Rolex Submariner No-Date 40mm Black Dial Oyster Bracelet 14060M | 2003 “Last of the Best”

“The Last of the Best” — A Collector’s Submariner

The Rolex Submariner is arguably the most important wristwatch ever made. Introduced in 1953 as one of the world’s first purpose-built dive watches, it redefined what a wristwatch could be: waterproof, legible underwater, robust enough for professional use, and elegant enough for daily life above the surface. Reference 14060M is the final chapter of the Submariner’s pre-ceramic, classic-case era — a watch that bridges the gap between the beloved vintage Subs of the 1950s and 1960s and the precision engineering of the modern Rolex lineup. Among Submariner collectors, it has earned an enduring nickname: “the last of the best.”

904L Oystersteel Case with the Classic Pre-Supercase Profile

The 40mm case is constructed from Rolex’s proprietary 904L stainless steel, a high-grade corrosion-resistant alloy that takes a deeper, more lustrous polish than the 316L steel used in most competing watches. What immediately distinguishes this case from any Submariner made after 2012 is its slimmer, more elegant profile: the 14060M retains the pre-“Supercase” lug shape — thinner and more swept — that makes the watch feel noticeably more refined and proportionate on the wrist than the broader, heftier models that followed. The caseback screws down securely, and the crown features Rolex’s Triplock triple-waterproofness system, sealing the case to an impressive 300 meters of water resistance, a 50% improvement over the earlier 5513 reference that this lineage descends from. A flat sapphire crystal, the first ever fitted to a no-date Submariner, protects the dial, and the case is protected beneath by a screw-down solid steel caseback.

Drilled Lugs — The Last of Their Kind

The 14060M holds another distinction no later Submariner can claim: it was the last Rolex Submariner to feature drilled lug holes. That seemingly minor detail makes switching out the original Oyster bracelet for a rubber strap, leather strap, or NATO an effortlessly simple task, requiring no special tools and giving one watch several very distinct wrist presences. No Submariner produced after this generation offers that versatility, making drilled lugs one of the most quietly sought-after features among serious Submariner collectors.

The Black Aluminum Bezel

The unidirectional rotating bezel is fitted with a black anodized aluminum insert, graduated in 60 minutes with a Mercedes-style marker at 12 o’clock for dive timing. The 14060M was the last Rolex Submariner to carry an aluminum bezel insert before the introduction of Cerachrom ceramic with the following generation — and while ceramic is virtually unbreakable and scratch-proof, it will never develop the unique character and patina that an aluminum insert acquires over years of wear. The bezel rotates with 120 crisp clicks and remains firmly in position between adjustments, a fundamental requirement for a professional diving instrument.

The Gloss Black No-Date Dial

Without the date window or Cyclops lens found on the Submariner Date, the dial of the 14060M is a study in symmetry and legibility. The gloss black surface is fitted with applied dot and baton luminous hour markers framed in white gold, paired with the iconic Mercedes-style hands also filled with luminous material. As a 2003 “F-serial” production example, this watch features Super-LumiNova rather than the earlier tritium lume, giving it strong legibility in low-light conditions. The absence of the date complication means no asymmetry, no magnifying lens crowding the dial — just the cleanest, most balanced expression of the Submariner design in the modern era.

Powered by Caliber 3130

The movement inside this 2003 example is the Caliber 3130 — the no-date sibling of the legendary Caliber 3135 that has powered the Submariner Date since 1988. The 3130 was introduced in 1999 as a significant upgrade over the previous Caliber 3000, bringing with it a Breguet overcoil hairspring for improved accuracy and temperature resistance, a larger balance wheel for greater stability, and a full balance bridge replacing the earlier balance cock for added structural integrity. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the movement delivers approximately 48 hours of power reserve and is widely regarded as one of the most reliable mechanical movements Rolex has ever produced. The 3130 continued to power the no-date Submariner all the way through to 2020, a testament to just how well-engineered this caliber was from the outset.

Condition & What’s Included

This 2003 example is a pre-owned piece offered in used condition consistent with its age, with the minor surface marks one would expect from a carefully worn watch over two decades. No further condition details were specified beyond what is visible.

Shipping & Payment

This watch ships directly from San Francisco via insured delivery at $5,900 shipped. A 5% discount is available for crypto payments. Leave a message for further details.

Why This Reference Stands Out

The 14060M occupies a unique and irreplaceable position in the Submariner family tree. It is the last Submariner with the classic pre-supercase profile, the last with an aluminum bezel insert, the last with drilled lug holes, and the last to carry a plain rehaut without engraving — a combination of features that will never appear together again on a production Rolex. As the ceramic-bezel, Maxi-case generation of Submariners becomes the new standard, the collector market continues to rediscover the clean elegance and proportional grace of the five-digit models, making the 14060M one of the smartest value propositions in the entire Rolex sport-watch ecosystem. For the buyer who appreciates where the Submariner came from as much as where it is today, this is the reference to own.