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Old 3 October 2015, 02:44 AM   #1
MUCCI416
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Icon5 Comex

Could the experts tell me all the diff model references with Comex on the dial.
Ive seen a bunch and was wondering which are the rarest and most sought after
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Old 3 October 2015, 08:28 AM   #2
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Let's get the ball rolling then :

Comex 5513 ( with helium escape valve )
Comex 5514
Comex 1665
Comex 1680
Comex 16660
Comex 16800
Comex 168000
Comex 16600
Comex 16610

You can then start dividing them into different dial versions, different batches of case number styles, presentation watches / professionally used watches........there's always another one you just have to be looking for......

Here's one of mine, a nice example because this is a 1665 with the unique 600m (rather than 610m) depth rating :



As a watch with a unique and logo-ed, original dial, used professionally and with dive-logs etc documenting the incredible work of its recipient, which can be provenanced further by the surviving delivery manifest from Rolex to Comex which specifies its case number and corresponding issue number, it is one of the most sought after models --- but not the rarest.

Piecing together the jigsaw of models and numbers is very satisfying; finding them is somewhat more difficult!

Haywood Milton
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 3 October 2015, 02:04 PM   #3
MUCCI416
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Icon14

Man that was a great reply...thanks for the info HM and nice COMEX RAIL
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Old 3 October 2015, 05:35 PM   #4
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Ones without logos can still be quite correct, original Comex watches: I enjoy this one, being one of the very earliest issue numbers. A 5513 with helium escape valve.


Haywood Milton
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 3 October 2015, 05:43 PM   #5
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One of my two ten-years-service presentation 16800s, this one with beautifully mellowed markers.



Look out for different versions of the dials on these.

Haywood Milton
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 3 October 2015, 05:45 PM   #6
Haywood_Milton
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A very wearable 16600 under gloomy British skies last winter:



Haywood Milton
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 3 October 2015, 05:51 PM   #7
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If you aren't familiar with the sort of men and activities that render Comex and military issue Rolexes quite so special, over and above their unique physical differences from normal watches, you may find my post from December 2013 of mild interest:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=327534

You may wish to spend a penny before you start reading.

Haywood Milton
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 3 October 2015, 06:22 PM   #8
gensiulia
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it's hard to say which is the rarest by definition, because there's a lot of small things you have to consider, firstly the caseback.
As for the reference, the 1680 Comex is probably more rare than others.

Cheers
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Old 3 October 2015, 06:52 PM   #9
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Fantastic info and pictures Mr Milton.
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Old 3 October 2015, 07:53 PM   #10
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WOW great Comex collection
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Old 3 October 2015, 07:55 PM   #11
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Awesome watches and thanks for sharing everyone!
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Old 3 October 2015, 09:16 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MUCCI416 View Post
Could the experts tell me all the diff model references with Comex on the dial.
Ive seen a bunch and was wondering which are the rarest and most sought after

for as many years as i can remember ed's site has been the starting point for those trying to understand the basics of comex....its a good read and sets it out clearly.

http://www.doubleredseadweller.com/watch-info/comex/
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Old 4 October 2015, 02:51 AM   #13
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Really nice!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
One of my two ten-years-service presentation 16800s, this one with beautifully mellowed markers.



Look out for different versions of the dials on these.

Haywood Milton
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Old 4 October 2015, 03:57 PM   #14
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Its always a pleasure to get a glimpse of Mr. Milton's collection.
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Old 4 October 2015, 04:09 PM   #15
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I made this a sticky. Thank you for the fantastic information.
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Old 19 October 2015, 05:50 AM   #16
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A couple quick questions to satisfy my curiosity not because I'm searching for a Comex watch.

Did they ever issue non lug hole 16600s to divers?

Did most divers leave the watch on the metal bracelet or did they switch to a NATO while diving?

Thank you. These are amazing watches and that thread in post seven of this thread is an amazing story. Reading it was a satisfying way to spend my Sunday morning.
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Old 1 November 2015, 09:57 PM   #17
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Some no hole pics



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Old 1 November 2015, 10:20 PM   #18
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I made this a sticky. Thank you for the fantastic information.
This is the highest compliment on TRF... Like being a made guy..
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Old 2 November 2015, 07:45 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Angrypuppy View Post
A couple quick questions to satisfy my curiosity not because I'm searching for a Comex watch.

