Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...
Geneva, Mar 29, 2009
LOT 364
Ref. 5514, Comex Submariner 660 H.E.V., Maxi Dial Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, "Submariner, 660 ft./200 m?, case No. 5230270, Ref. 5514/ 5513. Made for Comex in 1977. Very fine and very rare, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver?s wristwatch with first generation helium escape valve and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster Fliplock bracelet. Accompanied by a fitted box.
CHF 40,000 - 60,000
USD 35,000 - 50,000 / EUR 27,000 - 40,000
Sold: CHF 84,000
C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screw-down case back with COMEX inscription and case number stamped inside, screw-down Triplock crown with Crown Guard, graduated bi-directional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, helium escape valve. D. Black with painted luminous round, triangular and baton indexes. Luminous skeleton hands. M. Cal. 1520, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight line 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 170 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Notes
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 1960's and 70's. 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 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.