BaselWorld 2011: What happens to the No-Date Submariner

A very good acquaintance of mine would kill me for calling the Rolex Submariner 14060M, the "No-Date Submariner". There is the Submariner and the Submariner Date, he would say. To some the Rolex without the date complication represents the true divers tool watch. As a pure diver watch, there really is no need for the date complication. While the Rolex Submariner 14060M does not enjoy the same degree of popularity, it does have a following.

Rolex Submariner 14060m. Photo is from the JK Watchstore

and is used with their permission. No republication of the same

 should be made without permission from the source. 

The Rolex Submariner 14060M is an oddity in the Rolex line-up. It still had lug holes in the case and still uses Non-Solid End Link bracelets, a decade after those features disappeared from the line-up. Actually, even before the Rolex Submariner date was upgraded with the new case and ceramic bezel, it did not share these parts with the Rolex Submariner 14060M, the 14060M having a slightly smaller case and a slightly narrower bezel. 

There has been speculation as to why Rolex continued to manufacture this watch in the old way. Some said, it was Rolex's link with the past, others that Rolex is simply using existing inventories of parts to manufacture the Submariner 14060M. Given Rolex's propensity for silence, we are likely never to find out. 

With Basel 2011 coming up, the question arises will there be a new ceramic no-date Submariner, will it continue to soldier on as it has in the past impervious to Rolex design changes in other watches, or will it simply quietly fade away. If Rolex will issue a new no-date Submariner, 2011 would be the year for that, having release the all gold version in 2008, the bi-metal version in 2009 and in 2010 the stainless version of the Submariner Date.   

I am hoping Rolex leaves this watch the way it is. In a previous article, we made the case for the no-date Submariner. It is nice having this last true classic in the line-up. Many, myself included would really like to see this return to it roots, and lose the white gold rings around the hour markers and swap out the sapphire crystal glass for a acrylic crystal. A modern vintage. But that is not going to happen. In 2011, we will see it in ceramic or likely we will see it disappear. At some point in time it would no longer make sense to keep this grand old watch in Rolex's manufacturing line-up.

About Rolex. Rolex SA is a Swiss manufacturer of wristwatches and accessories founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis. Rolex is the largest single luxury watch brand by far, producing over 2000 watches per day. Rolex is the best known and most sought after watch brand in the world.