Comex

[MUCCI416]

Could the experts tell me all the diff model references with Comex on the dial.
Ive seen a bunch and was wondering which are the rarest and most sought after

[Haywood_Milton]

Let's get the ball rolling then :

Comex 5513 ( with helium escape valve )
Comex 5514
Comex 1665
Comex 1680
Comex 16660
Comex 16800
Comex 168000
Comex 16600
Comex 16610

You can then start dividing them into different dial versions, different batches of case number styles, presentation watches / professionally used watches........there's always another one you just have to be looking for......

Here's one of mine, a nice example because this is a 1665 with the unique 600m (rather than 610m) depth rating :



As a watch with a unique and logo-ed, original dial, used professionally and with dive-logs etc documenting the incredible work of its recipient, which can be provenanced further by the surviving delivery manifest from Rolex to Comex which specifies its case number and corresponding issue number, it is one of the most sought after models --- but not the rarest.

Piecing together the jigsaw of models and numbers is very satisfying; finding them is somewhat more difficult!

Haywood Milton

[MUCCI416]

Man that was a great reply...thanks for the info HM and nice COMEX RAIL

[Haywood_Milton]

Ones without logos can still be quite correct, original Comex watches: I enjoy this one, being one of the very earliest issue numbers. A 5513 with helium escape valve.


Haywood Milton

[Haywood_Milton]

One of my two ten-years-service presentation 16800s, this one with beautifully mellowed markers.



Look out for different versions of the dials on these.

Haywood Milton

[Haywood_Milton]

A very wearable 16600 under gloomy British skies last winter:



Haywood Milton

[Haywood_Milton]

If you aren't familiar with the sort of men and activities that render Comex and military issue Rolexes quite so special, over and above their unique physical differences from normal watches, you may find my post from December 2013 of mild interest:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=327534

You may wish to spend a penny before you start reading.

Haywood Milton

[gensiulia]

it's hard to say which is the rarest by definition, because there's a lot of small things you have to consider, firstly the caseback.
As for the reference, the 1680 Comex is probably more rare than others.

Cheers

[SearChart]

Fantastic info and pictures Mr Milton.

[Dries]

WOW great Comex collection

[johnbeth]

Awesome watches and thanks for sharing everyone!

[jedly1]

Originally Posted by MUCCI416

Could the experts tell me all the diff model references with Comex on the dial.
Ive seen a bunch and was wondering which are the rarest and most sought after

for as many years as i can remember ed's site has been the starting point for those trying to understand the basics of comex....its a good read and sets it out clearly.

http://www.doubleredseadweller.com/watch-info/comex/

[dcash0615]

Really nice!

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

One of my two ten-years-service presentation 16800s, this one with beautifully mellowed markers.



Look out for different versions of the dials on these.

Haywood Milton

[okthenor]

Its always a pleasure to get a glimpse of Mr. Milton's collection.

[mike]

I made this a sticky. Thank you for the fantastic information.

[Angrypuppy]

A couple quick questions to satisfy my curiosity not because I'm searching for a Comex watch.

Did they ever issue non lug hole 16600s to divers?

Did most divers leave the watch on the metal bracelet or did they switch to a NATO while diving?

Thank you. These are amazing watches and that thread in post seven of this thread is an amazing story. Reading it was a satisfying way to spend my Sunday morning.

[Chasseur]

Some no hole pics

[THC]

Originally Posted by mike

I made this a sticky. Thank you for the fantastic information.

This is the highest compliment on TRF... Like being a made guy..

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by Angrypuppy

A couple quick questions to satisfy my curiosity not because I'm searching for a Comex watch.

Did they ever issue non lug hole 16600s to divers?

Did most divers leave the watch on the metal bracelet or did they switch to a NATO while diving?

Thank you. These are amazing watches and that thread in post seven of this thread is an amazing story. Reading it was a satisfying way to spend my Sunday morning.

I've never known one switch voluntarily to a NATO-style nylon strap, no.

I think that some of the active divers did receive later 16600 T models (no lug holes) but most do indeed seem to turn up with only the lightest of wear such as they might pick up at a desk.....

The 16600 I showed above (with lug-holes) was issued and used professionally.

Here is the text of my original post :

"This N-series watch reached me with original 119-code papers, box, tags etc and with the usual provenance from an owner whose professional diving career followed the pattern typical of many in the UK. I won't detail further here as you might expect me to normally. It is what followed which amused me.

Perhaps using some of the skills he, ahem, learned in previous employment, he went into the Special Effects industry, where he worked at the highest level and to personal celebration on some of the greatest blockbusters of modern cinema. I now watch certain films listed in his imdb biography and at major, explosive moments wonder if this watch was on the hand pushing the detonator."



Haywood M

[The_Walrus]

I especially like the stories behind these watches.
Thank you Haywood for sharing

[Dismount]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

If you aren't familiar with the sort of men and activities that render Comex and military issue Rolexes quite so special, over and above their unique physical differences from normal watches, you may find my post from December 2013 of mild interest:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=327534

You may wish to spend a penny before you start reading.

Haywood Milton

Nice read, thanks for sharing.

[Dries]

Originally Posted by Chasseur

Some no hole pics

Great shots

[MUCCI416]

Thank you all so very much for all your info about the connection between Rolex & Comex over the years! I would have liked to thank you all sooner but my account had been un accessible to me because of a problem with my email. Happy New years to you and yours!
Cheers

[RKTudor]

Incredible info Milton (and others). Thank you so much.

[geimer]

Thank you all for your great posts, also for the former clearance diver and Hayward, it was a great read on Sunday morning!

[ChrisM]

I seem to remember one of these from years ago that had Comex INSTEAD of Rolex...the guy said they would report theirs as lost every so often to get new ones.
Just can't remember the dial....ring any bells anyone?

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Ones without logos can still be quite correct, original Comex watches: I enjoy this one, being one of the very earliest issue numbers. A 5513 with helium escape valve.


Haywood Milton

Haywood
OUTSTANDING replys and info - thanks

Just out of curiosity how you know this watch is COMEX?

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by GLADIATOR

Haywood
OUTSTANDING replys and info - thanks

Just out of curiosity how you know this watch is COMEX?

It has a helium escape valve, the case back is marked correctly with COMEX designation, it has a COMEX issue number (showing it to be from the very first 50 watches) and this corresponds as it should with the Rolex case number, which is within a well-documented batch.

The dial is correct for this variant and has some distinctive, albeit easily overlooked features.

Haywood Milton

[GLADIATOR]

Many thanks for taking time to explain it.
I have a wonderful collection of vintage watches, but I doubt the complete 100+ pieces would not by a COMEX

Regards
adam

[J!m]

Haywood- I searched and found this thread looking for info on the 16610 comex models. What I found was the link to that amazing story, which I read and thoroughly enjoyed.

But back to the initial reason for my search: do you have, or can you point me to, good information on the 16610 Comex subs?

Thanks again for the story, and in advance for the link/info.