Rolex to update the 14060m (speculations)

[burger'n'fries]

After Basel 2010 I've been wondering if Rolex has plans to update the Sub no-date. It was showcased during the event (from what I've read) and is back on display on Rolex's website. I feel this resurgence in advertising the watch is to get potential buyers interested. Perhaps Rolex is trying to sell off its old stock before launching a new model next year or maybe in a couple of years.

If my suspicions are correct these are the new features I would like to see:
-new movement 3132
-ceramic bezel
-new bracelet; if not the glide lock, then at least an SEL.
-a new case design (like the new steel sub date)
-a convex crystal shape
-larger hour markers and hands
-blue luminescence

Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part. What do you guys think? What would you like to see? Is a change even coming?

[The GMT Master]

Well, I think there are two potential fates for the non-date Submariner: firstly, it could be killed off next year, or secondly, it could receive the same updates as the Sub Date.

If I were a gambling man, I would put my money on:

*Super Case
*Cal. 3130
*Cerachrom Bezel
*Glidelock clasp and revised bracelet
*Maxi Dial with Chromalight


If Rolex were to update it, I think it would make sense from a manufacturing point of view to use essentially the same parts as the 116610. I think it's in need of updates from a sales point of view - whilst it has a strong following within the Rolex community, to the general public, it doesn't feel in the same league as other watches within the Rolex range and from other brands. I do get a bad feeling that they might drop it though

[Mr. Greene]

I hope they dont do the super case on it, to me it would seem that it would look too big for a no date sub. it would be nice if they just left it alone and made the distinction between the date and no date more significant.

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Mr. Greene

it would be nice if they just left it alone and made the distinction between the date and no date more significant.

Agree enough with that. Will be surprising to pay about 7000 bucks for a Sub no Date. Must be really different from the new Sub Date.

[dysondiver]

id have to agree , super size the case , new lume etc , but i think the price hike of doing that would kill it off , it wouldnt look like value i dont think , even in rolex definitions of value. the percentage of cash needed to add a date would be less so i think the gap would close not open , and it would vanish. add a glideloc and leave it alone would be my thoughts ,
but i dont sell millions of pounds worth of watches every year, so what wouldi know.

[sleddog]

Leave it be......

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by sleddog1000

Leave it be......

Yes please

[z32turbo]

My guess is no change for now.

[Dan2010]

Leave it alone. It's my second favorite watch and needs to stay the way it is.

[mcubed]

Odds are they wont leave it be. Rolex almost never does that, watches in a line all eventually receive the same upgrades, and it has been that way since the birth of the submariner and the GMT: Solid end links, sapphire crystals, gold surrounds on the dial all started on the gold models and filtered down. If past behavior is any indication of future action, the ND sub with either get the upgrades or go the way of the Dodo.

[FLB03TT]

Originally Posted by mcubed

Odds are they wont leave it be. Rolex almost never does that, watches in a line all eventually receive the same upgrades, and it has been that way since the birth of the submariner and the GMT: Solid end links, sapphire crystals, gold surrounds on the dial all started on the gold models and filtered down. If past behavior is any indication of future action, the ND sub with either get the upgrades or go the way of the Dodo.

Agree 4000%. They will either kill it or update it to current Sub C specs w/o date. In relaative terms if they update it and then charge $700-$800 less than the Sub C it will be perceived as a bargain.

[Dr. Robert]

Let it be.

[Tools]

They haven't changed it in 20 years - 60 if you disregard the simple sapphire crystal change .......... it even has the old lug holes, something that they did away with on other watches a decade ago, and hollow end links, and a bracelet that first came out in 1973, over 35 yers ago,

They also sell every single one and have folks the world over looking for them...

I say that they won't do much at all.. Perhaps the latest Paraflex and parachrom equipped 3132, but that's about it...

... I mean, they still have to produce the parts to repair and replace the previous 50 years of Rolex Subs, so what would be the driver to ceramicise it......

[springbar]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

Leave it alone. It's my second favorite watch and needs to stay the way it is.

They already went ahead and messed with it a few years ago by adding the rehaut engraving and four more lines of text on the dial.

At this point, the current 14060M is neither fish nor foul. It's appearance is no longer particularly minimalist, but it's still got the old bracelet and clasp. Rolex might as well update it, and I suspect they will.

[mborkow]

Originally Posted by springbar

They already went ahead and messed with it a few years ago by adding the rehaut engraving and four more lines of text on the dial.

At this point, the current 14060M is neither fish nor foul. It's appearance is no longer particularly minimalist, but it's still got the old bracelet and clasp. Rolex might as well update it, and I suspect they will.

Sorta like they ruined the 5512?

[Rogue884]

Maybe a bit of both... Maxi case & lug holes

[springbar]

Originally Posted by mborkow

Sorta like they ruined the 5512?

You'll recall that the 5512 didn't have 10 additional ROLEX logos engraved around the dial.

As for the COSC text: no, the 5512 is not an example of a particularly minimalist design. It does not have the same appeal as the 5513 or the old 14060M in that respect.

