Would you trade a COMEX 16600 for a Patek 5990?

[Daytonaman799]

I think I have the opportunity to trade a COMEX 16600 for a 5990? Does this make sense?

[subtona]

That is an interesting proposition.


The comex is a truly collectible watch with amazing history and likely a fantastic upside with future collectors

But

All the things that make the comex special also present concerns.

A bit of damage can impact the value greatly, as such can it be worn regularly

How long will Rolex service it, will you have to resort to only independents?
Is it a tritium dial? If so won’t Rolex try to destroy it?

If you are a collector / watch dealer maybe i would lean Toward keeping it?
If you are a regular guy with a small collection that likes to wear his watches, I would lean toward selling or trading it.

You can wear the snot out of a modern patek and unlike the rolex there won’t come a time when patek turns away your watch from service regardless of age.


All said as much as I like the 5990, it’s a bit over the top and cluttered for me. Would prefer a 5711.

[Cleveland Rocks]

It’s an emotional decision, and only you can ultimately determine if the trade makes sense for you. The Comex is unquestionably highly collectible, and if you are in fact a collector, you’d be justified in holding on to what would be very difficult to find again.

Functionally, the modern Patek wins out. On paper, I’d make the trade. Easy for me to say, my emotions aren’t in the mix.

[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 :)

[Kingranch]

No.

[Daytonaman799]

Originally Posted by subtona

That is an interesting proposition.


The comex is a truly collectible watch with amazing history and likely a fantastic upside with future collectors

But

All the things that make the comex special also present concerns.

A bit of damage can impact the value greatly, as such can it be worn regularly?
The water resistance can come into question
It cannot be serviced by Rolex, only independents

If you are a collector / watch dealer maybe i would lean Toward keeping it?
If you are a regular guy with a small collection that likes to wear his watches, I would lean toward selling or trading it.

You can wear the snot out of a modern patek and unlike the rolex there won’t come a time when patek turns away your watch from service regardless of age.


All said as much as I like the 5990, it’s a bit over the top and cluttered for me. Would prefer a 5711.

Rolex will service and has serviced my watch. So that’s not a factor.

[hutch300]

It would help to know what is in your collection. You could always get a 16600 that isn't a Comex.

[Setarip]

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 all day long ^^

The Patek is a great watch, but has become the go to piece for PE partners and hedge funders celebrating a big year.

That Comex is unique and very special.

Good luck.


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[Vince M.]

I would take the Patek in a second ! If someone is offering, Id jump at it !

[Daytonaman799]

Originally Posted by hutch300

It would help to know what is in your collection. You could always get a 16600 that isn't a Comex.

I have a 16600, an SD 43, two SAS Explorer II’s, a 118206, a 116520 black, a PP 5726 white, a PP5712, a lapis 18238, a VC RG manual wind dress watch, a 1980’s two tone Santos, a 1980’s Tudor lollipop blue sub, a PepC jubilee, a 6240 Panda Daytona

[hutch300]

Now that I know you have a pretty great collection, in no way would I chase the PP and give up on the Comex. Way cooler, less hype sure, but I think you'd regret it after the honeymoon wears off. Think long and hard selling something hard (almost impossible) to replace.

[7enderbender]

Given your fantastic collection I would keep the Comex. You already have some very relevant Patel pieces in the same vain.
The 16600 is one of my favorite watches and having a Comex in addition to a regular one is special in my view. And I’m usually not a fan of branded dials and such. This one has direct significance.

[joe100]

No one will remember the guy wearing the Patek, everyone will remember the guy with the COMEX.

[CanPam]

No.

Enjoy the Comex.

[Polar Bear]

Depends on your collecting strategy and mindset
Its a bit of a "History vs Hype" conundrum

I consider the 5990 to be a superior watch in almost every way, excluding historical significance and collectability.
I would make that trade in a heart beat

The downside is, you're likely giving up your spot as "the coolest guy in the room" at every watch meet up you go to, though

The COMEX brings with it a great deal of historical significance, so there's that, but to me, its just an old Sea Dweller with an interesting dial in it (I'm not much for Vintage pieces) where the Patek is an end game piece for a lot of people.

