A watch. A story.
We know it all too well, each object carries the heritage of its design;
This is all the more the case for this Rolex Comex Sea-Dweller 16660 (known as “Triple 6”).
COMEX (COmpagnie Maritime d'EXpertise) is a company founded by Henri Germain Delauze, French engineer and diver, in 1961 and specialized in underwater engineering.
A company which, by sending divers to a few places under the sea in difficult working conditions, had to equip them with a reliable part for the return to the decompression chamber.
And it was Rolex that produced watches for the COMEX between 1970 AND 1997.
There were 3 Sea-Dweller references stamped COMEX. Reference 1665, 16660 and 16600.
With the 16660, we have arrived in the era of sapphire crystal (although at this time, Rolex still delivers SD plexi)
The Sea-Dweller model is transformed, everything is new, the valve, the bracelet, the movement, the glass of course, all this to bring us even further under the surface, from now on, the SD goes down to 1220m ( actually much more...)
Like the other Rolex references in the diver range, this new model will be tested by the COMEX.
There are two series of dials and three series of case backs.
Basically, deliveries of triple 6 to COMEX can be as follows:
First batch with assignment number between 3000 and 3099, Beyeler production matte dial, first generation case back.
Second batch with assignment number between 3100 and 3199, circled dial from Lemrich & Co production, latest generation case back.
For the second-generation dials, we find the defects present (small dots), typical of the dials produced at this period, we will find them on the SD (civilian and assigned) as well as on the Sub, Gmt...
This second-generation model for sale is exceptional. Full set with its chocolate dial, it is an extremely rare piece.
