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1997 Rolex Submariner 14060 – Stainless Steel Black "Two-Liner"

Details

The Final Era of Classic Proportions

The reference 14060 Submariner is often cited by purists as the last "true" Submariner. Before the transition to the broader "Super Case" with its larger lugs and wider ceramic bezels, the 14060 maintained the elegant, tapered silhouette that defined Rolex for decades. This 1997 example is an essential tool watch, stripping away the date window and the cyclops lens to provide a perfectly symmetrical, high-visibility dial. 

The Purist’s Professional Diver

This reference matters because it bridges the gap between the vintage 5513 and the modern ceramic references. It retains the classic aluminum bezel insert, which develops a unique character over time that modern ceramic cannot match. By the late 90s, the Submariner had become a global icon, yet the "No Date" remained the choice for those who valued the watch's origins as a dedicated professional instrument. Its balanced proportions and 40mm footprint make it arguably the most wearable sports watch ever produced, sitting comfortably on the wrist without the added bulk of later iterations.

Honest Maintenance and Original Provenance

The condition of this Submariner is good overall and has been professionally maintained with service records. A significant highlight for this specific piece is its documentation: it comes with two official Rolex Service Center (RSC) warranty cards from 2009 and 2015. This provides a clear, verifiable service history and ensures that the watch has been handled by the right hands throughout its life. The Oyster bracelet is in good shape, and the movement is confirmed to be running strong after passing by our test bench.

The Definitive Daily Tool Watch

This is for the collector who wants a Submariner that feels like an instrument, not a piece of jewelry. It works because it favors the classic, athletic lines that made the brand famous over the more aggressive, blocky profiles found in modern catalogs. With the security of original papers and a documented service history, it's a low-risk, high-reward entry into the world of Rolex. 

Key Specs

Reference: 14060

Model: Submariner 

Year: 1997 (U-Serial)

Movement: Automatic (Cal. 3000)

Case Size: 40mm

Bezel: Black Aluminum Rotating Insert

Bracelet: Oyster (11 Links, Fits up to 7.4in)

Dial: Glossy Black "Two-Liner"

Metal: Stainless Steel

SKU: 489

History

The Submariner arrived in 1953 as the first wristwatch water-resistant to 100 meters, purpose-built for diving. A rotating bezel calibrated for dive timing, luminous indices and hands, a screw-down crown, and a bracelet that wore comfortably over a wetsuit: every detail solved a specific problem.

What nobody planned was what happened next. James Bond wore one on screen. Explorers wore them on expeditions. Architects wore them to meetings. The Submariner became the reference point for the modern sports watch — the watch every other sports watch has been measured against ever since.

References 14060 (no date, cleaner dial), 16610 (with date and cyclops), and 168000 (an earlier transitional reference) in our inventory span the mid-1980s through early 2000s. At 40mm with a 300-meter water resistance rating, these are not compromised vintage watches — they are fully functional, extraordinarily robust instruments that also happen to be some of the most beautiful watches ever made.