Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Jun 27, 2009

LOT 371

Ref. 16600, COMEX Sea-Dweller Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual Date, COMEX, Sea Dweller 4000ft=1220m, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified?, case No. N440641, Ref. 16600. Made in 1992. Very fine and rare, center seconds, self-winding, water resistant, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with date, helium escape valve and a stainless steel Fliplock Oyster bracelet. Accompanied by the original box and red Rolex seal, hang tag and booklets.

HKD 300,000 - 400,000

USD 43,000 - 57,000 / EUR 30,000 - 40,000

Sold: HKD 360,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down engraved case back, graduated unidirectional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown-guard, helium escape valve at 9, sapphire crystal, case back engraved: ROLEX COMEX 3271. D. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton white gold indexes, outer minute division, aperture for the date. Luminous white gold skeleton hands. M. Cal. 3135, rhodium-plated, 31 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 15 mm. Approx overall length 185 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Sea-Dweller: First launched in 1971 as the Ref. 1665, this watch was a direct result of Rolex's collaboration with COMEX, the French deep sea exploration company. Rolex's research resulted in the ?gas-escape valve? first fitted to the Submariner Ref. 5513 and from 1971 to the new Sea-Dweller, Ref. 1665. From 1971 until 1973 they bore the name ?Sea-Dweller, Submariner 2000? in red. The second generation of the ref. 1665 from 1973/4-1980 was simply signed ?Sea-Dweller? in white print, both were rated to 2000ft/610m. The Ref. 1665 was superseded in 1980 by the Ref. 16660 with quick-set date, sapphire crystal and improved ?double gas-escape valve?. This watch was rated to 4000ft/1220m. The ref. 16660 was superseded in the mid 1990s by the Ref.16600 with caliber 3135 ?fast-beat? movement. Submariner and Sea-Dweller References used by Comex: 1970-1972/3 Submariner Ref. 5513 with HEV.
1972-1978 Submariners Ref. 5514 with HEV made for COMEX only. 1978-1979 Submariner Ref. 1680 no HEV. 1977-1980 Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 with HEV. 1980-1984 Sea-Dweller sapphire Ref. 16660 with HEV. 1982-1986 Submariner sapphire Ref. 16800 no HEV. 1988-1989 Submariner Ref. 168000 no HEV. 1986-1997 Submariner Ref. 16610 no HEV. 1992-1997 Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 with HEV and sapphire crystal.