Comex

[uncleluck]

Take it this was a nothing watch? Someone that worked their or a later gift?

[Haywood_Milton]

That Submariner at Fellows appears to have been correct and I bid a little less than the winning bid. It may have had a fascinating professional diving history, but there was no provenance with it.

Its dial was not brilliant and, with 27.6% buyer's commission on top, it was probably around the right money for a watch with non-logo dial in that condition.

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[Haywood_Milton]

While writing, I see that my original photos have now been blurred by Photobucket, RIP.

As they provided a reference that some found useful, I reproduce them here in the order in which they appeared on the thread.

1665 :



5513 with Helium Escape Valve :



16800 :



16600 "Indiana Jones" (a specific connection to this watch) :



My 1665 twins :



Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[uncleluck]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

That Submariner at Fellows appears to have been correct and I bid a little less than the winning bid. It may have had a fascinating professional diving history, but there was no provenance with it.

Its dial was not brilliant and, with 27.6% buyer's commission on top, it was probably around the right money for a watch with non-logo dial in that condition.

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

Ah right, thanks. I did wonder as knew I’d read before (probably from yourself) about non logo dials.

I thought the case back engraving looked nice and old so was assuming it was going to fly and when I saw the sale price I thought it maybe meant some uncertainty or perhaps it was nothing to do with Comex or maybe just an employee gift or something.

ps apologies for ‘their’ in my post. Funny how you read stuff back and think WTF did I write that for. Can’t edit it now but it was definitely auto spell rather than me being old

[Mcroft]

Hello forum

Hope you are all well. I found my dad's rolex in our store cupboard recently and wanted to ask if I could pick your brains.

Some photos are attached but as you can see it's a comex sub that I believe he would have acquired from his days flying helicopters from singapore to oil rigs in indonesia in the 1970s. Exactly how it came into his ownership is a mystery but I've read that comex did work inspecting and maintaining offshore oil platforms.

It's been a wonderful find and I will be bringing it back to the UK with me. In the meantime I'll give it a clean but have been told that I shouldn't polish the crystal or service it.

Is this true?

Many thanks

[hkbufga]

Thanks for information!

我從使用 Tapatalk 的 SM-N9700 發送

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by Mcroft

Hello forum

Hope you are all well. I found my dad's rolex in our store cupboard recently and wanted to ask if I could pick your brains.

Some photos are attached but as you can see it's a comex sub that I believe he would have acquired from his days flying helicopters from singapore to oil rigs in indonesia in the 1970s. Exactly how it came into his ownership is a mystery but I've read that comex did work inspecting and maintaining offshore oil platforms.

It's been a wonderful find and I will be bringing it back to the UK with me. In the meantime I'll give it a clean but have been told that I shouldn't polish the crystal or service it.

Is this true?

Many thanks

It's sensible advice. You'll be better placed when you've had someone familiar with Comex watches examine the watch.

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[capital]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

It's sensible advice. You'll be better placed when you've had someone familiar with Comex watches examine the watch.



Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

Just browsed through your IG. Mindblowing!! Congrats
Are these all yours? It would be great to read about your journey from start to now!

[bosevelt]

Very Cool!

[VincentG]

Mr Milton, what a treasure trove of pics and info on COMEX watches, astounding collection. Here is a pic of the only COMEX watch I ever owned, I never wore the watch even once since it was still asNIB when I purchased it. I noticed you have refrained from posting caseback pics so I will as well. I am thinking you might have known the gentleman I purchased the watch from, he was the owner of an upscale shoe store in Aix-en-Provance near Marseille and he had the largest collection of COMEX I had ever seen. This watch and several like it were sold when COMEX had been bought by a Norwegian diving company, if memory serves approx 2001-2. I sold this watch which going through a divorce in 2005. On my way back to Italy (where I was living at the time) with this watch I already had buyers remorse, I had traveled there to purchase a COMEX 1665 SD which had been sold just a day or so before I arrived. Of the other watches for sale a 5514 and a 1680 neither had COMEX dials, but I really liked their patina, the 5514 inside caseback was originally marked 5513 which had lines engraved through it and 5514 engraved underneath. That is the watch I wish that I had purchased while driving home, but in the end it did not matter as I would have sold it off as well, but it was a watch I could have worn while owning it. "safe queens" were never my thing. My personal opinion of the ultimate "grail" watch would be a toss up between a 5514 and a RN 5517. Neither is in my future unless my wife wins the lottery (i don't play it) lol. Awesome collection sir, hat is off to you.
Thank you,
Vince

