Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Monaco, Dec 12, 2025
LOT 153
ROLEX, SWITZERLAND, REF. 14270, EXPLORER I COMEX EVEREST
EUR 60,000 - 120,000
CHF 56,000 - 112,000 / HKD 550,000 - 1,090,000 / USD 70,000 - 140,000 / JPY 10,870,000 - 21,740,000
An exceptional and historically significant example of the rolex explorer i reference 14270, specially associated with the comex everest program, produced in 1997, this piece represents one of the rare collaborations between rolex and comex (compagnie maritime d’expertises) beyond the realm of professional diving watches, a unique link to the legendary spirit of exploration
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: |
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Case: 2-6 |
Very good Slightly oxidized |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-6-01 |
Very good Slightly oxidized HANDS Original |
Brand Rolex, Switzerland
Model EXPLORER I COMEX EVEREST
Reference 14270
Year 1997
Movement No. 4726966
Case No. T597007
Bracelet steel Rolex oyster bracelet 78360 with 558B clasp code Z2, approx. total length 200 mm.
Diameter 36
Caliber 3000, 27 jewels
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories original rolex box and punched warranty with 119 comex code, documentation from the press, two additional links
Notes
That same year, COMEX conducted the groundbreaking Operation Everest III, a physiological experiment simulating a full ascent of Mount Everest within a hypobaric chamber in Marseille, France. Over the course of 31 days, eight male volunteers aged between 23 and 37 were exposed to progressively reduced atmospheric pressures replicating an altitude of 8,848 meters (approximately 253 mmHg). The study included a brief “descent” to 5,000 meters for recovery, while continuous cardio-respiratory and metabolic data were recorded to advance understanding of human adaptation to extreme hypoxia.
For this mission, Rolex supplied a very limited number of watches to COMEX personnel and participants, each specially engraved on the caseback “EVEREST 8848 m COMEX 1997.” Known examples include several professional models — the present Explorer I Ref. 14270, the GMT-Master Ref. 16700, the Submariner Ref. 16610, and the Oysterquartz Ref. 17000 — confirming that the issue was a small, multi-reference batch rather than a numbered series. Historical evidence suggests fewer than ten pieces in total, making this one of the rarest COMEX-linked Rolex productions ever recorded.
The present watch retains its 36 mm stainless steel Oyster case, smooth polished bezel, black lacquer dial with applied white-gold hour markers and tritium-filled Mercedes hands, powered by the automatic Calibre 3000. Offered with its original box, punched warranty, booklets, and COMEX documentation, this “COMEX Everest” Explorer is a remarkable and intellectually compelling timepiece — bridging Rolex’s historic ties from the deepest oceans to the highest peaks on Earth.