Got a rarity in the shop today! Diver porn inside!

[ecain63]

Came in for a full refurb as it's being handed down to the owners next generation.

[kazste]

That is fantastic so many questions, is the wear from the company diver and if so is this being retained?
Its kind of like a road worn guitar and imo is all the better for the wear.

[yeti]

Big fan of vintage Rolex here... but I have never understood the COMEX hype! I know what it is, I know what money it's worth and so on and but I still don't get it! A painted company logo on the dial is all I see. Yes I have a Double Red but it was the first of the Sea-Dwellers, the 'Submariner 2000'. This is just a company logo.

Was it diver issued or office issued? Diver issued is way cooler of course, but a diving watch worn by a diver... well, whatever next!

What are you doing to it Eddie? Dial looks in great shape; are those service luminova hands?

[ecain63]

kazste said:

That is fantastic so many questions, is the wear from the company diver and if so is this being retained?
Its kind of like a road worn guitar and imo is all the better for the wear.

The wear is most definitely work related. I can't say too much about the owner but he was part of the UKSF dive team at Poole back in the day and then moved on to commercial, high risk, exploratory dive work. He has a mil spec (Tritium dial) 5513 also.

[ecain63]

yeti said:

Big fan of vintage Rolex here... but I have never understood the COMEX hype! I know what it is, I know what money it's worth and so on and but I still don't get it! A painted company logo on the dial is all I see. Yes I have a Double Red but it was the first of the Sea-Dwellers, the 'Submariner 2000'. This is just a company logo.

Was it diver issued or office issued? Diver issued is way cooler of course, but a diving watch worn by a diver... well, whatever next!

What are you doing to it Eddie? Dial looks in great shape; are those service luminova hands?

As above Yeti. A well earned watch, not just an office issue item like the RN Submariners that get signed out of storage by Submarine Commanding Officers prior to deployment under the waves.

It's had a lot of work over the years by various AD's and indies. The Dial is the original but hasn't always been fitted. To keep it fresh the dial was replaced with a standard one for its work life. The hands i don't think are original, they are Rolex issue though, but he's not bothered. Its a tool and not a decorative item.

Me? I'm giving it the full works. I prefer it battered and bruised but as his son is only young he'd rather it be returned to it's original glory. The case will get a rebulid including some metal work and new bezel insert. The b'let needs a new clasp. Needs new pins all round and ive got to source an original plexi / mineral. The movement was serviced very recently so ive not got to go there, which is a good thing for me (time scale).

Eddie

[it'salivejim]

I love these COMEX, especially seeing that only about 300 were ever made.

Check out this forum thread:

http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic...

Looking forward to seeing the finished results

[ecain63]

it'salivejim said:

I love these COMEX, especially seeing that only about 300 were ever made.

Check out this forum thread:

http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?showtopic...

Looking forward to seeing the finished results

yeah, the COMEX Dweller is a nice bit of kit. Not sure how many Comex Subs there were though.

[dom9]

I was just talking to my watchmaker last night about Comex divers when I went to pick my GMT II up from it's service.

Rolex service/ warranty cards are rubbish, by the way, as a side note!

Anyway, he knows the guy who wore and owned the Comex that was used for the (trying to remember) 1974 world record depth dive.

That guy also bought the watch that was worn by the other guy in the bell, on that dive.

Apparently he sold the two, together, at auction for something over (trying to remember) $200k about 4 years ago to a Japanese collector.

I don't 'get them', either. I have a few ex-Comex mates (I'm in oil and gas, ex-McDermott etc) who are kicking themselves now for not buying their $1,500 Subs!

They have great provenance/ history if you can prove they were on a really deep dive with you but who cares?! Obviously some do but it seems odd to me.

[yeti]

ecain63 said:

The wear is most definitely work related. I can't say too much about the owner but he was part of the UKSF dive team at Poole back in the day and then moved on to commercial, high risk, exploratory dive work. He has a mil spec (Tritium dial) 5513 also.

The Mil Sub fever I understand...

Sounds an interesting fella for sure

[pastrana72]

I prefer a rolex with a history and battle scars.

I do understand the interest in milsubs and comex watches, the values are crazy but collectors like the hard to get watches, so demand always outstrip supply so the values will rocket for now.

Cool watch to pass on to his son, that will be worth far more than its market value.

Could we see the pictures after you work your magic please.

[marcosgt]

I wouldn't pay extra for the COMEX branding either (in fact, I think it detracts from the watch), but whatever floats folks boat, I guess

M.

[yeti]

pastrana72 said:

Could we see the pictures after you work your magic please.

+1

Definitely

[Lost soul]

ecain63 said:

As above Yeti. A well earned watch, not just an office issue item like the RN Submariners that get signed out of storage by Submarine Commanding Officers prior to deployment under the waves.

You don't think the Sub commanders earn the watch ??

[ecain63]

Lost soul said:

You don't think the Sub commanders earn the watch ??

Nope. Its only a gimmick for them to sign out for patrols. Before you ask.......yes I do know what I'm talking about. My dad did 35 years on bombers and I did 10 years in the Marines so know a little about shiney gizzets for those in command.