[Zdenek]

That is a story I read years ago on a forum. I don't know if it is true, but it´s interesting story. Maybe you'll like it, too.

"He walked into the shop when I already about to close down. It was one of those slow winter days that
makes you want to take a holiday somewhere warm instead of getting out in the chilly drizzle.

He was wearing a very old but clean brown coat, its' collars dripping with rain. A wave of cold air, and
indeed darkness from the street, sneaked in with him, making me shiver.

'Good evening', he said and took of his hat. I was surprised at how grey his hair was.

'Good evening', I replied, 'How can I help you?'

He did not look like the antique shopping type, common here Only in summer. If anything, he looked like an antique Himself ? 65 maybe 70, although he could be even older. His hands were clutching his wrinkle felt hat, and I noticed They were slightly shaking.

He glanced around at the shelves filled with old brass plates, used silverware, china dishes and books. His eyes stopped for a moment at the stand where I had three or four old pocket watches, Which were lying there long enough for a good discount.

'I would like to sell a watch', he said, 'I hoped you would be interested.'

'A watch? We don't normally buy watches anymore I'm afraid. Not enough demand.'

'Oh dear!', he sounded very disappointed. 'I was hoping you could at least take a look. I don't really know where else to take it.'

He was right. The only other two shops in the town never Dealt with watches. The days when this town was an upscale Ski resort were long gone, and now it was down to a few Eccentric collectors that would pop in looking for an old map occasionally, or mid-age couples buying each other unusual Anniversary presents, to keep us in business.

Still there was something in this mans' appearance that Triggered my curiosity. Perhaps it was his face ? deeply wrinkled, yet with barely noticeable traces of past strains and endurance. His eyes were colourless and full of tired Sadness. He looked awkward and out of place.

'Okay', I said, 'Let's take a look at it. Maybe we can sort something out.'

His left hand reached into the pocket of his coat, and came Out with something wrapped in a handkerchief. He put it on The counter and unwrapped it, his hands shaking visibly.

It was a Rolex. A Submariner. Not in mint condition to say The least. The crystal had obvious scratches and a few bezel marks were worn off. The oyster bracelet had seen its' better days too, and was in a bad need for cleaning. What caught my attention though, was the dial of the Watch. Right below the hands, in a wide rectangle, it said COMEX.

'How long have you had this watch?' I asked the man.

'Thirty-five maybe forty years.'

'Did ' ,I paused inspecting the watch closer in my hands. 'Did you work for ''COMEX?

Yes. I was a surveillance diver'

'And you wore this watch on your dives?' I asked without much thinking, with the watch still in my hands. For the first time he looked straight into my eyes.

'This watch I owe my life to this watch.'

'I looked at him. He glanced at the watch, as if he reconsidering his decision to bring it to the shop.

'In the Gulf. The timer on the platform broke', he explained, 'If I hadn't it on my wrist, I would have
remained there, on the sea floor.'

I stood there, not knowing if I should ask he more questions. I read about the legendary COMEX
exploration dives, but never met anyone who risked their lives for oil discovery and in effect wrote the
rules of modern diving with their own blood.

'May I ask', I said hesitantly, 'Why are you selling this watch? I mean, obviously it is of great value for
you.'

