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Rolex

comex 5514

 

Hi, i am an ex-Comex diver starting '74 Nigeria (before'65/72 petty officer, clearance /combat diver Belgian Navy ( one training both specialities).Back to the '70 as far as I know no one was interested in Comex watches we just used it like any toll ! .On some riggs two or more of this watches were just kept in a drawer,open to all divers.Since most of dives were conducted and had surface  communication assistance (umbilical lone dive,open bell and of course saturation) we really didn't need the watch BUT we had one probably more usefull on the surface than down there ! The importance of number ,5513,5514 or later type was unknow to us ! in fact most of the guys preffered the last new models ! so that's why most of the old divers are no watch experts at all ,certainly not me,but i still have my 5514.Rarety ! yes they are ,i can't remenber how many i've seen lost ? the best one  happened when ??? diver surfaced after a short intervention dive , took off his gear ,washed his hands and watch in a bucket and while giving report ......forgot the watch in the bucket and ....YES cleared the dirty soapwater with the Rolex overboard ! one less !! 

  Oh!  one question :why case back number is parcial hidden when shown on forum pictures or by dealers ? 

 

           

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31 Comments view entire thread 

Rolex and Comex

 
By: DrStrong : July 1st, 2009-04:37
COMEX is a French diving company founded in 1961 by H.G. Delauze to explore the depths of the oceans: it is the NASA of the deep sea …. At that time, Yuri Gagarine was travelling around the earth at 300 km of altitude, but none dared to travel over 70 m u...  

Another excellent post, Jeff

 
By: amanico : July 1st, 2009-04:55
I love the Comex letter where it is written that the sale of this watch is strictly prohibited! When we see Rolex Comex watches for sale... Nice to see all of them in a post, and to have their story. So, what Comex do you consider as the rarest? The 1680 ... 

Rarity is not everything....

 
By: DrStrong : July 1st, 2009-07:07
I prefer a 5514 or 5513 with HEV to a 1680...to me thay have more Comex DNA. And yes, the engraving is very deep: here a 1665 (photo Eric Ku)...  

Agree, Jeff

 
By: amanico : July 1st, 2009-07:18
I, too, prefer the 5513 / 5514, because of the lack of magnyfier. But if I asled, it was because some " romantic " dealers pretended that the 5513 or 14 was the rarest of the Comex... Best, Nicolas

rarest

 
By: info92 : July 2nd, 2009-09:37
I think the rarest might be the 5514 [Email address suppressed for privacy]

Luv It !

 
By: flamenco : July 1st, 2009-05:04
Thanks for the highly informative and educational post. Always wondered about Comex Rollies. Now I finally know.

great write up !

 
By: Ryan5446 : July 1st, 2009-09:04
As a fan of the 1665, had a "trashed" Comex 1665 in my hands recently... Although the watch showed severe use, I had problems taking my eyes of it !!! Something magical / "mythical" about them. It is nice to see them all together. I also read somewhere th... 

Nice line-up...(small correction)

 
By: DDW : July 1st, 2009-14:33
Have to add small correction to the 1665 series Comex watches; the last generation of these 1665 (post 1980) were delivered orginally with the 610meter dial, not as a replacement dial as you state. So 610 meter dials are only obviously replacement when fo... 

I know this theory...

 
By: DrStrong : July 2nd, 2009-00:47
but as far as I know there is no proof that any 1665 Comex originally came with a 610m dial, as even Rolex Geneva does not know. That's why all 610m dials are usually considered as replacement. Cheers Jeff This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2009-... 

who knows ?

 
By: info92 : July 2nd, 2009-09:47
I agree sometimes even Rolex Geneva can give any correct answer ie. "How many 5514 where delivered ? ok they know (i don't) but when it comes to give the case back numbers and corresponding batchs..they don't know ?? or don't like to tell ?? [Email addres... 

1665 with 610 is correct.....

 
By: bullibeer : July 4th, 2009-00:53
But only for a really small batch Jeff..... only the real last ones! So it's if on a correct batch real, real rare...... but most collectors prefer the 600 dial.... as it is a dial special made for Comex... no other 1665 had the 600 depth on the dial.

Thanks, Jeff!

 
By: dxboon : July 2nd, 2009-00:27
These are cool watches! Rolex certainly has a great history of supporting oceanic exploration. I love that about them. Cheers, Daos

Great post Jeff!!!! THANKS!!!!... and some more information....

 
By: bullibeer : July 4th, 2009-01:50
Great post Jeff..... and important to show even more some of the background... as still some people think the Comex watches are display watches... LOGO-DIAL for promotion... and do not understand the importance and history of it... and role for the histor...  

comex 5514

 
By: info92 : July 4th, 2009-03:36
Hi, i am an ex-Comex diver starting '74 Nigeria (before'65/72 petty officer, clearance /combat diver Belgian Navy ( one training both specialities).Back to the '70 as far as I know no one was interested in Comex watches we just used it like any toll ! .On... 

Very interesting reading, Info 92

 
By: amanico : July 4th, 2009-04:47
Thanks a lot for having taen the time to share with us your experience and view on Comex watches, and to bring us back to Reality. Yes, I guess that at this moment, a watch was a watch, a tool for missions and for life. I loved your story about the diver ... 

Thanks a lot, Bernhard

 
By: amanico : July 4th, 2009-04:49
You're indeed a lucky guy! Very nicely written, my friend. Best, Nicolas

Right my friend !

 
By: DrStrong : July 5th, 2009-02:53
not only watches, but an extreme human challenge and extraordinary people. I've had the opportunity to meet Theo Mavrostomos last year, he lives in Marseille. What a unique person... walking on water ! This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2009-07-0...  

The rarest.....

 
By: bullibeer : July 4th, 2009-05:59
Next to the references above... there are some of the watches that have been used during the record-breaking dives .... they are real rare... and well i guess you know what it might mean to the price..;-)) Well...... and then the question...... The rarest... 

H.G.Delhauze

 
By: info92 : July 4th, 2009-09:50
His watch ? he has nearly the whole collection.