Rolex Submariner 5513 COMEX Review
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Rolex Submariner 5513 COMEX Review

By DrStrong · Feb 18, 2015 · 18 replies
DrStrong
WPS member · Rolex forum
18 replies15179 views6 photos
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DrStrong's insightful review delves into the Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 COMEX, a watch born from the demanding world of saturation diving in the late 1960s. This article explores the unique collaboration between Rolex and COMEX, a French professional dive company, highlighting the technical innovations that led to the development of 'ultra water-resistant' timepieces for deep-sea exploration. DrStrong's work provides a historical lens on how these specialized tool watches evolved, eventually paving the way for the iconic Sea-Dweller.

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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”.The genesis of these watches 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). To maintain a pressure identical to that underwater, the mixture in the hyperbaric chambers remained the same during the different phases of work and rest periods. This system was designed to eliminate the need to depressurize the chamber after each phase of work.

Before returning to free air, and depending on the depth attained, a period of depressurization was necessary to equalize the internal and external tension of the human organism. Though the process of depressurization is slow, the gas that accumulated inside the watch, having no means to escape fast enough, exploded the crystal off the watch, thereby risking injury to those inside the chamber and severely damaging an expensive watch.

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 development and delivery of this unique reference evolved from a modified ref. 5513 to the final ref. 5514 with big case back numbers, circa 1975. The 5513 can be found in a number of iterations:

·         The earliest ref. 5513 COMEX watches that have surfaced circa 1969/70 have non-HEV cases, non-logo dials and case backs which are engraved ‘Rolex Comex.’ The serial number engraved inside the case back matches the serial number between the lugs at 6 o’clock.

 

·         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.

It is believed that approximately one third of the original issued ref. 5513 COMEX watches had a matt logo dial and very few have survived, thus making the ref. 5513 with the original COMEX logo dial configuration one of the rarest COMEX watches to exist (estimates have been made in the region of 50-60 watches in total).

The watch presented here is the archetype of the 5513 Comex, with its non logo dial and small delivery number.

 








It comes with a letter from the diver, telling the story of the watch. Of course this is a key feature for such a watch, because the glorious past of the timepiece is exactly what makes it desirable.


The most amazing thing is when such an incredible watch not only a rare piece and a “big soul”…but also a beauty queen !




Source: wikipedia, Worth Point, Ginault.com

This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2015-02-18 00:27:56 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2015-02-23 23:46:51

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
BI
Bill
Feb 18, 2015
Always a pleasure to read more and more on the comex

The history from the divers always bring the watches to another level. The diver who owned my comex gave some great pictures and stories to accompany the watch. Thanks Bill

DR
DrStrong
Feb 18, 2015
History...

I have pretty much stuff with my 1665 also....but that does not compare to what I got from the diver when I bought my 5514 !

BA
Baron - Mr Red
Feb 18, 2015
I think it is an aspect of Rolex that is almost unique....

....because the watches were tool watches, that meant they were "used" and that usage was often colourful and interesting. It just didn't happen with many other manufacturers in the same volume. Sure, Omega, Hamilton, JLC, Blancpain.....all of them had their tool uses, but not in the same volume as Rolex and that is why there seems to be so much history attached. Fascinating review, Jeff.

DR
DrStrong
Feb 18, 2015
Joe...

...I am prepapring a review of a Rolex Submariner and an Omega Ploprof that I have bought from a couple of retired divers (husband and wife). Both watches have a crazy history and lots of documentation. That was the teaser of the day...LOL !!

BI
Bill
Feb 18, 2015
that is the best... nothing needs to said

a watch with real history is all we can dream of. only a true collector can appreciate the value. Bill

MI
Mike1066
Feb 23, 2015
Great Post

Jeff: Great post. Always interesting to learn more about COMEX and the iconic watches that accompanied those divers. Enjoy that watch - it is something special! -Mike

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