Rolex

The emergence and subsequent progression of scuba diving in industry during the 60s and 70s called for very specially designed equipment. Watches in particular played a significant role in the undertakings of professional divers and were thus tools and relied upon heavily. This new demand for precision timepieces that could tolerate the stresses of prolonged deep water submersion sparked a period of significant innovation within the major Swiss manufactures, keen to capitalise on a fresh and growing market.

The Comex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 was made between 1977 and 1981. This reference has a boldly printed Comex logo above the Sea-Dweller signature and the watches were given to working divers.

In June 1972, the divers Alain Jourde and Claude Bourdier again went down to 2000 feet, in an experimentation which lasted 28 days. The divers remained at the lowest point, 2000 feet under sea level (610 meters), for 50 hours, a record-breaking feat, while wearing Rolex Sea-Dweller watches. At 2000 feet, there is a high percentage of helium gas, which can penetrate even a water-tight watch case. The gas cannot escape quickly enough upon resurfacing, and as the outside pressure decreases, the pressure remaining inside the watch due to the built-up gas can cause the watch to explode. The Rolex Sea-Dweller watch is fitted with a special helium valve, allowing the gas to escape quickly during decompression.

According to our research, about 300 examples of the Sea-Dweller reference 1665 with gas escape valve were supplied from the late 1960's until the early 1980's to COMEX. Additionally, the watch is accompanied by a letter from Rolex detailing the issue of the watch to COMEX on the 1^st of August 1981, from H N Hudson General Manager of Rolex UK.