A Rolex Comex Submariner watch, circa 1972, is to lead Fellows' October 14 sale of Vintage and Modern Wrist Watches in Birmingham, UK.
The watch, which carries an estimate of £18,000-25,000 ($28,700-39,858), was the result of a collaboration between Rolex and Comex - a French dive company.
 The rarity of the watch justifies its high estimate |
The watch represents an early stage in the development of the Seadweller - a pioneering diving watch that features a helium escape valve.
The Submariner features the valve but not the Comex logo, which appeared on the dial in later watches. A limited number were presented to employees of the company, and rarely come to auction.
A similar example sold for $60,000 ($95,660) at Antiquorum in New York in 2008.
A number of other watches from Rolex feature at the auction, including a platinum automatic lady's Oyster and a stainless steel gentleman's Submariner, dating to 2000 and 1984 respectively, both valued at £10,000-15,000 ($15,943-23,915).
An 18k white gold gentleman's Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is another highlight, expected to bring £9,000-12,000 ($14,349-19,132).
Other brands at the auction include Patek Phillipe, represented by an 18k gold quartz Jumbo Beta 21.
 The watch was produced in 1970 |
The watch was made during a time when the industry was transitioning from electronic to modern quartz watches and, with only 6,000 units ever produced, is both extremely rare and a highly desirable collector's piece.
We have this Longines Men's Olympic Series watch available to purchase.
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