\u201cHe had to know how long he had been under the water and that was the only means by which he could do it,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Submariner, introduced in 1953 and the first watch engineered to be waterproof up to 100 meters, is widely considered one of the most important sports watches of all time. It had a rotating 60-minute bezel to help divers keep track of their time underwater, and was equipped with luminous material for readability at darker depths. Early scuba enthusiast (and Rolex board member) Ren\u00e9-Paul Jeanneret conceived of the idea for the model.<\/span><\/p>\nBarnett was involved in numerous dramatic rescue and recovery missions. While serving aboard the <\/span>HMS Hermes <\/span>on the Mediterranean Sea in 1967, Barnett contributed to recovery missions after two fatal aircraft accidents. On one occasion, he nearly drowned and had to be pulled from the water, covered in fuel, after attempting to free a trapped helicopter pilot, but was quickly back on duty.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Backside of the watch. Courtesy of TW Gaze.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Barnett\u2019s actions earned him a Commander-in-Chief\u2019s commendation. <\/span>After his time with the Royal Navy, he served with the Metropolitan Police until his retirement, and wore the same watch the rest of his life. Etched on the back are his name and that of his wife, Dawn.<\/span><\/p>\nThough the wristband on Barnett\u2019s example was replaced around 1980, Barnett held on to the original, and the timepiece comes with its original green leather box and paperwork. It was serviced only twice and has never been polished. <\/span><\/p>\nFollow Artnet News<\/a> on Facebook: <\/em>
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