Rolex The Comex ref. 1665
| Model: | Rolex, Submariner |
| Year of issue: | 1977 |
| Reference number: | 1665 |
| Condition: | mint |
| Status: | available |
| Dealer country: | Monaco |
| Dealer name: | Corrado Mattarelli |
| Price in EUR € | On request |
Description
Outstanding and extremely rare steel Rolex COMEX Submariner Ref. 1665, manufactured in 1977. First released in 1967, the Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 is the very first serially produced dive watch with an advanced helium gas escape valve designed in collaboration with COMEX, first appearing in ref. 5514 specially made for COMEX. Featuring for the first time a date function, reference 1665 represents a milestone of the firm as the innovative valve enormously increased the depth rating. The Helium gas escape valve was fitted into the cases at 9 o’clock position: its function was to release the gas pressure and prevent the watch to burst during the divers’ resurfacing and decompression. The present example features the rare “Rail dial” configuration which was only produced from 1977 to 1979 and it is recognizable by the “C” of Chronometer perfectly aligned with the “C” of Certified below, with its depth rating in italic fonts. Furthermore, it is the only ref. 1665 with a “SWISS-T<25” dial. Between 1976 and 1981, 300 examples of reference 1665 were issued to COMEX with the issue number starting from 2000 to 2300 engraved on the caseback. Examples from this specific batch featured a serial number starting from 5.14 million to 6.76 million. The earliest ones - like the present specimen - featured the rare dial configuration with a depth rating of 600 meters instead of the 610 meters of the regular commercial examples. The casebacks were all deep milled with their corresponding issue numbers with some examples featuring the COMEX logo and other an arched Rolex logo flanked by two coronets. Only some examples - as the present one - were inscribed with their serial number inside the caseback. The present example is preserved in incredibly original and wonderful condition: it definitely is one of the best specimen ever appeared. The dial features the unmistakable and legendary COMEX logo and the rare 600-meter depth rating. The deep ivory tone of the indexes greatly increases its impact and charisma. The case is absolutely untouched and the outside case back is engraved “ROLEX COMEX “ and features the issue number. The legendary reference 1665 COMEX definitely represents one of the rarest and sought-after dive watch ever made. Case n: 5175xxx Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520 Diameter: 39 mm Box & Papers: none Manufactured in 1977