For dedicated collectors of vintage Rolex sports watches, most would agree that one of the most celebrated and important collaborations was between Rolex and COMEX. The partnership between the two organizations witnessed their first serially produced wristwatch, the Rolex Sea-Dweller. While its aesthetics remain very much similar to the Submariner, an important feature developed by COMEX would set the two apart, the helium gas escape valve. Attached to the left side of the caseband, the helium gas escape valve allows gas to escape in one outward direction while retaining its waterproof capabilities, enabling for a much deeper depth rating.

While Rolex was the official timekeeping instrument for COMEX, a series of wristwatches featured the “COMEX” logo on the dial throughout its decades of relationship. The last reference to feature the “COMEX” logo on the dial was the Sea-Dweller ref. 16600. Released in 1988, the ref. 16600 enjoyed a long production run of 20 years and was discontinued in 2008. However, it was not until 1992 that the ref. 16600 was utilized by COMEX. Being the official professional dive watch for the French maritime company, the ref. 16600 was made with 200 examples featuring the “COMEX” logo on the dial between 1992 – 1997, with its batch number starting from 3200 and ending at 3400. During the period, the ref. 16600 was used in HYDRA - LUDION missions 1 and 2, which were historical undersea missions whose purpose was to study a new deep diving process using hydrogen instead of helium.

The present example Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16600 COMEX with an “N” serial from circa 1991 bearing batch number “3220” inscribed in the correct manner for the period on the caseback, the present example is fresh to the market and is the 20th example of the ref. 16600 commissioned by COMEX.