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Lot Essay
As part of the historic collaboration between Rolex and COMEX, a limited number of watches were fitted with the distinctive 'COMEX' signature on the dial. The final reference to feature this marking was the Sea-Dweller reference 16600, such as the present example.
Introduced in 1988 and produced until 2008, the reference 16600 was adopted by COMEX from 1992 onwards. According to research, batch numbers 3200 to 3400, or about 200 examples with the 'COMEX' logo, were produced between 1992 and 1997. These timepieces were distributed for use in the HYDRA - LUDION missions 1 and 2, which were groundbreaking underwater programs investigating deep-diving methods utilizing hydrogen rather than helium.
The present timepiece is of particular interest, its issue number 3553 falling outside the generally accepted production range for COMEX-signed reference 16600 models. Preserved with its original factory stickers, it is very possibly among the last Sea-Dweller timepieces delivered to COMEX, reportedly as late as 2007.
COMEX
Henri-Germain Delauze founded COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise), a Marseille-based company, in 1961, and it went on to become a global leader in saturation diving and deep-sea engineering for the oil industry. Its partnership with Rolex represents one of the most important collaborations between industrial innovation and horology.
Rolex created specially designed timepieces with the patented helium escape valve, which enables trapped gases to safely exit the case during decompression, in order to withstand the harsh conditions faced by professional divers. COMEX received a number of references over time, including the Submariner and Sea-Dweller models, each of which was modified to meet changing technical specifications.
Produced in small quantities and issued exclusively to COMEX divers, these watches were never commercially available. Combining exceptional technical capability with direct professional provenance, Rolex COMEX timepieces are today regarded among the most desirable and historically significant tool watches.
Introduced in 1988 and produced until 2008, the reference 16600 was adopted by COMEX from 1992 onwards. According to research, batch numbers 3200 to 3400, or about 200 examples with the 'COMEX' logo, were produced between 1992 and 1997. These timepieces were distributed for use in the HYDRA - LUDION missions 1 and 2, which were groundbreaking underwater programs investigating deep-diving methods utilizing hydrogen rather than helium.
The present timepiece is of particular interest, its issue number 3553 falling outside the generally accepted production range for COMEX-signed reference 16600 models. Preserved with its original factory stickers, it is very possibly among the last Sea-Dweller timepieces delivered to COMEX, reportedly as late as 2007.
COMEX
Henri-Germain Delauze founded COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise), a Marseille-based company, in 1961, and it went on to become a global leader in saturation diving and deep-sea engineering for the oil industry. Its partnership with Rolex represents one of the most important collaborations between industrial innovation and horology.
Rolex created specially designed timepieces with the patented helium escape valve, which enables trapped gases to safely exit the case during decompression, in order to withstand the harsh conditions faced by professional divers. COMEX received a number of references over time, including the Submariner and Sea-Dweller models, each of which was modified to meet changing technical specifications.
Produced in small quantities and issued exclusively to COMEX divers, these watches were never commercially available. Combining exceptional technical capability with direct professional provenance, Rolex COMEX timepieces are today regarded among the most desirable and historically significant tool watches.