SIGNED ROLEX, DEEPSEA SEA-DWELLER MODEL, ROYAL NAVY CLEARANCE DIVER, REF. 116660, CASE NO. V980073, NO. 24⁄50, CIRCA 2013

Consigned by its original owner, the present timepiece, number 24 of a limited edition of 50 pieces, is offered in excellent overall condition with the original protective stickers on the case and bracelet. The present owner served as a Clearance Diver for 8 years and was, at the time, one of the youngest members of the company. He served in Operation Telic in Iraq in 2006 and deployed worldwide, from Norway to Malaysia, with Fleet Team 3. Since leaving the Royal Navy, the owner became a Saturation Diver in the North Sea. He is one of two Clearance Divers to have ever rowed across the Atlantic, which he did in 2021 at the age of 39.

To commemorate the formation of the Royal Navy Clearance Diver Branch over 60 years ago, and to celebrate the numerous operations that the Branch has most successfully conducted, both at home and overseas, past and present, Rolex agreed to produce a limited series of only 50 'Royal Navy Clearance Diver Special Edition' Sea Dweller Deepsea Watches. To reflect the heart of the operational community, the case backs feature a high relief representation of the Royal Navy Clearance Diver's crest.

Considered 'the most dangerous underwater job in the world', clearance divers originated as underwater specialists dedicated to the removal of underwater obstructions from channels or harbors. Later the job evolved to include many other activities. Among these, the British Royal Navy - one of only three Navy worldwide - counts also the ghastly task of 'human minesweeper', highly trained individuals whose initial role was to clear sea-lanes to allow landing crafts to approach enemy beaches safely.