Why did Rolex stop making COMEX models?

[Daytonaman799]

I was wondering why the watch association with COMEX ceased. I know that the Deepsea and possibly other models are tested in machines made by COMEX. However, why are COMEX divers no longer issued COMEX dialed watches? The last batch was made in 2008 with 16610's and 16600's. What are the theories?

[bcmind]

My guess is that the dive computer technology advance so much, there is no use for dive watch...

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[watervolf]

Originally Posted by Daytonaman799

I was wondering why the watch association with COMEX ceased. I know that the Deepsea and possibly other models are tested in machines made by COMEX. However, why are COMEX divers no longer issued COMEX dialed watches? The last batch was made in 2008 with 16610's and 16600's. What are the theories?

The theory is that's because there are no more Comex divers in the business. Comex doesn't exist anymore as a commercial diving company... They are more in the robots industry nowadays. Especially ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicles). See the website Comex. Almost all the Comex divers (I used to be part of the team) from this era got retired. I'm still in the business though, working with divers from another company.
And also ex Comex divers still in activity for other companies keep their Rolex in a safe place rather than taking risks losing it at work... That's for the story ;)

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watervolf

The theory is that's because there are no more Comex divers in the business. Comex doesn't exist anymore as a commercial diving company... They are more in the robots industry nowadays. Especially ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicles). See the website Comex. Almost all the Comex divers (I used to be part of the team) from this era got retired. I'm still in the business though, working with divers from another company.
And also ex Comex divers still in activity for other companies keep their Rolex in a safe place rather than taking risks losing it at work... That's for the story ;)

Interesting info, thank you and welcome to the forum

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by watervolf

The theory is that's because there are no more Comex divers in the business. Comex doesn't exist anymore as a commercial diving company... They are more in the robots industry nowadays. Especially ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicles). See the website Comex. Almost all the Comex divers (I used to be part of the team) from this era got retired. I'm still in the business though, working with divers from another company.
And also ex Comex divers still in activity for other companies keep their Rolex in a safe place rather than taking risks losing it at work... That's for the story ;)

Welcome to TRF

I bet you have some very cool stories of your work with COMEX

[elcoyoote92]

i agree, the robot killed the spirit. But also the business changed, they had hard time in the end of 80's. And the lost of the founder Henri Delauze had big impact.
Comex isn't dead but diving isn't the core business, seems to be more on hyperbar technology.

[nick c]

I also like them IMG_0991.JPG


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[elcoyoote92]

the 16610 was only to reward the divers, not for diving purpose.
if you have 2 i guess you have be been well rewarded

[THC]

So thirty years later they would be priceless

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by nick c

I also like them Attachment 893652


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Good Lord!!

[Nav01L]

Probably the same reason Panerai stopped making watches for ConSubIn. The respective customer just didn't order watches anymore.

[nick c]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Good Lord!!

[ajas]

Been working in offshore oil industry for almost 20 years. Every pro diver use dive computer. Tick tack watch is archaism in this job.

Times when Theo Mavrostomos achieved a record simulated dive of 701 metres are long time gone as this days every deep water ( over 100 m ) work is done by ROV.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by nick c

I also like them Attachment 893652


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Nice comex.

Clearly you don't need that Franken on the left. I'll trade you my LVc for it. Help you out

[watervolf]

Originally Posted by ajas

Been working in offshore oil industry for almost 20 years. Every pro diver use dive computer. Tick tack watch is archaism in this job.

Times when Theo Mavrostomos achieved a record simulated dive of 701 metres are long time gone as this days every deep water ( over 100 m ) work is done by ROV.

Been in the industry for about 35 years, I agree that tic tac watches are from stone age but I just love them (it's all about generation, pretty sure about that ;)

I used to work also with Theo when I was in Comex. Such a great guy !

And frankly most of the divers that I'm working with don't even bother wearing a diving watch or whatever dive computer since they are working with umbilical and everything is monitored from the surface...

I prefer to work with my Pelagos which is IMHO nicer than these cold dive computers (again a matter of generation... ;)

Agree that ROV's are great devices, even above 100 m

[GradyPhilpott]

Very interesting thread.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by nick c

I also like them Attachment 893652


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Holy Smoly Nick