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Lot Essay
With Cx Pro depth gauge, knife and sheath, wetsuit, mask, flippers and bag, first owner's Personal Log Book meticulously listing his various dives while at Comex as well as afterwards, Comex Middle East recommendation letter confirming his employment as workshop manager of the firm from 1 March 1976 to 31 January 1979 and various black and white images showing him on the job. Furthermore delivered with a copy of Rolex UK letter dated 2 August 2010 confirming delivery of the present watch to Comex in 1977, Comex - The Conquest of the Ocean Depths magazine published on occasion of the firm's 20th anniversary and Alain Dunoyer de Segonzac's biography of Henri-Germain Delauze, founder of Comex, Un conquérant sous la Mer - Henri-Germain Delauze with the author's hand-written dedication to Jacqueline Schalit, presumably the editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest France until 2002.
Undeniably one of the most complete Comex ref. 5514 examples ever offered in public, the present watch furthermore impresses by its extremely original overall condition. The most notable feature is its well preserved "Maxi" dial, distinguished by the numerals of much larger size than in the civilian version of reference 5513. Over the years, the luminous material on numerals and hands has taken a charismatic ivory tone, further enhancing its appeal. The extreme conditions under which Comex watches were used often required servicing at Rolex which occasionally included a change of the dial, making those examples still retaining the original version, such as the present 5514, a rare find. Its case has evidently not been subject to careless polishing, underlined by the still well-defined fluting on the lugs and the clear engraving ROLEX COMEX 763 to the case back. Last but not least one should mention the contemporary Rolex Oyster bracelet reference 93150, the correct version for reference 5514.
Reference 5514 is among the rarest and most desirable of all Submariner models, made in an exceedingly small series and sold exclusively to COMEX. It was never available to the public and differs from the regular Submariner by a variety of features, most notably the helium escape valve on the right side of the case.
Highly desirable due to their small production numbers and the fact that they have never been available to the public, examples in such wonderful original condition as the present COMEX 5514, in addition accompanied by a variety of Comex Cx Pro diving equipment, all rarities by themselves, are amongst the most charismatic and fascinating trophies in today's collectors market.
Examples of Rolex COMEX references 5513 and 5514 are illustrated and described in 100 Years of Rolex, 1908-2008 by Franca and Guido Mondani, p. 131. and Rolex Submariner Story by Franca & Guido Mondani and Lele Ravagnani, p. 69, as well as on the cover of the latter.
Undeniably one of the most complete Comex ref. 5514 examples ever offered in public, the present watch furthermore impresses by its extremely original overall condition. The most notable feature is its well preserved "Maxi" dial, distinguished by the numerals of much larger size than in the civilian version of reference 5513. Over the years, the luminous material on numerals and hands has taken a charismatic ivory tone, further enhancing its appeal. The extreme conditions under which Comex watches were used often required servicing at Rolex which occasionally included a change of the dial, making those examples still retaining the original version, such as the present 5514, a rare find. Its case has evidently not been subject to careless polishing, underlined by the still well-defined fluting on the lugs and the clear engraving ROLEX COMEX 763 to the case back. Last but not least one should mention the contemporary Rolex Oyster bracelet reference 93150, the correct version for reference 5514.
Reference 5514 is among the rarest and most desirable of all Submariner models, made in an exceedingly small series and sold exclusively to COMEX. It was never available to the public and differs from the regular Submariner by a variety of features, most notably the helium escape valve on the right side of the case.
Highly desirable due to their small production numbers and the fact that they have never been available to the public, examples in such wonderful original condition as the present COMEX 5514, in addition accompanied by a variety of Comex Cx Pro diving equipment, all rarities by themselves, are amongst the most charismatic and fascinating trophies in today's collectors market.
Examples of Rolex COMEX references 5513 and 5514 are illustrated and described in 100 Years of Rolex, 1908-2008 by Franca and Guido Mondani, p. 131. and Rolex Submariner Story by Franca & Guido Mondani and Lele Ravagnani, p. 69, as well as on the cover of the latter.