From about 1980 to 1984, Rolex delivered Sea-Dweller ref. 16660 watches with large COMEX markings on the dial to COMEX (a French deep-sea engineering company). These COMEX versions are some of the rarest and most desirable versions of the Sea-Dweller ref. 16660. Only 200 examples of the Sea-Dweller 16660 COMEX were reportedly produced.
The first of these watches featured an old-fashioned matte-style dial with two lines of writing (without the official Super Chronometer certified text). According to some estimates, only 50 of the 200 had matte dials, while other estimates say there may have been 100 examples. The remaining COMEX Sea-Dweller 16660 has a polished dial surrounded by white gold and four lines of text.
In addition to the aforementioned modifications, the replica Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16660 also has a new automatic movement beating inside. The new model has a caliber 3035, replacing the Caliber 1575 of the previous Sea-Dweller ref. 1665. The Caliber 3035 is self-winding, has 27 jewels, and can be adjusted to 5 positions and temperatures. It is also a COSC-certified chronometer movement, indicated by the text “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” on the dial of all Sea-Dweller 16660 watches.
The new caliber 3035 runs at a higher frequency – 28,800 vibrations per hour instead of the previous 19,800 BPH. In addition, it is more shock-resistant, a much-appreciated feature for a rugged dive watch intended for professional use. One super practical upgrade that the 3035 caliber brings to the Sea-Dweller ref. 16665 is the quick set date function. This means that the date can now be set independently, without having to keep turning the hands on the dial after midnight to get the date correct.
The price of the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16660 depends on several factors such as the type of dial, age, and condition of the watch. However, you can expect prices for vintage Sea-Dweller 16660 watches to start at around $12,000 for the newer glossy dial version. The matte dial Sea-Dweller 16660 will cost more; it is not uncommon for the matte version to cost twice as much as the glossy version.
Since there are so few COMEX Sea-Dweller 16660 examples on the market, it is difficult to give them an exact value. However, all COMEX dial replica Rolex watches can be very expensive, and this is especially true for the Sea-Dweller 16660. 2020 did see a few examples sell at auction for anywhere from $80,000 to over $100,000, while others have been known to trade at even more impressive values through private party sales.
The Sea-Dweller 16660 introduced a number of features that are still present in today’s version. It was the first Sea-Dweller to have a sapphire crystal, a unidirectional bezel, a quick-setting date, and a water-resistance rating of 4,000 feet, all of which remain on the latest version of the Sea-Dweller produced by Rolex today.
For many collectors, the reference 16660 “Triple Six” represents a point in the history of the Sea-Dweller when Rolex’s ultra-specialized saturation dive watch first began to take what would eventually become its modern form. This unique watch is at the crossroads of vintage and modern, with classic features such as a 40 mm case size and matte dial (in earlier examples), but with modern conveniences such as a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and an Oyster strap with solid end links.
For collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty and wrist presence of vintage Rolex watches, but want something more robust and worry-free for everyday wear and use, the fake Rolex Sea-Dweller “Triple Six” Reference 16660 is the perfect watch that offers a lot of historical sophistication and small variations, yet can withstand almost any activity you find yourself in. whether on land or below the surface of the ocean.
The transitional “Triple Six” Sea-Dweller is, therefore, a collectible vintage Rolex sports watch, not only because of its good looks but also because of the important role it has played in the evolution of the Sea-Dweller collection. Moreover, considering the variety of dials in the Sea-Dweller 16660 collection, this is a Rolex reference worth researching, finding, and collecting.
