The Ref. 14060 represents an important bridge between the vintage and modern eras of the Rolex Submariner, succeeding the legendary 5513 while introducing sapphire crystal, a Triplock crown, and 300 metres of water resistance without losing the clean no date character collectors associate with the classic Submariner. This circa 1999 example becomes considerably more interesting through its rare “Swiss Only” dial, a transitional configuration produced only during the brief 1998–1999 period when Rolex moved away from tritium and adopted LumiNova. Before this period, dials carried the familiar “T SWISS T < 25” signature, while from around 1999 onward Rolex moved to “SWISS MADE” with Super LumiNova. Combined with the original two line layout, this short production window gives the watch a particularly clean appearance and places it within one of the most interesting transitional moments of the five digit Submariner era. Measuring 39mm without crown and 43mm with crown, with a 46mm lug to lug and 12mm thickness, the Ref. 14060 retains the slimmer proportions that make neo vintage Rolex sport watches so wearable today. Inside beats the automatic Calibre 3000, the movement that powered the original 14060 before the modified 14060M and Calibre 3130 arrived around 1999. For me, the appeal of this piece comes from how many transitional details are concentrated into such a simple looking watch the two year “Swiss Only” window, two-line dial, no date symmetry, and late Cal. 3000 configuration make it a Submariner that looks understated at first glance but carries significantly more collector depth once you know what you are looking at.
