Television presenter Valérie Bénaïm spotted wearing a Rolex

French television presenter Valérie Bénaïm was recently spotted wearing a Rolex Submariner No-Date in stainless steel, ref. 114060 — a choice that signals genuine horological taste rather than mere status signalling. The no-date Submariner has always been the model preferred by those who know, and the 114060 generation represents its most refined modern expression before Rolex's 2020 overhaul.

Rolex introduced the reference 114060 at Baselworld 2012, replacing the long-running 14060M. The upgrade brought a larger 40mm Oyster case in 904L stainless steel, a scratch-resistant ceramic Cerachrom bezel insert in black, and the self-winding calibre 3130 — a movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 48-hour power reserve and Rolex's Parachrom hairspring for improved resistance to magnetic fields and shocks. Water resistance stands at 300 metres, with a Triplock crown and Oysterlock bracelet with Glidelock extension completing the package.

The 114060 was discontinued in 2020 alongside the introduction of its successor, the ref. 124060, which bumped the case to 41mm. That discontinuation instantly elevated the 114060's collector standing. Among enthusiasts, the 40mm no-date Submariner represents a sweet spot: historically proportioned, mechanically robust, and visually symmetrical without the cyclops lens over a date window. The black dial and Mercedes hands remain one of the most legible and enduring dial configurations in watchmaking.

Valérie Bénaïm is a prominent figure in French media, best known for her long tenure on Canal+ and appearances across prime-time television. Her public profile is built on directness and cultural authority — qualities that map naturally onto a watch like the Submariner 114060, which makes no concessions to decoration or novelty. It is a working tool watch worn by someone comfortable with understatement.

On the grey market, the 114060 commands a meaningful premium over its original retail price, driven by post-discontinuation demand and the enduring global appetite for steel Rolex sports references. Collectors willing to source a well-preserved example with original bracelet and papers can expect to pay considerably above the last list price, making Bénaïm's wrist real estate a quietly smart one.