OVERVIEW

Whenever I come across a vintage Rolex Sub that looks like this one, I like to imagine it having spent its life on the wrist of someone with the most amazing stories.  With this particular watch, the true story of its owner is more thrilling and heartbreaking than my imagination could ever come up with.

This Rolex 5514 was presented to Elmer Dupuis in March 1976 as a token of appreciation for his leadership and actions aboard the semi-submersible, column-stabilized drilling rig Deep Sea Driller (later known as Byford Dolphin).

Elmer was the rig manager and worked closely with the divers, providing guidance and instruction for the dangerous work being carried out beneath the surface of the North Sea. The rig had operated successfully for two years before disaster struck in March 1976 while being towed offshore to Bergen, Norway for routine maintenance. In brutal, hurricane-like weather, the tow vessels proved underpowered for the conditions. After suffering major engine issues, the boats were forced to disconnect their tow lines, leaving the rig adrift until it grounded.

With roughly 50 crew members stranded, the men gathered on the helicopter pad awaiting rescue by Sea King helicopters that never came. The incident became the first recorded offshore rig disaster in the North Sea and ultimately led to significant new safety regulations for offshore operations.

At around 2 a.m., under Elmer’s instruction, the crew attempted evacuation by TEMPSC fiberglass lifeboat. It was a desperate move in impossible conditions especially because only 44 of the 50 crew could fit inside with the hatch closed.  Elmer’s son, Wayne Dupuis, recalled his father speaking about that night and the terrible choices he was forced to make: “I had to make a decision to lock the hatch on the lifeboat to save the lives and secure the safety of those who were inside. It was a terrible moment, when I had to tell the six remaining men on top that they would have to ride out the God damn ride to hell.”  Unfortunately, all 6 of the crew on top of the lifeboat died.

17 of the crew inside of the lifeboat also sustained injuries and Elmer himself spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from serious knee injuries from the wreck. Remarkably, according to his family, he did not appear to suffer the same long-term mental anguish that haunted several other members of the crew in the years that followed. Today, there is a monument marking the place where the men died and where the survivors were ultimately rescued.

Because of his actions that night, and in recognition of more than two years of service, Elmer was awarded this Rolex through a joint gesture from the French oil company Elf Oil and COMEX. It’s a watch tied not just to a career, but to one of the defining early tragedies of North Sea offshore drilling — a disaster that predated the infamous 1983 Byford Dolphin diving bell accident.

And like the best honest tool watches, Elmer didn’t tuck it away in a drawer. He wore this 5514 every single day for the rest of his life. Through years in the offshore oil industry, through work that took him across places like Australia, Nigeria, Libya, the Congo, Northern Canada, and Newfoundland, this watch stayed on his wrist doing exactly what it was built to do.  Despite its heavily worn case, the dial, hands & movement being in perfect condition is a testament to why Rolex is the most revered tool watch brand.

By all accounts, this was a watch worn by true oil patch guy — tough, capable, adventurous, and completely committed to the work. He eventually passed from cancer, but remained true to form right to the end. This isn’t just a Rolex 5514 — it’s a watch that was earned. A real-deal working man’s Sub, worn hard by a man who lived one hell of a life.

CONDITION NOTES

CASE: Worn, thick & honest. Minor wear on the corner tips of the inside of the lugs from the bracelet endlinks being loose but the bracelet has since been tightened. Kissing 40 bezel insert is in excellent condition considering the circumstances and has faded to a beautiful charcoal grey.

DIAL & HANDS: Absolutely perfect dial with no blemishes. Very warm creamy light yellow lume. Excellent handset with matching patina and original lume.

MOVEMENT: Running well and has been well taken care of over its lifetime. Could use a service soon and I’d be happy to take care of that before delivery.