The Rolex Submariner 114060 is an extremely difficult timepiece to beat. For many people, owning a Rolex watch is a dream. In several respects, the Swiss company's strength is that it has generated a market for its brand rather than the goods it produces. The message is that Rolex is a brand whose reputation speaks louder than its goods in many respects.
One of Rolex's paradoxes is that the most common pieces among watch collectors are not the ones that Rolex sells the most. When you ask a "watch man" what the best Rolex watch is, the majority of us would say something from the "Oyster Professional" collection, like a Submariner or GMT-Master (among others). If you ask Rolex where the majority of their profits come from, they'll tell you something really different. Rolex will reveal that Datejusts, especially women's models with diamonds, are the most common products in their collection from a business standpoint.
Watch collectors and the rest of the people have varying preferences in watches. That's something we've known for a long time, and it's something we'll probably look into more in the future. However, brands such as Rolex, Omega, and TAG Heuer, which do not depend solely on sales from watch collectors, continue to offer a wide range of watches that we find appealing. And if there is one watch that appeals to both watch collectors and the general public, it is the well-known Rolex Submariner.
Why does Rolex give two models (the ref. 114060 in this article and the ref. 116610)? That's a fair point, and it has to do with appealing to fans of the original Rolex Submariner watches, which were first introduced in the 1950s. The date window was added to the Submariner later, and Rolex has created models with and without the date over the years. The Rolex Submariner Date costs around $1,000 more, but you get a date complication and a magnifier lens built into the sapphire crystal to make it easier to read the date. Not everybody enjoys using a magnifier, so if you really want to go on a date but don't like using one, this is a good option for you.
While the Rolex Submariner Date 116610 is an iconic and classic design, we prefer the elegance of the Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060's perfectly symmetrical and more basic dial. We also appreciate the fact that there is no need to change the date. If the watch has been sitting for a while and hasn't been wound, setting it is quicker and easier because you just need to set the time (not AM/PM). Even though the complication is cool, you don't use the date on your watch very much, so you feel free to leave it out of the Rolex Submariner in this case.
Rolex watches are made with the accuracy of scientific instruments, and they are one of the few watches that can be examined with a magnifying glass while still appreciating so many details. Whether it's the tarnish-resistant 18k white gold hands and hour markers, or the polishing on the steel case, Rolex goes to great lengths to imbue a product like this with a true sense of beauty.
The Rolex Submariner 114060 is one of the smallest watches, measuring 40mm in diameter. Given the big lugs, it does, however, wear large for its size. It looks and feels more like a 42mm watch. The on-wrist comfort is exceptional, but Rolex has had decades to perfect the design, and the newest generation Submariner is at its pinnacle. The bracelet is comfortable to wear and, best of all, the Glidelock device helps you to easily change the bracelet by a few millimeters. Wrists expand and contract naturally as a result of changes in temperature, etc., so the ability to micro-adjust the watch at any time is a very useful function.
316L stainless steel is used in the majority of watches. Rolex, on the other hand, does not. They started using a steel alloy known as 904L steel around 15 years ago. Rolex takes their metals very seriously, which I go into more detail about here when I talk about how Rolex has its own metallurgy department. Rolex is the only company capable of mass producing 904L parts since 904L steel is more complex to machine than 316L steel. Given its finish, which is slightly whiter than most other steels, 904L steel polishes up a little better and has a faint white gold appearance. The use of 904L steel in combination with Rolex's careful finishing results in a case and bracelet unlike any other.
The revolving diver's bezel with Rolex's Cerachrom black ceramic bezel insert wraps around the dial. Aluminum bezel inserts were still used in previous generations of Rolex Submariners, and they are almost barbaric in contrast to the more recent ceramic ones. Aluminum bezel inserts that are flat and easy to scratch should be avoided in all but the most inexpensive watches these days. Some citizens, understandably, prefer the older aluminum-style bezel (or even some of the plastic ones, from a really long time ago). Those individuals are obviously ignoring the ceramic bezel's impressive nature, precision cut markers, and scratch resistance properties.
The caliber 3130 automatic movement is housed within the Rolex Submariner 114060. It's an incredibly well-made, no-nonsense workhorse of the highest quality that simply tells the time. Each of these watches is certified by Rolex COSC Chronometer, and it has proven to be extremely accurate and reliable for a mechanical watch, that is.
Rolex only covers the bottom of the crystal with anti-reflective (AR) coating, not the top. That means there is glare, but it isn't excessive because the crystal is flat. Rolex watches are not “exciting” or “trendy,” but rather mature and elegant, and sometimes timeless. The Rolex Submariner isn't just a watch; it's a tradition. It's similar to being a member of a club that many people can join at least once in their lives. This watch is a testament to a collection of design and production standards that are so uncontroversial that you can't help but support them. Many people are content to wear a Rolex Submariner as their regular timepiece.
