Rolex Sea-Dweller 16660 Hydra V Comex Guide
Vintage

Rolex Sea-Dweller 16660 Hydra V Comex Guide

By amanico · Nov 18, 2025 · 15 replies
amanico
WPS member · Rolex forum
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Amanico provides rare insights into an extraordinary Rolex Sea-Dweller 16660 Hydra V, a Comex mission watch with unique historical provenance. This post details its participation in record-setting saturation dives, special case back engravings, and its connection to the French Marine Nationale, making it one of the rarest Comex pieces in existence.

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If we can consider the Rolex Sea Dweller 16660 Comex as a special watch, this one adds something extraordinary special... 

Watch by Rolex, Sea Dweller, 16660, Comex

Here are the informations given to me by the owner of this watch: 

The 16660 Comex was  made from 1981 to 1985 (200 issued).

Watch by Rolex, Sea Dweller, 16660, Comex

* This model, the first with a sapphire glass, has been produced in 2 batches of dial, matte then glossy and are seen by the collector as the latest improvement into diving tool: twice the depth rating as a sea dweller 1665 (1220 meters) and an improved design for the helium escape valve.
* This particular watch is a Mission Watch who participates in 2 Saturation dives (hydra 5 and Hydra 8). From the first one, it has special case back engraving, mentioning the mission name as well as the diver name, making it a unique piece but it has been also used by the same diver, during Hydra 8 where it gets the record for the deepest open water saturation diver at 534 meters, achieved during in March 1988. One of the rarest Comex in the world

Watch by Rolex, Sea Dweller, 16660, Comex

* It is important to notice that 2 divers of this hydra mission were from the French Marine National (2 comex, 2 MN and 2 INPP). This is one of those two. This watch bare 2 service engraving by “Yves Pastre” (official service shop of the MN in Toulon) inside the case-back … one the the few “Comex-Military”
* Last detail, this watch was born with a matte dial, but before the Hydra 5 mission, like all the watches which were tested during the 36 days of the experiment, Rolex "upgraded" the watch with the latest improvement, in this case a glossy dial… So this historic piece has 2 dials. To be also noticed that only the Hydra 5 watches engraving have been done by Rolex Geneva (all other missions engravings were done within Comex workshop)

Watch by Rolex, Sea Dweller, 16660, Comex

For your eyes only... 

Watch by Rolex, Sea Dweller, 16660, Comex

Best,

Nicolas

About the Rolex great white Ref. 1665

The Rolex Reference 1665, known as the "Great White," is a specific iteration within its model family. This particular reference is distinct from the Reference 1680, which the collector notes as a separate model undergoing a makeover.

This example features a case described as being in good condition. The movement is a caliber 1570. The dial is a servicedial with Luminova, marked as a Tritium dial.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking specific variations within the Rolex lineup. The presence of a servicedial with Luminova, marked as Tritium, is a notable characteristic for those interested in dial variations.

Specifications

Caliber
1570, 1575
Case
Stainless Steel
Diameter
40mm
Dial
Black
Water Resist.
610m (2000ft)
Crystal
Acrylic

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
AP
aperna
Nov 18, 2025
Not too long ago, I inquired about one and was astonished to see what they were asking for them

AM
amanico
Nov 18, 2025
The price is mad... Even crazier for this one.

AP
aperna
Nov 18, 2025
I spoke to one collector who has an unbelievable collection of mill spec Rolex. I almost fell to the floor when he quoted me a price for one of them.

BI
Bill
Nov 18, 2025
Thanks for sharing this exceptional piece and its mission provenance — truly one of the most fascinating COMEX Sea-Dwellers out there

To add some historical and technical context, here are a few additional points that might interest the community, especially those following the evolution of the 16660 COMEX models during the Hydra missions : Technical & Historical Notes (with credit to Marcello Pisani): The first batch of COMEX Sea-Dwellers 16660 (delivery #3000–3099) was delivered in 1982 , all originally fitted with matte “big logo” dials . ↳ Source: Marcello Pisani on WPS Around 1984 , Rolex began retrofitting these watches

AM
amanico
Nov 18, 2025
Thank you so much for this super interesting input from our dear and highly missed Marcello Pisani!

BI
Bill
Nov 18, 2025
He was a true encyclopedia and his Rolex knowledge has been lost but lives on in our hearts and forum. :)

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