Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 346

Ref. 5513, Comex Submariner 660 H.E.V., Maxi Dial Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, "Submariner, 660 ft./200 m?, case No. 2833541, Ref. 5513. Made for Comex in 1971. Very fine and very rare, center-seconds, self-winding,water-resistant, stainless steel diver?swristwatchwith first generation heliumescape valve and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster Fliplock bracelet.

CHF 40,000 - 50,000

USD 37,000 - 46,000 / EUR 25,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 38,400

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screw-down case back with COMEX inscription and case number « 5** » stamped inside, screwdown triplock crown with Crown Guard, graduated bi-directional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, helium escape valve. D. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton indexes. Luminous skeleton hands.M. Cal. 1520, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straightline lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 14 mm. Approx overall length 185 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Submariner and Sea-Dweller References used by Comex: 1970-1972/3 Submariner Ref. 5513 with HEV. 1972-1978 Submariners Ref. 5514 with HEV made for COMEX only. 1978-1979 Submariner Ref. 1680 no HEV. 1977-1980 Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 with HEV. 1980-1984 Sea-Dweller sapphire Ref. 16660 with HEV. 1982-1986 Submariner sapphire Ref. 16800 no HEV. 1988-1989 Submariner Ref. 168000 no HEV. 1986-1997 Submariner Ref. 16610 no HEV. 1992-1997 Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 with HEV and sapphire crystal.
COMEX (COmpagnie Maritime d?EXpertise) A French company, specialized in deep sea exploration that made great advances in saturation diving in the 1960s and 70s. At the time COMEX divers wore Rolex Submariners, ref. 5513. These were rated to 200 meters, sufficient for most dives. However, during the 10- day decompression period following saturation dives, the watch crystals would violently explode due to pressure from helium that had built up in the watch. To rectify the problem, Rolex invented the gas escape valve (Swiss patent 492246). This simple spring-loaded one-way valve was first fitted to the standard Submariner 5513, which was then given the Ref. 5514. Further research led to the first ?Sea-Dweller, Submariner 2000?, Ref. 1665, in 1971.