British actor Jason Statham, star of hit franchises like The Expendables and Fast & Furious, is a watch collector par excellence. While he’s been known to wear a Patek Philippe Nautilus, his true passion is Rolex, with an emphasis on vintage Rolex watches rather than modern pieces that marks him as a true connoisseur.
One of the most bankable action heroes in the industry, Statham’s films have grossed over $8.5 billion worldwide. Married to aristocratic British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Statham’s on-screen skills are no mere smoke and mirrors; he has a black belt in karate and was once a member of Great Britain’s National Diving Team.
Given the latter credential, his interest in professionally-rated Rolex dive watches, such as this rare Rolex Submariner reference, makes them more than a mere fashion statement. And Statham, who competed for England in the 1990 Commonwealth Games, just added the ultimate dive watch to his already impressive collection from the Crown.
The Rare Rolex Submariner 5514 “Comex”
We’re talking about the Rolex Submariner 5514 Comex, highly prized by vintage Rolex collectors around the world, which Statham just wore to London Fashion Week. COMEX, which stands for Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises, is a French firm renowned for its underwater exploration and deep-diving operations. Founded in 1961, it is the holder of numerous diving world records.
COMEX holds the record for an open-sea commercial dive at 1,752 feet, as well as the record for a simulated deep-dive of 2,300 feet in a hyperbaric chamber. In 1970, Rolex and COMEX established a partnership in which the watchmaker supplied Submariner and Rolex Sea-Dweller watches in exchange for real-world testing data and analysis.
Here’s a look at the other pieces in Statham’s Rolex collection:
Explorer II 1655 “Steve McQueen”
In our opinion the super-cool, original Steve McQueen Rolex Explorer, produced from 1971-1985 and instantly recognizable by its orange 24-hour hand, is undervalued in the vintage market. Explorer models just don’t have the same recognition as Daytona, Submariner and GMT examples; but true enthusiasts like Statham know its worth.
Submariner 5513
Produced from 1962–1989, the 5513 is one of the most iconic Submariner references. Earlier versions are particularly coveted for the patina they develop. While Steve McQueen never actually wore an Explorer, he did wear a Rolex 5513, adding to its allure. Statham wore his 5513 in the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw.
Submariner 124060
The Rolex 124060 is a version of the iconic Submariner and is also a connoisseur’s piece – the famed “No Date” Sub. Many Rolex enthusiasts are devoted to this version of the ultimate dive watch because of its cleaner, more utilitarian look. It also harks back to the earliest Submariner watches before the date window debuted in 1969.
Daytona 6263 “Big Red” and 6241 “Paul Newman”
We’ve made no secret of our affinity for the “Big Red”, the coolest of the non-“Paul Newman” Rolex 6263 models from the 1970s; and Statham is one of several celebrities to have embraced it as well. Of course, being a comprehensive Rolex collector, he also has a “Paul Newman” Ref. 6241, one of the rarest Daytonas ever made.
GMT-Master II 16710 “Coke” and 116710 “Batman”
Once again Statham marks himself as a true Rolex enthusiast by selecting the “Rolex Coke” variant of the GMT-Master over the more common “Pepsi” colorway. The Coke, which dates from 1989-2005, paved the way for other variations on the “Pepsi” produced by Rolex in later years, including the “Rolex Batman,” which the brand debuted in 2013, and which Statham also owns.
A Collector with Timeless Taste
Jason Statham’s addition of the vintage Rolex Submariner 5514 “Comex” proves his appreciation goes far beyond celebrity trends. By choosing one of the rarest and most storied dive watches ever made, he continues to build a collection that reflects both his adventurous spirit and discerning taste in horology.
