Would you trade a COMEX 16600 for a Patek 5990?

[domi1]

no mate, your Comex is the REAL GRAIL!

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

No.

I mean, I’d love the followup thread about a terrible trade but no. The Patek is gorgeous but it’s also knowingly market manipulated. The Comex was made in small numbers due to its small specialized need at the time.

Only with one is the scarcity and price really naturally justified.

Chewie is completely on the money there.

Obviously it depends what's important to you. The 5990 is absolutely gorgeous, and if it was up against pretty much anything else, I'd be saying go for the PP in a shot. However, in the grand scheme of things it's just another watch, whereas the Comex pieces are genuinely rare and have a history that's unparalleled.

[theflywrist]

Heck no! Unless the comex does nothing for you, you dont wear it, you dont love it, I would never make that trade.
Put a budget to hunt a comex and a 5990 and which do we think we would find faster?

You know this already but let me remind you, money is often not enough to buy a quality vintage rolex with history, you'd have to find the right example for you that is available to the market. A 5990 can be bought any day through any dealer anywhere in the world.
I love both, but the comex is far more special IMO, and even if we want to speak value (which I suppose matters at that price point), it is very obvious which one has more intrinsic value here IMO.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by logo

Agree with these posters, this is the conundrum - one that extrapolates to basically any collectors decision to buy vintage vs new. No right or wrong, but difficult nonetheless.

This is where I land on it as well.

No right or wrong answer, and a nice problem to have

[1William]

I would do it.

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by Andad

Based on your current colection the 5990 is just another watch.

The Comex is a Comex.

This.

[minute_man]

Negative!

[enjoythemusic]

Trading a rare piece of history for a mass-produced modern bit?

Hard no, unless the trade also means your COMEX piece goes into permanent display within a museum for all to see and enjoy.

[FrankNYC]

Unless I worked for COMEX and the watch was given to me by management and it is a piece that reminds me of great times/camaraderie, etc. I had with the company and my coworkers then I would most definitely do the trade.

The comex to me is just a 1970s SD with the word “COMEX” printed on it. Personally I would not pay a premium for it (just like I would not pay a premium for a Tiffany dial).

[Mystro]

This is more of a question of what modern watch would be equivalent to the Comex. The answers is nothing. We are well beyond $$$$ value and all about historical significance.

[danwang0520]

If you have boxes & papers with your Comex, I personally would not make the trade....

[NachoNeal]

No way. It's like owning a little piece of art and history.

[Crown & Shield]

Originally Posted by JDA0779

I would say NO, and a Big No, irrespective of the time you have had the Comex. If you are really attached with it then hell NO. :)
You can get a Patek anytime u want, and even 10/20/30 years down the line or in your family it would just be a new age Patek but COMEX is a legit historical piece and very difficult to acquire as it is( full set with all correct dated things ).
Hope this helps :)

This

[bp1000]

Surprising result.

We are literally talking about text on a dial, possibly given to mainly office staff and not seeing service.

There is nothing technically special or rare about the 16600 underneath (an early pre SD prototype might change my mind)

The watch, its complications, design or accomplishments certainly beats extra printing for me at this stage in my watch collecting journey. I'd do the trade and probably look for a nice 5513 to go alongside.

[Baiv]

No, no chance

[bali]

Don't do it

[diver2012]

I don't like that Patek - but would I trade for a watch of the same value I did like - yes I would.

[Shadow Play]

It’s a definite “NO” from me.

[subtona]

thinking about it a bit more.

as others have said the sea dweller is truly collectable with I understand 200 pieces being made and few to market.

still I see neither the sea dweller or the 5990 as watches I would want to wear on a day to day basis... maybe if the offer was for something equally as collectible with the bonus of wearability?

fp journ early tourbilon.
patek 5950 come to mind.

[Dr. Robert]

No, non, nyet, nein!

[Vince M.]

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

Unless I worked for COMEX and the watch was given to me by management and it is a piece that reminds me of great times/camaraderie, etc. I had with the company and my coworkers then I would most definitely do the trade.

The comex to me is just a 1970s SD with the word “COMEX” printed on it. Personally I would not pay a premium for it (just like I would not pay a premium for a Tiffany dial).

100% agreeance.

[mykii]

It's collectability vs. a better watch.

Do you use your watch as an investment, or as a watch?

If you want to wear it, I'd do the trade.

If you keep the COMEX in a draw or safe due to the investment value, and you only care about money, then I'd keep the COMEX.

Personally, I'd keep the COMEX if there is some kind of personal connection to the watch. If there is none, I'd do the trade.

PP is in a different league to Rolex and that will never change.

[Seo]

Wow what an interesting thread. For me the 5990 is a grail for me and I would swap for it in a heart beat. I do not understand the value of the comex text but it appears that it is very important. I’ll go read up on it.

[jinikari01]

So many "NO." I'd say "YES."

[huncho]

i don't really see how you would regularly wear that rolex because it's so rare and valuable and every little scratch or dent will significantly ruin it. think this just comes down to the investment aspect. would you rather keep the comex knowing it's actually rare or do you trade for a watch you'll enjoy wearing possibly every day

personally i'd pick the latter but i just don't know if nows the right time to do it. i don't follow vintage prices but a lot of current models are still sitting on huge premiums so the trade might blow up in your face in the coming months

[Driver8]

IMO the interesting thing about this thread is that it really shows the changing profile of the average Rolex buyer. I bet if this question was asked 10, or maybe even 5 years ago on a dedicated Rolex forum such as this, and a Comex Sub was pitted against whatever the comparable PP 5990 of the day was, I bet it would’ve been more like 90% against the trade, instead of the approx 50/50 we’re seeing today.

I’m not saying one viewpoint is necessarily better than the other, but the world of Comex Rolex watches is actually incredibly niche and specialised that’s very rewarding for those who take the time to immerse themselves in it. Once you learn a bit about them, they become far more than “just a standard SD with 5 letters painted on the dial”. I’ve read quite widely about them over the years, but sadly I’ve missed the boat for ever owning one as I refuse to pay the crazy prices they go for these days.

Personally (as I said in post 32) I’d never do the trade… even though functionally the 5990 is by far the better watch and one that I’d take over almost any other watch around today.

[MrMercedes]

not in 1000 years!!!

[Drand]

It's a NO from me

[DoctorsOrders]

Depends what else is in your collection, I would hold onto the comex as its much rarer as has a unique story.

[NachoNeal]

A lot of vociferous nos. But the poll is almost 50\50.