Featured lot selected by the auctions House.
Premium BONHAMS CORNETTE DE SAINT CYR
56
-
56. Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic calenda…
56
-
56. Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic calenda…
Estimate €60,000 - €120,000
Voluntary lot
Description
56. Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic calendar bracelet watch, which belonged to a former diver and CEO of the 'COMEX'
Model: Submariner 'COMEX No.6466'
Reference: 16610
Date: Circa 1996
Movement: 31-jewel Cal.3135 automatic, adjusted to 5 positions & temperature, No.7695727
Dial: Black, applied luminous dot hour markers with baton quarters, white outer minute divisions, magnified date aperture at 3, polished Mercedes hands with luminous inserts, centre seconds
Case: Brushed and polished tonneau form, screw down back and shouldered crown, uni-directional rotating bezel with black calibrated insert, back engraved 'ROLEX 6466 COMEX', No.T966392
Strap/Bracelet: Fitted brushed 93150 Oyster link
Buckle/Clasp: Signed folding clasp, coded Z8
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 40mm
Accompaniments: Original Rolex box, outer card, certificate provided by Jacques Bianchi authorized Service Centre confirming provenance and COMEX authenticity, swing tag, brochure, Groupe COMEX Medallion in recognition of 30 years of collaboration dated June 2001, 3 Comex-Pro dive tables, Jean-Pierre Bargiarelli business card
By the time the Submariner Date reference 16610 appeared in the late 1980s, diving technology had already evolved to the point where COMEX divers were no longer relying on mechanical wristwatches as their primary timing instruments. Nevertheless, Rolex continued to supply Submariner and Sea-Dweller models to COMEX for roughly a decade, though these later pieces were often reserved for executives and senior personnel rather than active deep-sea divers.
COMEX-branded reference 16610 watches are generally found with serial numbers dating from approximately 1986 to 1997, even though the reference itself was officially introduced around 1988. It is estimated that only a few hundred examples were produced during this period, making them significantly rarer than standard production models. As many were not subjected to professional diving conditions, they are often preserved in relatively better condition than earlier COMEX-issued Submariners.
The reference 16610 is also the last Submariner to feature the COMEX logo on the dial, marking the end of a long-standing collaboration between Rolex and the diving company. Aside from their distinctive dials and caseback engravings, these watches remain mechanically identical to standard production examples.
Although COMEX 16610 models are among the more accessible COMEX references, they remain highly sought after due to their rarity and historical significance. They represent the final chapter of a partnership that helped define the modern dive watch, reinforcing Rolex's legacy as a manufacturer of robust professional tool watches.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like