ROLEX | COMEX SUBMARINER, REFERENCE 5514 A STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, CIRCA 1975

Dial: black Calibre: cal. 1520 automatic, 26 jewels Case: stainless steel, screw down case back engraved 345Case number: 3’804’926 Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp Size: 39 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 182 mm Signed: case, dial and movementAccessories: Rolex additional 93150 Oyster bracelet and folding clasp

The movement is in working condition at the time of cataloguing. The dial is very attractive. The lumes have aged to a pumpkin like colour and are consistent with each other. The dial with very light spotting and with moisture marks throughout the minute track between 4 and 8 o'clock. The hands are tarnished. The case with light polishing and wear throughout which is consistent with age. The case back with light surface wear throughout. The issue number 345 can still be seen at the bottom of the case back. The case back with a crisp milled edge. The numbers between the lugs are crisp and easy to read. The inside of the case back with the case number repeated and stamped I.72.The original bracelet with surface wear throughout. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense. Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band. Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.
"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."

Specialised Diving and Military Watches Few pieces capture the attention of Rolex collectors quite so fiercely as those created in collaboration with specialist institutions such as COMEX or the Royal Navy. Indeed in both industries watches capable of withstanding the extreme environments divers were so frequently subject to were essential tools and heavily relied upon. It is little surprise then that Rolex collaborated with the British Royal Navy and COMEX worked together to produce such instruments, and it is to this category that the following lots belong.  

Widely recognized as the pioneers of commercial diving, COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) was established in 1961 by Henri Germain Delauze, the same man who helmed the company for over 50 years until his death in 2012. It is understood that they took delivery of both Submariner and SeaDweller models in the 70s and 80s and are usually distinguished with the COMEX name on the dial and numbering to the case back.

While many watch making companies have worked to provide timepieces for military personnel, the wristwatches made by Rolex especially for the British Royal Navy are unsurpassed in their desirability. It is understood that in the region of 1200 watches in total were produced, and, somewhat understandably given the environment in which they required to perform, many were lost or destroyed. It is then fair to say that they represent some of the rarest examples of the specific references produced. Always marked with an encircled T to the dial and military arrow and numbers to the case back, they are also often distinguished by several characteristics which, depending on the reference, either should or should not be present.

勞力士與法國深海打撈公司COMEX等專業機構或英國皇家海軍合作開發的錶款，比起一般牌子錶款更能勾起藏家的興趣。無論是深潛探險還是海事軍用，潛水員都要面對極端壓力，能夠承受高壓環境的腕錶可謂潛水員不可或缺的器材。不出所料，勞力士終於與英國皇家海軍及COMEX合力研製潛水腕錶，以下的拍品正是雙方合作的心血結晶。

亨利・卓曼・德洛茲（Henri Germain Delauze）在1961年創辦商業潛水界先驅COMEX，並於往後50年為公司掌舵，直至2012年與世長辭。他們參考了七、八十年代的「Submariner」和「Sea Dweller」腕錶，並分別在錶盤和錶背蓋印上COMEX字樣和編號。

很多製錶品牌都曾參與製作軍用腕錶，特別是為英國皇家海軍特製的勞力士，在市場上一直備受藏家青睞。這些腕錶共約生產了1200枚，經過年月的洗禮，大多已遺失或損壞，使某些型號變得非常罕有。這些腕錶的錶盤總是印有一個圓型圈起的T字，錶背刻有英國軍隊的箭頭標記和編號，不同型號各有特色。

The Rolex Comex reference 5514 along with the military submariner reference 5513/5517 are both very important submariners to Rolex's history as well as being very important for Rolex collectors.

The present watch is a very rare non Comex dial reference 5514, as the case back is not only engraved with the words Rolex and Comex, but as also its batch number "345". This inscription is now very light as the watch was professionally used for diving for more than 10 years in the Louisiana Gulf.

With a very well-proportioned case and nicely aged pumpkin-like luminous plots and hands, the present watch has all the factors making this a very collectible piece.