watch the more I want one. I hate myself.

[666 Bandit]

Ed, that was a great review & I couldn't agree with you more. I got my 14060m in Dec for my 40th birthday & I couldn't be happier. It is accurate to +1 sec / day. It's very light, I have worn it every day since I got it. And it is also very stealthy. Great watch!

[sea-dweller]

Great review. The 14060 was the first Rolex I purchased, in 1994.

[Perdu]

Nice review, that was my first Rolex (with a domed acrylic crystal.) Wish I still had it.

[spaggio]

Hi all guys, first of all sorry for my poor english.
It's a lot of time I follow your forum and finally, last week, I bought my first rolex, a stunning 14060M "cosc".

If you appreciate and/or suggest me to make a new topic here, please tell me!

PS: just to translate the few notes in italian, that's my mini-review:
- it's my first rolex, and the first expensive watch. I'm still quite worried about scratching it and/or making damage, but I feel like really having a "jewel" at my wrist
- the quality I can feel is stunning: 4 days I'm looking closely to it and still I can't find any defect or imperfection
- I love it

I hope you appreciate this.
Greetings to all
ciao
Andrea

[portable75]

I have two on my mind for the next rolli.....exp II or the 14060m ND.

[spaggio]

Hope you like some pics :)

Originally Posted by spaggio

Hi all guys, first of all sorry for my poor english.
It's a lot of time I follow your forum and finally, last week, I bought my first rolex, a stunning 14060M "cosc".

If you appreciate and/or suggest me to make a new topic here, please tell me!

PS: just to translate the few notes in italian, that's my mini-review:
- it's my first rolex, and the first expensive watch. I'm still quite worried about scratching it and/or making damage, but I feel like really having a "jewel" at my wrist
- the quality I can feel is stunning: 4 days I'm looking closely to it and still I can't find any defect or imperfection
- I love it

I hope you appreciate this.
Greetings to all
ciao
Andrea

[ChronoDate]

Nice review. I personally need the date function.

[Teofilo]

Very nice pictures Spaggio.....

[Bama]

Ed, I really enjoyed that review. Nicely done

[buz-lh]

Ed, very nice review and a classic Rolex. It is definitely on my list of must haves.

[Texsubmariner]

Nice pics of the COSC version. It may turn out to be rare, but time will tell.

[joieboie]

nice review and an excellent watch...I have the same 14060m and I really like it, not a big date fan

[kobieta]

Just saw one with the inner markings:

[tandrup]

Very good review - I agree wholeheartedly with your choice.

[Joey_V]

Great review... to the point! I like the Sub ND, but in the end, the date feature was too much to pass up and I really began to warm up to the cyclops.