Quick Overview
The Rolex Submariner 14060 (1990–2000) and 14060M (1998–2012) are consecutive no-date Submariner references that share the same 40mm Oyster case in 904L stainless steel. Externally, they can look nearly identical — especially the two-line 14060M. The critical differences are internal: the 14060 runs the older Calibre 3000 without chronometer certification, while the 14060M houses the upgraded Calibre 3130 with COSC chronometer status, hacking seconds, and improved power reserve.
Full Specification Comparison
Below is a complete side-by-side specification table for the Rolex Submariner 14060 and 14060M, compiled from our watch reference database. Every data point is sourced from factory specifications, trusted collector references, and verified production records.
| Specification | Ref. 14060 | Ref. 14060M |
|---|---|---|
| Production Years | 1990–2000 | 1998–2012 |
| Case Diameter | 40mm | 40mm(same) |
| Case Material | 904L Stainless Steel | 904L Stainless Steel(same) |
| Case Thickness | ~12.5mm | 12.5mm(same) |
| Lug-to-Lug | ~47.5mm | 47.5mm(same) |
| Lug Width | 20mm | 20mm(same) |
| Water Resistance | 300m / 1,000ft | 300m / 1,000ft(same) |
| Movement | Calibre 3000 | Calibre 3130 |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) | 28,800 vph (4 Hz)(same) |
| Power Reserve | ~42 hours | ~48 hours |
| Jewels | — | 31 |
| Hacking Seconds | No | Yes |
| Hand-Winding | No | No(same) |
| Chronometer (COSC) | No | Yes |
| Hairspring | Standard | Parachrom Bleu (late) |
| Shock Protection | Standard | Paraflex |
| Crystal | Sapphire (flat) | Sapphire (flat)(same) |
| Bezel Insert | Aluminum | Aluminum(same) |
| Bezel Rotation | Unidirectional | Unidirectional(same) |
| Crown | Triplock | Triplock(same) |
| Crown Guards | Rounded | Rounded(same) |
| Dial Color | Black gloss | Black gloss(same) |
| Index Style | Applied white gold | Applied white gold(same) |
| Dial Text | Two-line | Two-line / Four-line COSC |
| Lume Material | Tritium (early) / Luminova | Super-Luminova |
| Lume Color | Cream (tritium aging) | Green |
| Hands | Mercedes, white gold | Mercedes, white gold(same) |
| Bracelet | Oyster, 904L | Oyster, 904L(same) |
| End Links | Solid | Solid(same) |
| Clasp | Fliplock | Oysterlock + Fliplock |
| Rehaut | Plain | Plain (early) / Engraved (late) |
| Predecessor | Ref. 5513 | Ref. 14060 |
| Successor | Ref. 14060M | Ref. 114060 |
Data sourced from the Watch Reference Map catalogue. Specifications confirmed against multiple collector references and factory sources.
Movement: Calibre 3000 vs Calibre 3130
The single most important difference between the 14060 and 14060M is the movement. The Calibre 3000 in the 14060 was a reliable workhorse but lacked several features that became standard in later Rolex calibres. The Calibre 3130 in the 14060M represented a significant upgrade in both accuracy and convenience.
Calibre 3000
Used in Ref. 14060
- 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency
- ~42 hours power reserve
- No hacking seconds
- Not COSC certified
- Standard hairspring
- No hand-winding
Calibre 3130
Used in Ref. 14060M
- 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency
- ~48 hours power reserve (+14%)
- Hacking seconds for precise time-setting
- COSC chronometer certified (-4/+6 sec/day)
- Parachrom Bleu hairspring (late production)
- No hand-winding
Dial: Two-Line vs Four-Line
The dial text is the most visible external difference — and the source of the most collector debate. The Rolex 14060 always has a two-line dial. The 14060M has two distinct variants.
Two-Line Dial (always)
Clean, uncluttered layout with just "OYSTER PERPETUAL" and "SUBMARINER" below the Rolex coronet. Early examples show "T SWISS MADE T" (tritium); later examples read "SWISS MADE".
Two-Line Dial (2000–2007)
Visually identical to the 14060 dial — the only way to confirm a two-line 14060M is by checking the case reference number between the lugs or opening the caseback to find the Cal. 3130. This variant is highly sought-after by collectors who prefer the clean aesthetic with the better movement.
