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Lot Essay
On 19th January 2021, a new world record was set for the Rolex Submariner COMEX reference 16800 when the watch with issue number 6077 was sold in Monaco for 337,400 Euros. The present watch, slightly having the edge condition-wise, is the preceding watch with issue number 6076.
This most appealing early example of the rare ref. 16800 made for COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise), is preserved in very good, original overall condition. The matte dial in particular is intact, the lumes having gently and evenly aged to a perfect warm tone.
The transitional Submariner, reference 16800, was in production between 1982 and 1986. It differs from its predecessor 1680 by having a depth rating to 1000 ft (300 m), sapphire crystal, quick-set date function and the entirely new movement caliber 3035. Various important technical changes were made during this short production time: the stainless steel was upgraded from 306L to 904L, extremely resistant against oxidation and much harder. The dials of early models were matte and featured luminous indexes as in reference 1680, later generations were fitted with white gold borders around the luminous numerals.
The COMEX designation was featured on the outside of the screw back and on the dial. Part or the entire serial number was repeated to the inside of the case back, a feature only seen on this model and reference 5513 which was supplied to COMEX and to military forces.
The inside case back of the present watch bears reference 16800 and 7276728, the entire serial number. Furthermore the reverse of the dial is stamped 0121 149, the reference number attributed to dials used for ref. 16800 with COMEX signature.
COMEX
As of the late 1960s, Rolex supplied different Submariner models featuring the patented gas escape valve to the side to COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) in Marseille, a professional diving operation for the oil industry.
Watches supplied to Comex include following references:
Ref. 5513 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1971 - 1973
Ref. 5514 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1974 - 1977
Ref. 1665 Sea-Dweller, 200ft=600m: approx. 1977 - 1982
Ref. 1680 Submariner Date, 660ft=200m: approx. 1978 - 1979
Ref. 16600 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 2003
Ref. 16610 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1986 - 1997
Ref. 16660 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 1980 - 1984
Ref. 16800 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1982 - 1986
Ref. 168000 Submariner Date 1000ft=300 m: approx. 1988 - 1989
COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise), a professional diving operation for the oil industry was 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.
The watch with the ascending issue number to the present watch was sold: Artcurial Monte Carlo, 19th January 2021, lot 25, 337,400 Euros.
This most appealing early example of the rare ref. 16800 made for COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise), is preserved in very good, original overall condition. The matte dial in particular is intact, the lumes having gently and evenly aged to a perfect warm tone.
The transitional Submariner, reference 16800, was in production between 1982 and 1986. It differs from its predecessor 1680 by having a depth rating to 1000 ft (300 m), sapphire crystal, quick-set date function and the entirely new movement caliber 3035. Various important technical changes were made during this short production time: the stainless steel was upgraded from 306L to 904L, extremely resistant against oxidation and much harder. The dials of early models were matte and featured luminous indexes as in reference 1680, later generations were fitted with white gold borders around the luminous numerals.
The COMEX designation was featured on the outside of the screw back and on the dial. Part or the entire serial number was repeated to the inside of the case back, a feature only seen on this model and reference 5513 which was supplied to COMEX and to military forces.
The inside case back of the present watch bears reference 16800 and 7276728, the entire serial number. Furthermore the reverse of the dial is stamped 0121 149, the reference number attributed to dials used for ref. 16800 with COMEX signature.
COMEX
As of the late 1960s, Rolex supplied different Submariner models featuring the patented gas escape valve to the side to COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise) in Marseille, a professional diving operation for the oil industry.
Watches supplied to Comex include following references:
Ref. 5513 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1971 - 1973
Ref. 5514 Submariner 660ft=200m: approx. 1974 - 1977
Ref. 1665 Sea-Dweller, 200ft=600m: approx. 1977 - 1982
Ref. 1680 Submariner Date, 660ft=200m: approx. 1978 - 1979
Ref. 16600 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 2003
Ref. 16610 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1986 - 1997
Ref. 16660 Sea-Dweller 4000ft=1220m: approx. 1980 - 1984
Ref. 16800 Submariner Date 1000ft=300m: approx. 1982 - 1986
Ref. 168000 Submariner Date 1000ft=300 m: approx. 1988 - 1989
COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertise), a professional diving operation for the oil industry was 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.
The watch with the ascending issue number to the present watch was sold: Artcurial Monte Carlo, 19th January 2021, lot 25, 337,400 Euros.