The second half of 2024 has begun. If we look at the model that has attracted the most attention and has been traded most actively on VIVER, It would probably be the Rolex Submariner No Date (Ref. 124060).
It has already gained so much popularity that you can easily find related information and reviews all over the internet. However, My personal preference leans toward the older No Date model (Ref. 114060), And I would like to highlight its appeal.

Size

The first charm is the size. As covered in the previous VIVER magazine <Watches under 39mm>,
even a 1mm difference is an important factor when it comes to watches.
The 114060 (40mm), Which is 1mm smaller in case size than the latest Submariner No Date Ref. 124060 (41mm), May be hard to distinguish with the naked eye, But you can definitely feel the size difference when it is on your wrist.
For some reason, The 124060 felt a bit overwhelming in terms of size, And the subtle 1mm difference makes the older model closer to my taste. 

Dial

Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060
©Viver

When I wore it again after a long time, I thought, "Huh? Did the dial always look this small?" (Maybe the dial is smaller than I remembered, Or maybe my wrist has gotten bigger...)

Perhaps it is because I unconsciously compared it to the Explorer 1 Ref. 214270 (39mm size) that I tried on recently. The Explorer has a slim bezel design, But the Submariner, As a diver's watch, Has a wide bezel, Which makes the dial look relatively smaller.  

114060 vs 214270 Optical illusion due to bezel size
©Reddit

I checked to see how much difference there actually is in dial size. The Submariner Ref. 114060 is about 30.5mm, While the Explorer 1 Ref. 214270 is slightly smaller at about 29.5mm. In reality, The 114060 has a larger dial. Again, It is a 1mm difference.

Case & Bezel

The case material is the same 904L stainless steel as the previous No Date model 14060m, But the bezel has been upgraded from the traditional aluminum bezel to Rolex's proprietary ceramic material, Cerachrom.

From a purely financial perspective, Aluminum would have been cheaper for Rolex to use, But by switching to Cerachrom, Which is more durable and resistant to scratches and environmental factors, You can feel Rolex's genuine commitment to putting the customer first. On the other hand, It is understandable that Rolex continues to raise prices in order to maintain its profit margins, Which is a bit unfortunate for consumers.

Durable Cerachrom Bezel ©Senatus

The lug-to-lug length is about 47.5mm for both the latest (124060) and the older (114060) models, But there is a difference in lug width. Again, It is 1mm.

The lug width of the older 114060 is 1mm smaller at 20mm compared to the 124060, So even though the lugs are chunkier, It feels less overwhelming on my thin wrist when the bracelet sits on top.

Left 114060, Right 124060
©Viver

The case thickness is 12.5mm. Compared to the previously mentioned 214270 Explorer (11.3mm), It definitely feels more substantial. But thinking about it, It makes sense for the 114060, As you can tell from the Submariner name. To equip the watch with the essential water resistance for diving, The case inevitably becomes thicker.

The 114060, Which uses a robust movement (Caliber 3130) that can withstand deep water pressure, Requires additional and more robust seals and gaskets in the case back, Crown, And crystal to prevent water from entering. In particular, The crown uses a TripLock winding crown with three sealed zones for extra protection underwater. (Although I have never been to a depth of 300m and probably never will, Listening to the explanation while looking at the 114060 gives me confidence that it could handle it.)

114060 case with water resistance up to 300m

Left: 124060, Right: 114060, Case thickness is the same
©Viver

Indexes & Markers

The indexes and markers use Rolex's proprietary luminescent material Chromalight, Just like the current 124060, So the indexes and markers emit a long-lasting luminous glow even in dark environments. 

Left: 114060 chromalight Right: 14060m Super-LumiNova

©Watch Club

It is said to have a longer duration and stronger luminosity than the Super-LumiNova used in the previous 14060m. Along with the evolution of the bezel, You can once again see Rolex's efforts to always deliver improved results to the public. Personally, Aside from the material upgrade, I like that the color changed from green to blue with Chromalight.

Wearing Comfort

The 114060 has a bracelet width about 1mm smaller than the 124060. Because of this, I honestly think the wearing comfort is slightly less than the 124060.
(That does not mean it is uncomfortable ☺)
Since the 124060 uses a wider bracelet, It distributes the weight more evenly on the wrist, Giving a more stable feel.
However, I still think the 114060 is comfortable enough to wear daily, And since its comfort has already been recognized by the public, There is no need to say more.

If you dress casually like I do, It is perfect as a stylish accent. And since this model also has a refined side, It will look great under a shirt cuff with a suit as well.

Since it was discontinued in 2020, It is true that it is not as easy to find as the latest No Date model 124060. Perhaps that is why, On VIVER this year, This model has been traded quickly, With an average of about 6 days from listing to sale. As it is a rare model in the secondary market, If you are interested, Acting quickly is the answer ☺

If you have not tried it on yet, I recommend visiting the VIVER showroom, Where you can comfortably try not only the 114060 but also the Submariner No Date lineup, Including the 14060m and 124060.

To wrap up, My final score is…

Rating

Submariner 14060M

40mm, Black, Oyster

Submariner 114060

40mm, Black, Oyster

Submariner 124060

41mm, Black, Oyster