910

Rolex

Ref. 16610

Submariner “COMEX”

A rare and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box, made for COMEX

Estimate
HK$250,000–450,000
€28,000–50,400
$32,100–57,700
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1991
Movement No
6’233’314
Reference No
16610
Case No
N398’501, repeated inside caseback and stamped “16610”, Caseback issue number “6367”
Model Name
Submariner “COMEX”
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “93150”, endlinks stamped “501B”, max length 195mm
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “93150” & “R7”
Dimensions
40mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed, dial further stamped COMEX
Accessories
Accompanied by blank Rolex punched guarantee, instruction manual, product literature, green booklet holder, hang tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Read Conditions of Sale
Good To Know:

- Last Rolex Submariner reference to feature the iconic COMEX logo
- One of approximately 250 examples
- Fresh to the auction market
- Preserved in excellent condition with punched guarantee and box

Among all Submariner variations, COMEX-issued models hold a legendary status for Rolex collectors. Between approximately 1989 and 1997, roughly 250 examples of the reference 16610 were supplied to the French deep-sea diving and engineering firm COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises). Delivered specifically for company specialists, these purpose-built tool watches were distinguished by the famous COMEX logo on the dial and a dedicated issue number engraved on the caseback.

Following the sale of COMEX in 1997, the company's long-standing policy of outfitting its divers with Rolex timepieces came to an end. Bearing a N serial, this reference 16610 represents the final Rolex Submariner reference to feature the iconic COMEX dial signature. The caseback is clearly engraved with issue number 6367, confirming its commercial diving provenance.

Fresh to the auction market, this exceptionally rare Submariner is preserved in overall excellent condition and comes with its punched guarantee and presentation box. As a representative of the very last generation of COMEX Submariners, this timepiece offers an extraordinary acquisition opportunity for the serious vintage Rolex collector.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905

Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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