Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Jun 18, 2008

LOT 356

Ref. 168000, COMEX Submariner Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, "Submariner, 1000 ft. / 300 m.?, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 168000/16800. Made circa 1988. Very fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Rolex Fliplock Oyster bracelet.

USD 60,000 - 90,000

EUR 40,000 - 60,000

Sold: USD 79,200

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, case back engraved: COMEX 6243, graduated unidirectional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. D. Black with applied luminous round, triangular and baton steel indexes, imprint: Comex, aperture for the date. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. 3035, rhodium-plated, 27 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-7-01

Good

Oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

COMEX The Comex company, based in Marseille, specializes in underwater engineering. In 1972, Comex divers used the Rolex Sea-Dweller in a world record-setting simulated dive which took them down to 2000 feet for one hour and a half. The watch performed so well that Comex decided to use only Rolex diving watches and chronometers in their work. In June 1972, divers Alain Jourde and Claude Bourdier again went down to 2000 feet, in an experiment which lasted 28 days. The divers remained at the lowest point, 2000 feet under sea level (610 meters), for 50 hours, a recordbreaking feat, while wearing Rolex Sea-Dweller watches. At 2000 feet, the atmosphere contains a high percentage of helium gas, which can penetrate even a water-tight watch case. The gas cannot escape quickly enough upon resurfacing, and as the outside pressure decreases, the pressure remaining inside the watch due to the built-up gas can causing the watch to explode. The Rolex Sea-Dweller watch is fitted with a special helium valve, allowing the gas to escape quickly during decompression. The watches made by Rolex for the Comex company often bear the word "Comex" on the dial.