Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1974
    Reference No: 5514, 5513 stamped on caseback
    Case No: 4'155'901
    Model Name: Submariner "COMEX"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster, stamped 9315, max. length 210 mm, endlinks stamped 385
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel twin lock deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 38.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed. Outercase further engraved Rolex COMEX, issue number 68504-Ci 446, inside case back 4155901
    Accessories: Accompanied by presentation box

  • Catalogue Essay

    Almost nothing has captured the imagination of Rolex collectors as the COMEX reference 5514 and the military submariner reference 5513/5517. The 5514 has now overtaken other COMEX references as the most sought after; it is the watch to have for any serious Rolex collector.

    This extremely rare watch is a variant of the reference 5514 non-logo dial made for COMEX and the Cuerpo Infanteria (Ci), or the Navy of the Argentine Republic. Engraved on the case back of this example are the Military Issue Numbers 68504-Ci and the Comex number of 446.

    The 5514 models were a batch of watches specially made for COMEX and its divers and never sold by retailers. They were delivered after the successful testing of the 5513 with HEV (Helium Escape Valve), and COMEX made a special order of these watches.

    Research shows there was a partnership between COMEX and the Argentinian Navy in the middle of the 1970s. At that time, Argentina's state-owned oil company was Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales. During the period of the 17th and 30th of October 1977, 16 Argentine Navy divers were trained at COMEX Hyperbaric Experimental Centre in Marseille.

    The case retains good proportions with nicely aged luminous plots and hands, the case back engraving is clear and legible, and the serial and inside case back numbers match, which is extremely important for Comex and Military Submariner watches.

    All these factors combined make this a rare opportunity to add a very special variant of the fabled ‘Comex Submariner’ to one's collection.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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145

Ref. 5514, 5513 stamped on caseback
A very rare and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with helium valve, bracelet, made for COMEX and issued to the Argentine Navy

1974
38.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed. Outercase further engraved Rolex COMEX, issue number 68504-Ci 446, inside case back 4155901

Estimate
CHF40,000 - 70,000 

Sold for CHF52,500

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm