Rolex “168000 Full-Set Provenance COMEX” Submariner
Up for grabs is an incredibly rare Rolex Submariner, Ref. 168000, made for COMEX, circa 1987. COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertses), which stands for “Expert Maritime Company”, was a famous diving company which specialized in deep underwater engineering, construction, and exploration. Rolex partnered with COMEX in the 1970s, and supplied them with Submariner and Sea-Dweller wristwatches for their underwater exploits – a collaboration that was unheard of for the brand to that point, and has yet to be done since, making the co-branded COMEX watches some of the most collectible Rolex sports watches on the market.
This particular COMEX Submariner was issued to a commercial diver, employed by COMEX. Included in the sale are the original Rolex boxes, Guarantee Certificate, booklets, and a whole litany of provenance and extras, including COMEX stickers/pins, pictures of the original owner wearing his COMEX watches over the years, a book written by the original owner (Gabriel di Domenico), and more.
This Rolex COMEX Submariner remains in nice vintage condition, clearly used as an intended dive watch. The case remains thick and polished, worn from use, and polished in the past. The dial remains perfect and glossy, with no flaws. Likewise, the insert remains in good shape, with no major wear. The watch comes fitted on its original Rolex Oyster 93150 flip-lock bracelet with 501B endlinks, and has 10 links (plus diver’s extension), showing negligible stretch. PLEASE NOTE: the original dial and hands were replaced by Rolex in 2009, and the watch was fit with a factory COMEX service dial, and is documented as such via service receipts in 2009.
Caliber: Cal. 3035
Case: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 40mm
Function: Date, Time
Model: Rolex Submariner, Ref. 168000
