Rolex

The Rolex Submariner is perhaps the most recognizable watch ever made, having been in constant production for nearly 70 years, and is a genre-defining dive watch. The reference 14060 was the successor to the celebrated 5513, and as you’d expect from Rolex, it was an improvement in every way. For instance, water resistance was now a staggering 1000 feet or 300 meters.

Early 14060s still used tritium dials and had cases with ‘holey’ lugs for easy strap changes. But as production went on, the 14060M model was introduced which saw the switch from tritium to Luminova – and eventually removed the lug holes that had been a hallmark of the Submariner since inception. The present 14060M is transitional, in that while it uses a Luminova ‘4-Line’ dial, it still has lug holes. However, that is not what makes this example so special.

This example of the 14060M was owned by Michael Cheesman, the Australian free diver. For those not familiar with the sport, free diving remains one of the most dangerous types of diving that one can do. It involves the diver descending into the ocean with no breathing apparatus of any kind – only with the air they can hold in their lungs. Upon reaching their limit, they then attempt to resurface as quickly as possible. Michael Cheesman wore this Submariner 14060M on his record-breaking ‘No Limits’ free-dive in 2013 off the island of Crete. Michael was able to descend to a depth of 127 meters – setting the new Australian record at the time. Accordingly, this watch is inscribed on its case back and bracelet commemorating that record-setting moment.

While the sport of free diving is not the kind of diving we most commonly associate with the Rolex Submariner, it is amazing to think of the incredible feat of human achievement this watch witnessed.