Lot Essay
'A hydrogen diver just can't survive without his Rolex' - Henri-Germain Delauze
The present timepiece is a striking example of the rare reference 16800 made for Comex. Preserved in splendid overall condition, it is assembled with a stainless steel case of strong proportions. The case is correctly engraved Rolex Comex on the caseback, the serial number is also repeated inside the caseback.
The present lot is furthermore delivered with an undated Guarantee, under water anchor, sales tags, card holder, product literature, Comex decompression tables, Comex diving suit with mask, presentation box and outer packaging. According to research only 300 pieces were made between 1982 until 1986.
COMEX
Founded in 1961 in Marseille by Henri-Germain Delauze, Comex or Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise pioneered in professional diving in the commercial field, requiring tool watches designed for conducting safe diving operations at greater depths, known as saturation diving. The successful collaboration between Comex and Rolex started in the early 1970s when all divers were progressively equipped with watches especially made for Comex: the improved "Submariner" model meeting the most stringent technical and professional demands of the professional deep-sea diver. Over the years, the watches featuring the legendary Comex name have undergone major technological innovations, the most famous still today remaining the gas escape valve, a crucial feature on diver's watches.
Reference 16800
In 1979 Rolex launched the new Submariner 16800 featuring an updated sapphire crystal with a redesigned unidirectional bezel, quick release date function, and improved nominal depth from 200 meters to 300. The model remained in production until 1988 with the first examples featuring a matte dial and luminous indexes, while later watches featured a glossy dial with luminous indexes in white gold.
The present timepiece is a striking example of the rare reference 16800 made for Comex. Preserved in splendid overall condition, it is assembled with a stainless steel case of strong proportions. The case is correctly engraved Rolex Comex on the caseback, the serial number is also repeated inside the caseback.
The present lot is furthermore delivered with an undated Guarantee, under water anchor, sales tags, card holder, product literature, Comex decompression tables, Comex diving suit with mask, presentation box and outer packaging. According to research only 300 pieces were made between 1982 until 1986.
COMEX
Founded in 1961 in Marseille by Henri-Germain Delauze, Comex or Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise pioneered in professional diving in the commercial field, requiring tool watches designed for conducting safe diving operations at greater depths, known as saturation diving. The successful collaboration between Comex and Rolex started in the early 1970s when all divers were progressively equipped with watches especially made for Comex: the improved "Submariner" model meeting the most stringent technical and professional demands of the professional deep-sea diver. Over the years, the watches featuring the legendary Comex name have undergone major technological innovations, the most famous still today remaining the gas escape valve, a crucial feature on diver's watches.
Reference 16800
In 1979 Rolex launched the new Submariner 16800 featuring an updated sapphire crystal with a redesigned unidirectional bezel, quick release date function, and improved nominal depth from 200 meters to 300. The model remained in production until 1988 with the first examples featuring a matte dial and luminous indexes, while later watches featured a glossy dial with luminous indexes in white gold.