'I wish I could afford a sentimental value,' he replied, ' but my life's memory is more important to me.' He must have noticed my puzzled look, 'It's for the monument. For her grave ' His voice trembled and I regretted ever asking him these questions. But as a salesman, I had to ask him the obligatory one.

'I am sorry Sir', I said, 'How much would you like for this watch?' I was no watch expert but I knew these were rare.

'Well I was hoping a few hundred ', he looked at me hesitantly, ' A thousand maybe?'

I realised he had no idea of the true value of his watch. I Knew it would fetch a lot from some collector but at the Time I had no clue what I would do with it. Selling it here Would be almost impossible. I sighed.

'I tell you what Sir,', I said, 'I'll give you three thousand for it.' Last thing I wanted to do was to rip him off.

Seeing him off with a check in his hand and happy tears In his eyes made my day, although I preferred not to think What I should do next.

It has been five years since that day Rolex COMEX is still In my possession. I never got myself to display it in the shop or post it on the internet. Instead, it is on my wrist ? a mute hero of another mans life."

[capital]

Thanks for sharing!
Where does the story come from?

Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk

[Zdenek]

Originally Posted by capital

Thanks for sharing!
Where does the story come from?

Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk

I do not know now. I saved the story from a forum (Timezone??, ...) about 15 years ago.

[hrobi]

Seems like a tricky area of collecting hey, when there's so much money invovled and it can be faked so easily! I personally probably would only go full full full set with a clear path to the original purchaser.

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by hrobi

Seems like a tricky area of collecting hey, when there's so much money invovled and it can be faked so easily! I personally probably would only go full full full set with a clear path to the original purchaser.

What makes you think Comex watches can be faked easily?

Would you care to share some examples?

Instances where people have been fooled because they didn't know their subject should not bear much weight.

Insta: haywood_milton_rolex

[roundcubefifteen]

COMEX, is the French commercial diving company that commissioned Rolex to create dive watches. COMEX needed watches that could plunge down to extreme depths, handle pressurized chambers, and survive ensuing decompression periods.

[Combine man]

So interesting to read about the Comex/Rolex history,especially with the expert knowledge of Mr Milton.
Learnt more about Rolex in my short time on this forum than in 30 years plus ownership!

[Combine man]

Have just read Mr Milton's earlier post of the recollections of the former Navy CD,really fascinating and hugely informative on all sorts of subjects,these were special individuals and one should be proud to wear the same brand of timepiece as a lasting memory to their achievements.

[naci56]

Hi

[SubGMTExplorer2Fan]

Originally Posted by Zdenek

I do not know now. I saved the story from a forum (Timezone??, ...) about 15 years ago.

Was the writer Truman Capote? The story had depth no pun. Great story though.

[Skydwatch]

Love the Comex!


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[fightboy88]

beautiful

[fightboy88]

i love it

[capital]

Is there a sort of registry of all known Rolex Comex somewhere?
Also, is there a place where the price of previous comex sales are published?

I'm trying to purchase a 16610 Comex but finding reliable info seems harder than I thought.

Thanks!

[edward146]

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[James8928]

There is a beautiful Rolex comex for sale on the McTear’s auction house website. Anyone have a view on it? Thanks !

[Goochy]

Originally Posted by James8928

There is a beautiful Rolex comex for sale on the McTear’s auction house website. Anyone have a view on it? Thanks !

It’s a mess.

[James8928]

Why do you say it’s a mess? Fairly sweeping statement….

[Oscar1971]

Few weeks ago I had a conversation with the guy who runs a local car boot got talking about watches and Rolex watches.

Said oh I’ve got a Rolex I used to work for a diving company in the 80’s it’s got the name on the dial

Asked if was COMEX oh yes he replied then proceeded to tell me his dive story’s

Doesn’t wear the watch just sits in a box at his home

[James8928]

Interesting. The early Rolex comex didn’t have comex on the dial. They are stunning watches and the story behind many of them adds a nice history.