Rolex

• cal. 1556 automatic nickel lever movement, 26 jewels, mono-metallic balance, adjusted to 5 positions and temperature • Rolex Comex dial with luminescent triangular, dot and baton numerals, centre seconds, luminescent Mercedes-style hands, Comex printing • stainless steel Oyster case with screw down back and crown with protective shoulders, patented gas relief valve in the band at 9 o'clock, black bezel calibrated for 60 units, case back engraved with the Rolex Comex logo and numbered 928 • case, dial and movement signed • with a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp

The present lot is offered for sale by a former Comex diver who joined the company in 1981 and received the watch the same year. Although the watch as been used during most of the owner's dives, it remains in remarkably good condition.

Great example of the Comex submariner. Automatic movement running while cataloguing. Dial is in very attractive and original overall condition. Case with light scuffs from wear. Case back numbered 928, inside case back numbered 5513, serial number 5228413, between the lugs 5514. A rare example in good overall condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by the Diver's Certificate of Competence for Comex.

Comex (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) was founded in 1961, in Marseille, at a time when industrial deep-sea diving did not yet exist. Very soon, however, Comex promoted new technology and became a pioneer in deep sea diving operations for the offshore oil industry. Today, Comex has over 2000 employees and 800 divers located all over the world. At the end of the 1960s, Comex asked Rolex to create a watch that could sustain high pressure in deep waters as the compressed and saturated air began causing a built-up of pressure in the standard Submariner cases destroying its mechanism. Rolex rapidly came up with a patented solution by installing a one-way pressure relief valve on the side of the watch case, beside the 9 o'clock position, that allowed the release of helium from the case. At first, the gas escape valve was featured on special Reference 5513 models, however, the model was re-named Reference 5514.