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

[watchingvinage]

Originally Posted by 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

Very detailed. Probably one of the best answers!

[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

[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

[Alain Stachler]

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

Hi Milton, Mine is exactly the same, No 139 at the back. I have it since 1979. I had another one prior to this but I left it with Comex Fareast when I left. 139 was given to me by Marseille.
Unfortunately it stopped tickling and there is no Comex agent over here. The nearest one is in Port Vlla in Vanuatu. It will have to waite until I travel to OZ or to EE...

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by Alain Stachler

Hi Milton, Mine is exactly the same, No 139 at the back. I have it since 1979. I had another one prior to this but I left it with Comex Fareast when I left. 139 was given to me by Marseille.
Unfortunately it stopped tickling and there is no Comex agent over here. The nearest one is in Port Vlla in Vanuatu. It will have to waite until I travel to OZ or to EE...

Bonjour Alain,

Thanks for posting. You will realise that you have a very interesting and significantly valuable watch, of course. The ones with Comex logo on the dial sadly recognise even higher prices, but you still have a little treasure. I'm sure many of us would love to see some pictures of yours or to hear a little more of your own / the watch's diving history.

Don't ask me how, but I expect your watch's unique case number (between the lugs at the six o'clock end, hidden by the bracelet) ends in xxxxx67, yes?

In any event, please do not have any work carried out by anyone, even a Rolex main agent or service centre, without refering back here so that we may just help you avoid any pitfalls that can catch the unwary.

I suspect that we will know a few figures in common from the world of professional diving in those decades!

KRs,

Haywood Milton, UK

[964RS]

Originally Posted by Alain Stachler

Hi Milton, Mine is exactly the same, No 139 at the back. I have it since 1979. I had another one prior to this but I left it with Comex Fareast when I left. 139 was given to me by Marseille.
Unfortunately it stopped tickling and there is no Comex agent over here. The nearest one is in Port Vlla in Vanuatu. It will have to waite until I travel to OZ or to EE...

Looks like 139 is up for sale.....

http://www.network54.com/Forum/20767...ref.5514+Comex

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Bonjour Alain,

Thanks for posting. You will realise that you have a very interesting and significantly valuable watch, of course. The ones with Comex logo on the dial sadly recognise even higher prices, but you still have a little treasure. I'm sure many of us would love to see some pictures of yours or to hear a little more of your own / the watch's diving history.

Don't ask me how, but I expect your watch's unique case number (between the lugs at the six o'clock end, hidden by the bracelet) ends in xxxxx67, yes?

In any event, please do not have any work carried out by anyone, even a Rolex main agent or service centre, without refering back here so that we may just help you avoid any pitfalls that can catch the unwary.

I suspect that we will know a few figures in common from the world of professional diving in those decades!

KRs,

Haywood Milton, UK

But doesn't end in xxxx67....

[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

[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

[Palermo]

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

NOW THATS A WATCH!!!

Can't even bring myself to ask just how much it would take to get a watch like that!

[WJGESQ]

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

What do these sell for these days?

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

What do these sell for these days?

Each will be unique in condition, history, completeness etc, but £50,000 might be in the ball-park . . . if you can find someone willing to sell.

[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

[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.

[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/

[okthenor]

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

[Garywebster]

Originally Posted by okthenor

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

Just the best

[mike]

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

[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..

[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.

[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