Rolex

•  cal. 1570 nickel lever automatic movement, 26 jewels • black matte dial, luminous triangular, dot and baton indexes, luminous Mercedes hour hand, centre seconds, aperture for date • Oyster case, revolving black bezel calibrated for 60 units, gas escape valve to the band, screw-down crown with protective shoulders, screw-down back engraved Rolex Patent Oyster Gas Escape Valve with COMEX issue n°2249 • case, dial and movement signed • stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and flip lock folding clasp  

The movement is running while cataloguing, however it may require a service in the near future to be well preserved. The dial is in good condition. Case with a few scuffs to the bezel and very small dents to the band and case back. Ref. n°1665 matching inside case back, serial n° 6675759 matching inside case back. Comex issue no. 2249. Important notice regarding importation of Rolex watches into the United States: Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the USA because US law restrict the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale.
"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."

COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) is a company specialised in underwater engineering for the oil industry based in Marseille. In 1972, COMEX divers used the Rolex Sea-Dweller in a world record-setting simulated dive which took them down to 2000 feet for one hour and a half. The watch performed so well that COMEX decided to use only Rolex diving watches and chronometers in their work. In June 1972, divers Alain Jourde and Claude Bourdier again went down to 2000 feet, in an experimentation which lasted 28 days. The divers remained at the lowest point, 2000 feet under sea level (610 meters), for 50 hours, a record-breaking feat, while wearing Rolex Sea-Dweller watches. At 2000 feet, the atmosphere contains a high percentage of helium gas, which can penetrate even a water-tight watch case. The gas cannot escape quickly enough upon resurfacing, and as the outside pressure decreases, the pressure remaining inside the watch due to the built-up gas can cause the watch to explode. The Rolex Sea-Dweller watch is fitted with a special helium valve, allowing the gas to escape quickly during decompression. The watches made by Rolex for the Comex company bear the word "Comex" on the dial. According to our research, about 300 examples of the Sea-Dweller reference 1665 with gas escape valve were supplied from the late 1960's until the early 1980's to COMEX.