COMEX 1680

By Guill@ume · DRSD.com

Reference

Rolex Submariner 1680

Delivered to COMEX

1978

Production Quantity

Approx. 60 examples

Helium Escape Valve

No (200m rating — no HEV)

Primary Recipients

Non-saturation divers · Employees · Customers · Suppliers

Context

Issued 8 years after classic 1680 production; alongside 5513/14 and 1665 for saturation work

Notable Characteristic

Many were resold and redialed as standard Rolex watches — owners unaware of their COMEX significance

The COMEX 1680 Submariner — approximately 60 examples delivered to COMEX in 1978.

COMEX received its 1680 Submariners in 1978 — eight years after the production of the classic 1680. At that time, divers were already equipped with the 5513/14 and had just received the famous Sea-Dweller 1665.

So what was to be done with a 200-metre, no-HEV watch? Some were given to divers for non-saturation dives, and most were given to employees, customers, and suppliers.

Provenance · A Known Example

This example belonged to the COMEX food supplier. It was offered by Mr. Delauze — the founder of COMEX — for his 30th birthday. He was the only owner.

Most of the COMEX 1680 examples were resold and redialed as normal Rolex watches, as many owners did not particularly appreciate the COMEX advertisement on the dial and caseback. Poor souls — if only they had known what they were giving up. COMEX received approximately 60 examples in total.

Collector Note

The relative scarcity of surviving unmodified examples — combined with the fascinating story of their distribution to non-divers — makes the COMEX 1680 one of the more intriguing pieces in any serious COMEX collection. The caseback engravings and original dial are key authentication points for the few that remain unaltered.

Before & After Service

When this watch was purchased, it had been 28 years without service — yet it still worked perfectly. Below: the watch before (left) and after service (right).

Before Service

28 years without service — yet still running.

After Service

The same watch following service.