Vintage
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.
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:
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
The Rolex Submariner reference 5513 is a notable example within the Submariner line, distinguished by its two-line dial and lack of a date complication. Produced for an extended period, it represents a core offering for collectors seeking a straightforward and robust tool watch. Its design emphasizes legibility and functionality, aligning with the original purpose of the Submariner series. This reference is recognized for its consistent aesthetic throughout its production run, with subtle variations in dial text and bezel inserts.
The watch features a 40mm stainless steel Oyster case, offering durability and water resistance suitable for its intended use. Powering the reference 5513 is the automatic Caliber 1520 movement, known for its reliability. The crystal is acrylic, contributing to the vintage character of the watch. The unidirectional rotating bezel, typically with an aluminum insert, allows for elapsed time measurement.
For collectors, the reference 5513 is a significant model due to its long production history and the various dial iterations, such as gilt and matte dials, which present distinct collecting opportunities. Its appeal lies in its foundational design and its position as a non-date Submariner, making it a desirable piece for those who appreciate the model's original form. The watch is often paired with an Oyster bracelet, completing its functional aesthetic.
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
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 !
....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.
...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 !!
...cause a very heavy attack of sellers remorse! Beautiful she is without make-up! Enjoy her in good health, Jeff!
a watch with real history is all we can dream of. only a true collector can appreciate the value. Bill
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