Rolex - The 16660...

The 16660...

New addition to the team. Bought it a couple of weeks ago. Again, a different strand to the collection (and i have to say a very welcome strand). I am still very swayed to the Daytonas and chronographs generally, but having a few diving watches in the squad offers variation in a way that I didnt expect to enjoy so much. 16660 Matt dial. The 666, Nicolas....Revelations 13!!!

Supposedly only 50 or so produced for Comex, and only 35 have ever been back to Rolex for service. Its sitting on my wrist now. There is a depth to the watch that gives it real presence. Its not a blingy watch in any sense of the word, and presence is used here in a way that is not something that shouts. Just something that "is". My son is away at the moment so the photography is not up to scratch, and the scans do not do it justice. All the same, very happy over here! Still thinking about a DRSD to keep this one company.

Question on the helium valve. As i understand it, the helium valve was introduced in order to allow helium to escape the watch on decompression. The prior inability for the helium to escape led to a number of watches imploding through the decompression process as the helium could not escape. Does anyone have any history surrounding the evolution of the helium valve? Fascinating that Rolex overcame the difficulty of allowing watches to submerge to stunning depths, but encountered problems on watches imploding on decompression. Or do i have my history wrong?

This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2009-10-04 10:59:13 This message has been edited by amanico on 2009-10-08 23:51:00

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wow !

By: Ryan5446 : October 4th, 2009-09:48

Congratulations on your new watch. The matte dial 666 is already nice, but a COMEX one... !!! Do you have any papers with the watch ? Do you know anything about the previous or first owner ? With regard to the helium escape valve, this feature was develop...

yes....

By: Baron - Mr Red : October 4th, 2009-09:56

I have full punched papers, Rolex service documentation, box and history...even the original tag. Comes with a host of Comex goodies, and bought from a very reliable dealer. I was very tempted by a very early reference 5513 Comex, but once on the wrist, t...

Damn, Joe!

By: amanico : October 4th, 2009-09:51

A superb creature coming from the deepest ...Depths. And I was to post a topic about mine...Will have to wait a bit, now! Congrats, my speed Friend. Best, Nicolas

Exploding...

By: chaser579 : October 4th, 2009-16:43

..not imploding, or at least blowing off the crystal or caseback or crown caused by the unreleased pressure. Which is why Omega dive watches have the helium valve they do. Was always surprised that the regular Submariner does not have a He escape valve. S...

Not all divers have HRV

By: BDLJ : October 4th, 2009-20:17

...the HRV is only any use to those doing saturation diving. That is, diving in a "bell" filled with trimix (Oxygen, Helium, Nitrogen). The reason behind the bell is that the divers do not need to spend hours decompressing from depth, so instead they spen...

Wow!

By: dxboon : October 4th, 2009-19:04

Congratulations, Joe! This is a beautiful watch. You are right about the depth of the dial and, hey, why so modest about your photography? Your pix are great! The creamy patina on your markers is to die for! Enjoy the latest member of your watch family. C...

The beauty of the 666...

By: DrStrong : October 5th, 2009-03:52

...and the beauty of a Comex in a single watch ! Thanks for sharing that terrific new toy with us ! Cheers Jeff

the 666

By: Baron - Mr Red : October 5th, 2009-04:55

is very different to most of the watches in my collection, but i think it is that difference that makes it such a key part of the collection. I know I am amongst Rolex enthusiasts here, so i make this comment in full knowledge of that. I once owned a GMT ...

STUNNER!!!!...nt

By: Philipps : October 5th, 2009-13:39

Awesome catch!

By: Peter : October 6th, 2009-02:04

Congrats & thks for sharing

What a beauty

By: hans_jorgen_1968 : October 9th, 2009-06:01

Hi Joe Congratulations with a wunderful watch and a very good catch. One of my favorites, that I might only be able to dream of ;-) I myself also first started with a GMT Pepsi in 1998, that was to flashy and I sold 3 Month later to by a AP RO 3120., nice...

Hans

By: Baron - Mr Red : October 12th, 2009-05:13

It is very odd how a collection evolves. The very first watch that captured my imagination was from my father - a 1957 JLC. But i then tended to buy new watches. However, slowly but surely the vintage bug got me. Like you, i find something quite magical w...

DRSD

By: hans_jorgen_1968 : October 12th, 2009-05:45

Hi Joe Thankyou and i believe I need the luck if I want to catch something as nice as your 666. By the way, looking forward to your next catch (if you do it) the DRSD ;-) BR Hans P.S. I am actually hunting a plain '666' or a 1665 tropic dial or a sub 1680...

Hans, its a lot like hunting...

By: Baron - Mr Red : October 12th, 2009-06:32

I do have a DRSD in my cross-wires. It would have been lovely to find a Mk2 dial with papers, but the price on those is not quite right compared to prices on, for example, many of the Comex. So, i am looking at this Mk4 with B&P that is really quite lovel...

..Thanks Joe, would really appreciate that ;-) [nt]

By: hans_jorgen_1968 : October 12th, 2009-06:34

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