ROLEX | COMEX SEA-DWELLER, REF 16600STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELETCIRCA 1998

Dial: black Calibre: cal. 3135 automatic, 31 jewels Movement number: 39'643'660 Case: stainless steel, screw-down back Case number: U139'751, 3379 Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp Dimensions: 40 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 195 mm Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: Rolex guarantee, booklets, bracelet tool, swing tag and presentation case

MVT: is running at the time of cataloguing and the date advancing. CASE: is in very good condition with sharp lugs and edges and distinct engravings. There is light surface wear visible to the bezel and case and there is missing luminous material to the dot at 12 o'clock on the bezel. The back is engraved with "COMEX" and the individual number "3379" as well as with a later inscription saying 'Theo Mavrostomos - Hydrax - 701 M'. The inside case back is stamped with reference 16600 and case number U139751. The bracelet bearing reference 93160 is in good condition with signs of use and light stretching. DIAL: is in great condition with very minute blemishes to the luminous material visible under magnification. Luminescence is still reacting, with the hands glowing slightly stronger than the indexes. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense. Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band. Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

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. Introduced in 1967, The Rolex Sea-Dweller was manufactured as an evolution of the Submariner reference 5513. The 5513, perhaps one of the most famous diving watches in Rolex’s repertoire, was unable to withstand excessive depths for long periods of time. As divers plunged ever deeper the then current technology was tested to its limits and new technologies had to be developed. Helium atoms represent the smallest naturally occurring particles of any gas and as such could breach the seals and seep into watch cases. The pressure difference caused by this was identified as the leading cause of breaks while decompressing after a dive. The Helium Escape Valve (HEV) was primarily introduced in the 60s and first appeared on Submariners before they were then adopted and solely used by the Sea-Dweller to release pressure caused by helium infiltration.

While these watches are rightly considered rare, what is rarer is an example so wonderfully and completely documented as the present lot. Issued to Thèo Mavrostomos in 1998, Mavrostomos was a revered deep sea diver, having worked with COMEX for 20 years. Awarded the French Order of Merit in 1997 for achieving a simulated ‘saturation’ dive of 701m during COMEX's Hydra X trials, Mavrostomos was used by Rolex as an ambassador of the brand, appearing in their adverts for the Sea Dweller. The case back has been inscribed to celebrate this tremendous event and the watch is still retaining all original accessories.

Comex (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) was founded in 1961, in Marseille, at a time when industrial deep-sea diving did not yet exist. Very soon, however, Comex promoted new technology and became a pioneer in deep sea diving operations for the offshore oil industry. Today, Comex has over 2000 employees and 800 divers located all over the world.