[logo]

Originally Posted by subtona

That is an interesting proposition.


The comex is a truly collectible watch with amazing history and likely a fantastic upside with future collectors

But

All the things that make the comex special also present concerns.

A bit of damage can impact the value greatly, as such can it be worn regularly

How long will Rolex service it, will you have to resort to only independents?
Is it a tritium dial? If so won’t Rolex try to destroy it?

If you are a collector / watch dealer maybe i would lean Toward keeping it?
If you are a regular guy with a small collection that likes to wear his watches, I would lean toward selling or trading it.

You can wear the snot out of a modern patek and unlike the rolex there won’t come a time when patek turns away your watch from service regardless of age.


All said as much as I like the 5990, it’s a bit over the top and cluttered for me. Would prefer a 5711.

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Depends on your collecting strategy and mindset
Its a bit of a "History vs Hype" conundrum

I consider the 5990 to be a superior watch in almost every way, excluding historical significance and collectability.
I would make that trade in a heart beat

The downside is, you're likely giving up your spot as "the coolest guy in the room" at every watch meet up you go to, though

The COMEX brings with it a great deal of historical significance, so there's that, but to me, its just an old Sea Dweller with an interesting dial in it (I'm not much for Vintage pieces) where the Patek is an end game piece for a lot of people.

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.

[Bxtek]

For me, no way. Comex is too special of a watch, and I suspect you will regret it later on. If you really want a 5990, I would try to add one to your collection. That's a very impressive collection you have, and it would be a real shame to remove the Comex from it!

[Mike G]

A big NO!

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Daytonaman799

I think I have the opportunity to trade a COMEX 16600 for a 5990? Does this make sense?

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.

[Andad]

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

The Comex is a Comex.

[Easy E]

Don’t do it.

[Gab27]

IMHO, no. To me, that is trading something that is incredibly difficult to replace with very significant historical value for something that is commonplace, in comparison, IMO.

Further, depending on condition, isn't the value of the COMEX 16600 potentially (much) higher than the Patek? (although I imagine placing an exact value on it is not an easy task)

[SS Oyster]

What are their relative values? Didn’t the 5990 just drop $400k in value? I bet the COMEX didn’t.


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[fooey]

Noooo

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[Rushne]

Huh.... a lot more NO's than I would have thought.

I know the history of Comex Subs but have absolutely no interest in vintage.

So from my view its a yes but this is such a personal decision that I think everyone's opinion should be taken with a grain of salt.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by Daytonaman799

I think I have the opportunity to trade a COMEX 16600 for a 5990? Does this make sense?

Interesting thread.

Reading your first post made me wonder ‘why’?

Then you posted about the rest of your collection, and I’m thinking ‘WHY’?

The 5990 is a gorgeous piece. Do you need it? You didn’t say why you want it…

so, I’m more interested in the Comex.

Just coming back to your first post it seems you’re quite cool about the idea of the swap and it doesn’t seem like you have a particularly emotional bond to the Comex.

Is it just the rarity and value that attracts you to it? Owning one and knowing you can get a regular 16600 for a fraction of the cost are you doubting the value of a dial and case back?

I’m guessing you already made the decision to sell the Comex and the Patek is kind of an option.

Probably last one to two years the big Geneva auctions would be the no-brainer but ?now some doubts.

I’d do that trade though. Owned a vintage Rolex that turned out to be rare and valuable and, ew, not a game for me.

[1675-David]

No, never, not in a million years.

[Trailboss516]

In a second. The comex doesn't do anything for me

[Wildy]

It basically comes down to what you value more, the emotional value of the Comex and the kudos that comes to owning it. The bottom line is it is just a sea dweller, compared to a much more refined and more quality watch of the Patek. You’re in a win/win. Either watch is one of most collectors grail’s.

[mountainjogger]

No.