Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, May 08, 2010

LOT 288

Rolex Ref. 168000, COMEX Submariner Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, "Submariner, 1000 ft / 300 m?, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 168000/16800. Made circa 1986. Very fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel diver's wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster Fliplock bracelet. Accompanied by a Spirotechnique depthmeter and a Comex respirator.

CHF 20,000 - 30,000

USD 19,000 - 29,000 / EUR 14,000 - 21,000

Sold: CHF 33,600

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, case back engraved: COMEX 6221, graduated unidirectional revolving black bezel for the decompression times, Triplock winding crown protected by the crown guard, sapphire crystal with cyclops lens. M. Cal. 3035, rhodium-plated, 27 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating freesprung 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: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-10-01

Good

Patinated

HANDS Original

Notes

Between 1987 and 1988 Rolex delivered a small batch of approximately 100 watches with the model reference 168000 (note the extra 0). The difference in the reference number indicates the use of higher quality steel (from grade 316 to grade 904L) in the later watches.
It used the same case as the later ref. 16610 with the movement and dial from the ref, 16800. As with the 16800, the gloss tritium ?small? COMEX logo dials on the 168000 watches were of very poor quality and the dial often deteriorated causing problems with debris becoming loose on the dial and in the movement.