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Lot Essay
'A hydrogen diver just can't survive without his Rolex' - Henri-Germain Delauze
Part of an Important Private Collection, the present timepiece is a striking example of the rare reference 5513 made for Comex, the present wristwatch impresses with its splendid overall condition. The very rare and well preserved dial displays an attractively discolored luminous material and is assembled with a stainless steel case of strong proportions. Furthermore, the present early reference 5513 features not only a Helium Escape Valve but it is correctly engraved Rolex Comex on the caseback, the three last digits of the serial number are also repeated inside the caseback.
It is thought that most likely less than a third reference 5513 supplied to Comex was originally equipped with the Comex logo on the dial.
The present lot is furthermore delivered with the Rolex UK confirmation, letter dated 20 May 2008, signed Harry Thomson, Diving & Hyperbaric advisor, and copies from his diving logbook. Mr. Thomson confirms having received the present watch in March 1976 from Bernard Dubano, at the time trials manager at Comex. In his letter, Mr. Thomson also explains his career and experiences as a diver.
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.
Part of an Important Private Collection, the present timepiece is a striking example of the rare reference 5513 made for Comex, the present wristwatch impresses with its splendid overall condition. The very rare and well preserved dial displays an attractively discolored luminous material and is assembled with a stainless steel case of strong proportions. Furthermore, the present early reference 5513 features not only a Helium Escape Valve but it is correctly engraved Rolex Comex on the caseback, the three last digits of the serial number are also repeated inside the caseback.
It is thought that most likely less than a third reference 5513 supplied to Comex was originally equipped with the Comex logo on the dial.
The present lot is furthermore delivered with the Rolex UK confirmation, letter dated 20 May 2008, signed Harry Thomson, Diving & Hyperbaric advisor, and copies from his diving logbook. Mr. Thomson confirms having received the present watch in March 1976 from Bernard Dubano, at the time trials manager at Comex. In his letter, Mr. Thomson also explains his career and experiences as a diver.
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.