Rolex Comex, A rare and unusual stainless steel, automatic wristwatch
A rare and unusual stainless steel, automatic wristwatch with sweep center seconds, helium valve, Cal. 1520 nickel-finished lever movement, 26 jewels, black matte dial, luminous numerals, luminous hands, sweep center seconds, water- resistant type case, gas escape valve, screw back engraved ROLEX COMEX and screw down crown, case, dial and movement signed.
Reference 5514 is an extremely rare variant of the well-known reference 5513 featuring a helium valve usually reserved for the professional deep sea diving line, Sea-Dweller. It is understood that only an extremely small number of reference 5514 was ever made and that they were never available to the public. Few professional and scientific organizations had the privilege of ordering specific and small quantities of tailor-made versions, such as COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertise), a professional diving operation for the oil industry. In fact, many examples of reference 5514 feature the COMEX-logo on the dial and a COMEX issue number on the case back. (Christie’s Geneva Important Watches Nov 2008 Sale 1357 page 171)
The present watch, having the absence of the COMEX logo on the dial indicates it to be a pre-COMEX issue and therefore adds to its desirability and is sought after by serious Rolex collectors.
Reference no. 5514/5513, case 3804887
Made in 1973
38.5mmA rare and unusual stainless steel, automatic wristwatch with sweep center seconds, helium valve, Cal. 1520 nickel-finished lever movement, 26 jewels, black matte dial, luminous numerals, luminous hands, sweep center seconds, water- resistant type case, gas escape valve, screw back engraved ROLEX COMEX and screw down crown, case, dial and movement signed.
Reference 5514 is an extremely rare variant of the well-known reference 5513 featuring a helium valve usually reserved for the professional deep sea diving line, Sea-Dweller. It is understood that only an extremely small number of reference 5514 was ever made and that they were never available to the public. Few professional and scientific organizations had the privilege of ordering specific and small quantities of tailor-made versions, such as COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertise), a professional diving operation for the oil industry. In fact, many examples of reference 5514 feature the COMEX-logo on the dial and a COMEX issue number on the case back. (Christie’s Geneva Important Watches Nov 2008 Sale 1357 page 171)
The present watch, having the absence of the COMEX logo on the dial indicates it to be a pre-COMEX issue and therefore adds to its desirability and is sought after by serious Rolex collectors.
Reference no. 5514/5513, case 3804887
Made in 1973
38.5mm