Four-Line COSC Dial (2007–2012)
The four-line dial adds "SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER / OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED" text. This variant also features an engraved inner rehaut with repeating "ROLEX" text and the serial number at 6 o'clock — an anti-counterfeiting feature introduced around 2007.
Case & Bracelet
The external dimensions of the 14060 and 14060M are essentially identical — both use the same 40mm Oyster case in 904L stainless steel with rounded crown guards, a Triplock crown, and 300 metres of water resistance. The differences are in the clasp and rehaut.
| Detail | 14060 | 14060M |
|---|---|---|
| Clasp | Fliplock | Oysterlock + Fliplock |
| Inner Rehaut | Plain (smooth) | Plain (early) → Engraved ROLEX (late) |
| Serial Location | Between lugs at 6 o'clock | Between lugs (early) → Rehaut at 6 (late) |
| Case Finishing | Polished sides, brushed top | Polished sides, brushed top(same) |
| End Links | Solid 904L | Solid 904L(same) |
Bezel & Crystal
Both the 14060 and 14060M use the same bezel and crystal configuration — this is one area where the two references are genuinely identical:
- Bezel insert: Black aluminum with silver (platinum-style) engraved numerals and a luminous pearl pip at 12
- Rotation: Unidirectional 120-click ratchet system (60 positions)
- Crystal: Flat sapphire with no cyclops (no date window) and no anti-reflective coating
The aluminum bezel insert on both references is susceptible to fading over time — a characteristic many collectors find desirable. The successor Ref. 114060 replaced this with a scratch-proof Cerachrom ceramic insert.
Luminous Material
Luminous material is an important identification detail and a key factor in the character of each watch. The 14060 and 14060M span different lume eras.
| Lume Detail | 14060 | 14060M |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Material | Tritium → Luminova | Super-Luminova |
| Glow Color | Green (dim, fades) | Green (bright, lasting) |
| Aging | Tritium turns cream/yellow | Does not patina |
| Dial Marking | 'T SWISS MADE T' (early) | 'SWISS MADE' |
| Radioactive? | Tritium: mildly (safe) | No |
Tritium-dial 14060 examples have a vintage patina that Super-Luminova cannot replicate — the hour markers and hands develop a warm cream/ivory tone that many collectors prize. This is a key aesthetic differentiator between the two references. You can explore lume eras across every Submariner reference on our interactive timeline, which includes dedicated lume era overlays.
Production Timeline
Understanding where these references sit in the Submariner No-Date lineage helps contextualize their significance. Here is the production sequence from the late vintage era through to current production:
See the complete Submariner No-Date production history — all 21 references from 1953 to present — on our interactive timeline explorer.
How to Tell a 14060 from a 14060M
Since the two references share the same external case, distinguishing them requires checking specific details. Here is a ranked checklist:
Check the reference number between the lugs
Remove the bracelet at 12 o'clock and read the reference number stamped on the case between the lugs. '14060' vs '14060M' is definitive.
Four-line dial = always 14060M
If the dial reads 'SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER / OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED' below 'SUBMARINER,' it is a four-line 14060M (2007–2012). The 14060 never has this text.
Engraved rehaut = late 14060M
An inner rehaut with repeating 'ROLEX' text engraved around the dial opening confirms a late-production 14060M. The 14060 always has a plain (smooth) rehaut.
Check for hacking seconds
Pull the crown to the time-setting position. If the seconds hand stops, it is a 14060M (Cal. 3130). If the seconds hand keeps running, it is a 14060 (Cal. 3000). Requires handling the watch.
Dial lume marking
If the dial reads 'T SWISS MADE T' at 6 o'clock, the watch has tritium lume and is a 14060 (pre-~1998). 'SWISS MADE' alone could be either a late 14060 or any 14060M.
Which One Should You Buy?
Both the 14060 and 14060M are excellent neo-vintage Submariners. Your choice depends on what you value most:
Choose the 14060 if…
- You want a tritium dial with warm, aged patina
- You prefer the vintage-adjacent character of an older watch
- Hacking seconds and COSC are not priorities for you
- You want a lower entry price into a sapphire-crystal Sub
Choose the 14060M if…
- You want the better movement (Cal. 3130, hacking, 48h reserve)
- COSC chronometer certification matters to you
- You want the two-line dial + better movement combo (2000–2007 variant)
- You value Super-Luminova for brighter, more lasting lume
Explore on Watch Reference Map
This guide scratches the surface. Watch Reference Map lets you explore the complete Submariner No-Date history — from the 1953 Ref. 6204 to the current Ref. 124060 — on an interactive Gantt-style timeline. For every reference you can:
- See exact production periods visualized on the timeline
- Dive into variant-level specs (dial text, lume material, bracelet details)
- Use confidence-ranked identification clues to authenticate any Sub
- Toggle lume era overlays (Radium → Tritium → Super-Luminova → Chromalight)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 'M' in 14060M stand for?
The 'M' in Rolex 14060M stands for 'Modified.' Rolex uses this suffix to indicate an upgraded version of an existing reference that retains the same case design. In this case, the modification was the movement upgrade from Calibre 3000 to Calibre 3130, along with the addition of COSC chronometer certification.
Is the Rolex 14060 a chronometer?
No. The Rolex 14060 uses the Calibre 3000, which was not submitted for COSC chronometer certification. The dial reads only 'OYSTER PERPETUAL' and 'SUBMARINER' (two lines of text). The 14060M, which replaced it, received COSC certification — though early 14060M examples (2000–2007) also had two-line dials without chronometer text. The four-line COSC dial appeared on the 14060M from approximately 2007 onwards.
When was the Rolex 14060 produced?
The Rolex Submariner 14060 was produced from approximately 1990 to 2000. It replaced the long-running Ref. 5513 and was itself replaced by the 14060M around 1998–2000. There was a production overlap period where both references were being made simultaneously.
When was the Rolex 14060M produced?
The Rolex Submariner 14060M was produced from approximately 1998 to 2012. It replaced the 14060 and was itself replaced by the Ref. 114060 in 2012. The 14060M spans two distinct dial variants: the two-line dial (2000–2007) and the four-line COSC dial (2007–2012).
Can you hack the seconds hand on a Rolex 14060?
No. The Calibre 3000 in the Rolex 14060 does not have a hacking feature — the seconds hand cannot be stopped when the crown is pulled out to set the time. The 14060M's Calibre 3130 does support hacking, allowing precise time-setting to the second.
What is the difference between the 14060M two-line and four-line dial?
The 14060M two-line dial (2000–2007) reads 'OYSTER PERPETUAL' and 'SUBMARINER' — identical visually to the 14060. The four-line dial (2007–2012) adds 'SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER' and 'OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED' below, reflecting its COSC certification. The four-line version also has an engraved inner rehaut with repeating ROLEX text as an anti-counterfeiting measure.
Is the Rolex 14060 or 14060M a better investment?
Both references have appreciated steadily in the pre-owned market. The 14060 appeals to collectors who value the clean two-line dial and vintage-adjacent character, while the 14060M four-line COSC version offers a more technically refined watch. The two-line 14060M is particularly sought-after as it combines the improved Cal. 3130 movement with the cleaner two-line dial aesthetic. Market values fluctuate — check current prices from trusted dealers.
What replaced the Rolex 14060M?
The Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060 replaced the 14060M in 2012. The 114060 introduced a Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert (replacing aluminum), Chromalight lume (replacing Super-Luminova), a Glidelock extension system on the bracelet, and the so-called 'Super Case' with thicker lugs and a wider case profile.
Do the Rolex 14060 and 14060M use the same bracelet?
Both use the Oyster bracelet in 904L stainless steel with solid end links, but they have different clasps. The 14060 uses a Fliplock diver extension clasp, while the 14060M uses the improved Oysterlock clasp with a Fliplock diver extension. The visual difference is subtle but the Oysterlock clasp on the 14060M is considered a step up in terms of security and feel.
What lume does the Rolex 14060 use vs the 14060M?
The 14060 was produced during the tritium-to-luminova transition era. Early 14060 examples (1990–~1998) use tritium, marked 'T SWISS MADE T' on the dial. Late examples may have Luminova. The 14060M uses Super-Luminova throughout its production, which glows green and does not degrade over time like tritium. Neither reference uses Chromalight — that was introduced with the later 114060.