The old 14060M had a compelling appeal: it was the last of the old-school Rolexes, with an uncluttered look that differentiated it from the rest of the line-up at a glance.

The current 14060M has a more mixed identity. It has a modern face and a vintage body, so to speak.

[mborkow]

Originally Posted by springbar

You'll recall that the 5512 didn't have 10 additional ROLEX logos engraved around the dial.

True, but you can only see that engraving in the macro shots on this (and other) forums or if your face is two inches away from the watch. You have to be looking for a reason to be mad at Rolex to be upset about the engraved rehaut. As for the COSC text on the dial...if the 5512 is cluttered then I guess you don't approve of the 1680 or any Sea-Dwellers either?

[burger'n'fries]

Originally Posted by Tools

They haven't changed it in 20 years - 60 if you disregard the simple sapphire crystal change .......... it even has the old lug holes, something that they did away with on other watches a decade ago, and hollow end links, and a bracelet that first came out in 1973, over 35 yers ago,

They also sell every single one and have folks the world over looking for them...

I say that they won't do much at all.. Perhaps the latest Paraflex and parachrom equipped 3132, but that's about it...

... I mean, they still have to produce the parts to repair and replace the previous 50 years of Rolex Subs, so what would be the driver to ceramicise it......

Rolex changed the Explorer, which is just as old, a very drastic change to say the least. The same can be said about the Sub Date depending on who you talk to, of course. I think the 14060m is in a state of limbo right now. If it continues to be produced in its current state I believe interest would decline as the popularity of the new Sub Date increases which could mean doom for the future of the watch. If the 14060m is updated I believe it will be keeping with the direction Rolex is taking regarding the Submariner family. I, for one, hope it's the latter. Only time will tell. I have this feeling that larger cases (at least in appearance) are here to stay and that it is not just a fad.

[wjrw592]

Yep, I think that the move to larger cases is here to stay and I don't think that
the 14060m will be any exception. Updates to the case, lume, dial to maxi and an
updated bracelet and clasp are in the works ! imho.

[springbar]

Originally Posted by mborkow

True, but you can only see that engraving in the macro shots on this (and other) forums or if your face is two inches away from the watch. You have to be looking for a reason to be mad at Rolex to be upset about the engraved rehaut. As for the COSC text on the dial...if the 5512 is cluttered then I guess you don't approve of the 1680 or any Sea-Dwellers either?

Sigh.

I said the non-COSC 14060M dial has a minimalist appeal.

If you wish to pretend that's a put-down of the 5512, or the 1680, or [insert reference no. of mborkow's favorite Superlative Chronometer], I can't stop you.

As for the rehaut engraving, I believe you when you say you can't see it, but I certainly can.

[Brushpup]

Honestly, I think they could upgrade the bracelet and not harm it's appeal.

[alexxelor]

to be or not to be this is the rolex

[Dan2010]

Originally Posted by Tools

They haven't changed it in 20 years - 60 if you disregard the simple sapphire crystal change .......... it even has the old lug holes, something that they did away with on other watches a decade ago, and hollow end links, and a bracelet that first came out in 1973, over 35 yers ago,

They also sell every single one and have folks the world over looking for them...

I say that they won't do much at all.. Perhaps the latest Paraflex and parachrom equipped 3132, but that's about it...

... I mean, they still have to produce the parts to repair and replace the previous 50 years of Rolex Subs, so what would be the driver to ceramicise it......

Did you really just say ceramicise???

[ObscureLight]

If they update it, I'm pretty sure it'll become ceramic. If they don't update it the. It'll probably go to the dumpsters.
I don't think rolex will update an entire line to ceramic then leave 1 model aluminum.

[Dweller of the Sea]

I think they will kill it in 2-3 years.
Even with todays standards, the watch is just not worth its money with the old quality. Don´t get me wrong, I actually love the 14060M, but with todays standards, that 93150 bracelet is just too cheap for that price. The watch is overpriced with at least 2 grand.
If the Sub-C becomes a great success, I think Rolex is just going to stop production of the 14060M, when all other sportsmodels have been updated.
There is no room for old school in the future collection.

[Hansch99]

I think it'll be discontinued altogether because 1) I don't see it getting the maxi-dial/super-case treatment, and 2) without any changes, it'd cost about $2,000 less than all the other Subs--I don't think the 14060M was ever meant to be an "entry level" Sub, but that's certainly what it'd become at such a price difference.

[lance]

I went into an AD in Sydney to look at the 14060m. Salesman tells me that they're not expecting anymore pieces after Sep. Apparently, 3 persons have come in asking about the 14060m in the past 2 days. I've also rang an AD in singapore, and while they say it's not discontinued, they didn't have any in stock.

Wondering if they've stopped manufacturing them, and are clearing existing inventory before whatever they've planned for it happens (new model or no replacement)?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

Did you really just say ceramicise???

Usually folks don't read anything except the first post and what they wrote themselves..........

[Too Old]

Originally Posted by Dan2010

Did you really just say ceramicise???

Is that where they cut 1" off the bezel