240 Rolex Very Rare and Important, Sea-Dweller, Automatic Diver’s, Wristwatch in Steel, Made for Comex, With Box, Certificate, Attestation of the Original Owner, Copy of Comex Papers, Compression Tables and Original Comex Medal, Reference 16 600

Estimate: €60,000 –⁠ 120,000

Model: Sea-Dweller “COMEX”
Reference: 16600
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1997
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 3135
Case N°: T969456, N° 3322
Dimensions: 40 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Box, Papers, Letters, Tag, Calendar, Compression Tables, Medal and Anchor

Rolex has consistently embraced water as a favored element for crafting innovative and increasingly efficient timepieces ever since it achieved a breakthrough in 1927. That pivotal moment marked the introduction of the first completely waterproof watch, worn by the British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze. Over the years, Rolex continued to enhance the water-resistant capabilities of its timepieces. In 1967, a significant milestone was reached with the presentation of the first evolution of the Submariner 5514, giving rise to the creation of the Sea-Dweller model, specifically the reference 1665. The featured lot is an exemplary Sea-Dweller reference 16 600, representing the final reference with the aluminum bezel insert akin to the original version on the 1665. Remarkably, this particular timepiece appears to have never been worn, maintaining perfect condition with distinctive engravings and logos created for Comex. This classic Rolex model, now discontinued, remains an excellent choice for everyday wear. Its black dial, adorned with applied dot and baton indexes, exudes elegance, while the graduated bezel retains sharp edges. The successful collaboration between Comex and Rolex commenced in the early 1970s, leading to the creation of specialized “Submariner” models tailored to meet the stringent technical and professional requirements of deep-sea divers. The Sea-Dweller ref. 16 600, released in 1988, marked the final reference to feature the “COMEX” logo on the dial. The collaboration continued until 1997, with 200 examples featuring the logo produced between 1992 and 1997, designated by batch numbers from 3200 to 3400. During this period, the ref. 16 600 played a crucial role in HYDRA-LUDION missions 1 and 2, contributing to the exploration of new deep diving processes utilizing hydrogen instead of helium. Moreover this watch comes in a full-collector’s set that includes Box, Papers, Letters, Tag, Calendar, Compression Tables, Medal and Anchor.