Rolex 1665 COMEX: Brothers in Arms
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Rolex 1665 COMEX: Brothers in Arms

By DrStrong · Feb 10, 2016 · 17 replies
DrStrong
WPS member · Rolex forum
17 replies5926 views33 photos
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DrStrong's in-depth exploration of the Rolex 1665 COMEX 'Brothers in Arms' provides a compelling historical account of these specialized dive watches. His article highlights the critical role of COMEX in the development of the Sea-Dweller and the Helium Gas Escape Valve, offering collectors and enthusiasts a detailed look into the engineering and purpose behind these iconic references. This piece is a valuable resource for understanding the heritage of Rolex's professional diving instruments.

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During the late 1960s, commercial work in the oceans and seas created professional diving organizations that needed tool watches designed for conducting safe diving operations at greater depths – known as saturation diving.

This led to the development of the first ‘ultra water resistant’ watches. In collaboration with COMEX - a France-based professional dive company which is considered as the NASA of the sea - Rolex developed its “Submariner” model to meet the most stringent technical and professional demands of the professional deep-sea diver.


 

In the process, Rolex eventually produced a very different watch from the Submariner - the “Sea Dweller” – whose genesis has already been described on the forum:

rolex.watchprosite.com

rolex.watchprosite.com

COMEX divers not only needed solutions for water resistance at extreme depth, they also faced the danger of explosive decompression caused by helium penetrating the interior of the watch (divers breathed the mixture of oxygen and helium within their hyperbaric chamber after lengthy deep sea dives). Rolex collaborated with COMEX to develop a solution by installing a one-way pressure escape valve on the side of the watch case, at the nine o’clock position. The one-way valve will begin to equalize the pressure inside the watch when the difference between the exterior and interior of the watch exceeded 2.5 kg. per sq. cm.

 

The Helium Gas Escape Valve (HEV) was featured and tested on the Single Red and Double Red Patent Pending Submariner Sea-Dwellers, circa 1967-1969. Once the testing was successfully completed and Patent of the HEV approved, COMEX placed a special order with Rolex for the supply of a number of dive watches featuring the HEV; the first batch consisted of ten thin case Sea Dweller - for the top divers only - and Submariner. The ref. 5513 COMEX watches with HEV (an improved version introduced post Patent approval) that followed (circa 1972) were mostly produced with a small or medium sized issue number engraved on the case back and a plain matt non-logo dial. The following model was the same watch with only a special reference for Comex, the 5514.

After some years, the need for increased water resistance led to the delivery of an additional batch of Sea Dwellers




These watches were delivered to COMEX from 1977 to 1981, with pretty distinctive dials: compared to the regular 1665 dials, they have a 600m rating (instead of 610) and do not say “sea dweller”.

Here’s a close up of this very special dial, nicknamed the Pisani dial:




The COMEX numbers for these watches were in the range of 2000-2300 with only 300 delivered. The first 100 watches have a “double Red” type caseback, with the large straight “Rolex” engraving. That’s the very desirable “first serie”, the holy grail of Comex collectors.

Here’s a close up of a first serie caseback, in unpolished condition. Isn’t that a beautiful engraving ? 


 

Over the years, I was lucky enough to buy two of these watches from their first owners, two ex Comex divers. The two watches have quite similar stories: they were both delivered in the mid 1970’s and used intensively in underwater work, especially in Africa and the North Sea. I have bought these watches in raw condition, never touched up by any collector or dealer…that’s how a Comex should be and that's priceless IMHO !





 
The watches belonged to two good friends, who have worked together on some occasions. I got plenty of informations and documentation with the watches. Here are a couple of pictures taken in Gabon in 1976:








A great picture of one of the divers connecting oil pipes at a depth of 104m under the Sandokan barge:


 

Here are some more pictures of underwater work in Norway in 1979:





 

The timepieces definitely show scars from their extreme working conditions.

 




It’s a great feeling to have brought these two working mates back together after all these years. If they could speak, they would have amazing stories to tell !



 




This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2016-02-10 00:54:56

About the Rolex great white Ref. 1665

The Rolex Reference 1665, known as the "Great White," is a specific iteration within its model family. This particular reference is distinct from the Reference 1680, which the collector notes as a separate model undergoing a makeover.

This example features a case described as being in good condition. The movement is a caliber 1570. The dial is a servicedial with Luminova, marked as a Tritium dial.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking specific variations within the Rolex lineup. The presence of a servicedial with Luminova, marked as Tritium, is a notable characteristic for those interested in dial variations.

Specifications

Caliber
1570, 1575
Case
Stainless Steel
Diameter
40mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
610m (2000ft)
Crystal
Acrylic

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
AM
amanico
Feb 10, 2016
Bravo, Jeff, for having been able to add them to your collection.

Very impressive duo you got there. You can be proud. Best, Nicolas

GE
gensiulia
Feb 10, 2016
WOW Jeff!

Thanks for this reeeeally nice write up! just *.pdffed ciao

DR
DrStrong
Feb 10, 2016
My pleasure Chris

these kind of watches deserve full reviews, I know the Comex freaks like detailed stories ;-) Cheers my friend

GE
gensiulia
Feb 10, 2016
Yup!!!

Nice to see two beasts next to each other... and spot the difference on the casebacks 2000-2049 / 2050-2099 Thanks again! ciao

HS
hs111
Feb 10, 2016
What a great pictorial.. At such moments, the tides of time are touching us !.. Sincere Congrats to these eclectic marvels !.. :)) [nt]

DR
DrStrong
Feb 10, 2016
Thanks for your kind words Hans. Much appreciated [nt]

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