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Lot Essay
'A hydrogen diver just can't survive without his Rolex' - Henri-Germain Delauze
Christie's has the great honor to present the following reference 5514 Submariner complete with a plethora of diving memorabilia which tells the stories that th present timepiece has lived. Accessories include the original Comex Diving book and log, meticulously showing all of the missions the original owner went on, his medical clearance, certifications, his equipment including a Comex branded depth gage, flashlight, large knife with sheath, and diving tables. Furthermore accompanying this amazing lot is a photo book showing the original owner wearing this watch along with his crew on various missions and training from 1972 to 1980.
Interestingly, it is believed that this particular reference 5514 Comex Submariner was a very early model as it does not have a helium escape valve.
The Rolex 'COMEX' Submariner Reference 5514
The Submariner reference 5514 is one of the most iconic and desirable Rolex COMEX references ever made since this particular reference number was never publicly available for purchase. The reference 5514 was only available to COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) divers in Marseille, a professional diving operation for the oil industry. In fact, it was the very first reference denoting a watch with helium escape valve (HEV) in the case, after successful testing in some modified reference 5513 Submariners from 1970 and 1972.
Shortly after in the same year of 1972, the reference 5514 was manufactured for Comex in very small batches (probably the low hundreds), and were individually stamped with Comex issue numbers on the caseback. Furthermore, the Rolex serial number between the lugs is replicated on the inside caseback.
Watches supplied to Comex include following references:
Ref. 5513 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1971 - 1973
Ref. 5514 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1974 - 1977
Ref. 16600 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 1972 - 1997
Ref. 1665 Sea-Dweller, 200ft=600m: approx. 1977 - 1982
Ref. 1680 Submariner Date, 660ft=200m: approx. 1978 - 1979
Ref. 16610 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1986 - 1997
Ref. 16660 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 1980 - 1984
Ref. 16800 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1982 - 1986
Ref. 168000 Submariner Date 1000ft=300 m: approx. 1988 - 1989
COMEX
Founded in 1961 in Marseille by Henri-Germain Delauze, Comex or Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise pioneered in professional diving in the commercial field, requiring tool watches designed for conducting safe diving operations at greater depths, known as saturation diving. The successful collaboration between Comex and Rolex started in the early 1970s when all divers were progressively equipped with watches especially made for Comex: the improved 'Submariner' model meeting the most stringent technical and professional demands of the professional deep-sea diver. Over the years, the watches featuring the legendary Comex name have undergone major technological innovations, the most famous still today remaining the gas escape valve, a crucial feature on diver's watches.
Christie's has the great honor to present the following reference 5514 Submariner complete with a plethora of diving memorabilia which tells the stories that th present timepiece has lived. Accessories include the original Comex Diving book and log, meticulously showing all of the missions the original owner went on, his medical clearance, certifications, his equipment including a Comex branded depth gage, flashlight, large knife with sheath, and diving tables. Furthermore accompanying this amazing lot is a photo book showing the original owner wearing this watch along with his crew on various missions and training from 1972 to 1980.
Interestingly, it is believed that this particular reference 5514 Comex Submariner was a very early model as it does not have a helium escape valve.
The Rolex 'COMEX' Submariner Reference 5514
The Submariner reference 5514 is one of the most iconic and desirable Rolex COMEX references ever made since this particular reference number was never publicly available for purchase. The reference 5514 was only available to COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) divers in Marseille, a professional diving operation for the oil industry. In fact, it was the very first reference denoting a watch with helium escape valve (HEV) in the case, after successful testing in some modified reference 5513 Submariners from 1970 and 1972.
Shortly after in the same year of 1972, the reference 5514 was manufactured for Comex in very small batches (probably the low hundreds), and were individually stamped with Comex issue numbers on the caseback. Furthermore, the Rolex serial number between the lugs is replicated on the inside caseback.
Watches supplied to Comex include following references:
Ref. 5513 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1971 - 1973
Ref. 5514 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1974 - 1977
Ref. 16600 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 1972 - 1997
Ref. 1665 Sea-Dweller, 200ft=600m: approx. 1977 - 1982
Ref. 1680 Submariner Date, 660ft=200m: approx. 1978 - 1979
Ref. 16610 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1986 - 1997
Ref. 16660 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 1980 - 1984
Ref. 16800 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1982 - 1986
Ref. 168000 Submariner Date 1000ft=300 m: approx. 1988 - 1989
COMEX
Founded in 1961 in Marseille by Henri-Germain Delauze, Comex or Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise pioneered in professional diving in the commercial field, requiring tool watches designed for conducting safe diving operations at greater depths, known as saturation diving. The successful collaboration between Comex and Rolex started in the early 1970s when all divers were progressively equipped with watches especially made for Comex: the improved 'Submariner' model meeting the most stringent technical and professional demands of the professional deep-sea diver. Over the years, the watches featuring the legendary Comex name have undergone major technological innovations, the most famous still today remaining the gas escape valve, a crucial feature on diver's watches.