Rolex and COMEX: A Deep Dive into their Legendary Collaboration

Rolex and COMEX are two names that any collector or enthusiast of dive watches should know. Both have a long and distinguished history in the field of professional diving, and their collaboration led to the creation of some of the most iconic dive watches ever made. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the history and legacy of the Rolex-COMEX partnership, and explore the watches that came out of this collaboration.

The History of Rolex and COMEX

COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises) is a French company that specializes in underwater engineering and deep-sea diving. It was founded in 1961 by Henri Germain Delauze, a former naval officer who had a passion for deep-sea diving. Delauze's goal was to develop new technologies and techniques for underwater operations, and he quickly gained a reputation for excellence in the field of diving.

Rolex, on the other hand, had been making watches for divers since the 1950s, starting with the Submariner. The Submariner quickly became a favorite among professional divers, and Rolex continued to develop and improve its diving watches over the years.

In the 1960s, Rolex and COMEX began a collaboration that would change the world of dive watches forever. The partnership began when COMEX reached out to Rolex with a request to develop a watch that could withstand the extreme conditions of deep-sea diving. Rolex, which was already renowned for its expertise in creating durable and reliable watches, eagerly accepted the challenge.

The First Rolex-COMEX Collaboration Watches

The first watch to come out of the Rolex-COMEX collaboration was the Sea-Dweller, which was introduced in 1967. The Sea-Dweller was a more robust and capable version of the Submariner, with a thicker case, a helium escape valve, and a depth rating of 610 meters (2,000 feet). The Sea-Dweller was the first watch to feature a helium escape valve, which allowed helium to escape from the watch during decompression, thus preventing the crystal from popping off.

The Sea-Dweller was followed by the Sea-Dweller 2000, which was introduced in 1971. The Sea-Dweller 2000 was even more robust than its predecessor, with a depth rating of 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). It also featured a new movement, the Rolex Caliber 1575, which was specifically designed for the Sea-Dweller 2000.

Rolex also created a special version of the Sea-Dweller for COMEX, known as the Sea-Dweller COMEX. The Sea-Dweller COMEX had a unique dial, with the COMEX logo and a depth rating of 600 meters (2,000 feet). It was only available to COMEX divers and is now one of the most sought-after Rolex watches among collectors.

The Legacy of the Rolex-COMEX Collaboration

The Rolex-COMEX partnership continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with Rolex providing COMEX divers with specially modified versions of its watches. The watches were tested extensively by COMEX divers in real-world conditions, and their feedback was used to improve the watches.

The partnership between Rolex and COMEX came to an end in the late 1980s, but its legacy lives on. The watches that came out of the collaboration are some of the most collectible and sought-after watches in the world, with prices that can reach well into the six figures. They are a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and dedication of both Rolex and COMEX, and their legacy will continue to inspire divers and watch enthusiasts for generations to come.

Technical Specifications of Rolex-COMEX Collaboration Watches

The Rolex-COMEX collaboration produced some of the most iconic and durable dive watches ever made, including the Sea-Dweller, Sea-Dweller 2000, and Submariner. These watches were designed to withstand the extreme conditions of deep-sea diving and were tested extensively by COMEX divers. Here are the technical specifications of some of the most popular Rolex-COMEX collaboration watches:

1. Rolex Sea-Dweller COMEX Ref. 1665

The Sea-Dweller COMEX Ref. 1665 was created in the 1970s and was a modified version of the standard Sea-Dweller. It had a unique dial with the COMEX logo and a depth rating of 600 meters (2,000 feet). It was also fitted with a helium escape valve, which allowed helium to escape from the watch during decompression. The Sea-Dweller COMEX Ref. 1665 was powered by the Rolex Caliber 1575 movement and had a stainless steel case and bracelet.

2. Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 COMEX

The Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 COMEX was introduced in the 1980s and was a more robust version of the Sea-Dweller. It had a depth rating of 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) and was fitted with a helium escape valve. The watch had a stainless steel case and bracelet and was powered by the Rolex Caliber 3135 movement.

3. Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 COMEX

The Submariner Ref. 5513 COMEX was introduced in the 1970s and was a modified version of the standard Submariner. It had a unique dial with the COMEX logo and a depth rating of 200 meters (660 feet). The watch was powered by the Rolex Caliber 1520 movement and had a stainless steel case and bracelet.

4. Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 COMEX

The Submariner Ref. 1680 COMEX was introduced in the 1970s and was another modified version of the standard Submariner. It had a unique dial with the COMEX logo and a depth rating of 200 meters (660 feet). The watch was powered by the Rolex Caliber 1575 movement and had a stainless steel case and bracelet.

Conclusion

The partnership between Rolex and COMEX led to the creation of some of the most iconic and durable dive watches ever made. These watches were designed to withstand the extreme conditions of deep-sea diving and were tested extensively by COMEX divers.

The watches that came out of the collaboration are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, with prices that can reach well into the six figures. They are a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and dedication of both Rolex and COMEX, and their legacy will continue to inspire divers and watch enthusiasts for generations to come.

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