Did they ever issue non lug hole 16600s to divers?

Did most divers leave the watch on the metal bracelet or did they switch to a NATO while diving?

Thank you. These are amazing watches and that thread in post seven of this thread is an amazing story. Reading it was a satisfying way to spend my Sunday morning.
I've never known one switch voluntarily to a NATO-style nylon strap, no.

I think that some of the active divers did receive later 16600 T models (no lug holes) but most do indeed seem to turn up with only the lightest of wear such as they might pick up at a desk.....

The 16600 I showed above (with lug-holes) was issued and used professionally.

Here is the text of my original post :

"This N-series watch reached me with original 119-code papers, box, tags etc and with the usual provenance from an owner whose professional diving career followed the pattern typical of many in the UK. I won't detail further here as you might expect me to normally. It is what followed which amused me.

Perhaps using some of the skills he, ahem, learned in previous employment, he went into the Special Effects industry, where he worked at the highest level and to personal celebration on some of the greatest blockbusters of modern cinema. I now watch certain films listed in his imdb biography and at major, explosive moments wonder if this watch was on the hand pushing the detonator."



Haywood M
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 2 November 2015, 05:11 PM   #20
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I especially like the stories behind these watches.
Thank you Haywood for sharing
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Old 15 November 2015, 09:49 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
If you aren't familiar with the sort of men and activities that render Comex and military issue Rolexes quite so special, over and above their unique physical differences from normal watches, you may find my post from December 2013 of mild interest:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=327534

You may wish to spend a penny before you start reading.

Haywood Milton
Nice read, thanks for sharing.
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Old 15 November 2015, 12:03 PM   #22
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Some no hole pics



Great shots
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Old 31 December 2015, 09:05 AM   #23
MUCCI416
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Thank you all so very much for all your info about the connection between Rolex & Comex over the years! I would have liked to thank you all sooner but my account had been un accessible to me because of a problem with my email. Happy New years to you and yours!
Cheers
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Old 16 July 2016, 08:02 PM   #24
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Incredible info Milton (and others). Thank you so much.
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Old 17 July 2016, 11:18 PM   #25
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Thank you all for your great posts, also for the former clearance diver and Hayward, it was a great read on Sunday morning!
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Old 27 July 2016, 07:44 AM   #26
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I seem to remember one of these from years ago that had Comex INSTEAD of Rolex...the guy said they would report theirs as lost every so often to get new ones.
Just can't remember the dial....ring any bells anyone?
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Old 13 August 2016, 07:06 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
Ones without logos can still be quite correct, original Comex watches: I enjoy this one, being one of the very earliest issue numbers. A 5513 with helium escape valve.


Haywood Milton
Haywood
OUTSTANDING replys and info - thanks

Just out of curiosity how you know this watch is COMEX?
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Old 14 August 2016, 06:31 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GLADIATOR View Post
Haywood
OUTSTANDING replys and info - thanks

Just out of curiosity how you know this watch is COMEX?
It has a helium escape valve, the case back is marked correctly with COMEX designation, it has a COMEX issue number (showing it to be from the very first 50 watches) and this corresponds as it should with the Rolex case number, which is within a well-documented batch.

The dial is correct for this variant and has some distinctive, albeit easily overlooked features.

Haywood Milton
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 14 August 2016, 07:14 PM   #29
GLADIATOR
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Many thanks for taking time to explain it.
I have a wonderful collection of vintage watches, but I doubt the complete 100+ pieces would not by a COMEX

Regards
adam
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Old 20 August 2016, 04:06 AM   #30
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Haywood- I searched and found this thread looking for info on the 16610 comex models. What I found was the link to that amazing story, which I read and thoroughly enjoyed.

But back to the initial reason for my search: do you have, or can you point me to, good information on the 16610 Comex subs?

Thanks again for the story, and in advance for the link/info.
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