Comments:
Rolex Comex or Complicated Patek
I posed this question in the PP thread as well. i have been thinking about my next acquisition and it really comes down to two options. I have recently shifted much of my collection to PP. I just did a big trade consolidating several watches for a new 5970J . I have been thrilled with the result. The 5970 may be the perfect watch. It's the perfect size, the layout is legible, the look is extremely elegant and the quality is remarkable. I have also been wearing other PP's as daily wearers. Nevertheless, I have always wanted a COMEX. I love the Sea Dweller and the rarity factor and romanticism of the extreme divers watch has always captured my imagination. I know it only a dial and caseback but it just is really the only Rolex now that interests me along with other rare models like the Omani SeaDweller. Which would you guys lean to in the next round of insanity? Thanks and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year to all....
I feel qualified to answer this.....
First, I own a Comex 16660 and also a 1665 Gold Oman. The Rolex Sea-Dweller is without doubt my favourite reference. I adore it. And let me say, having at least one of these in my collection is a given. If I was to boil down my collection to 5 watches, I am guessing two of them would be Sea-Dwellers.
In terms of Patek, I have owned a 5970P, currently own a 5070P, 5110Y and a couple of other Pateks too.
I feel I am in a decent position to give a view. And my answer is very simple...go for the Comex. I tell you why I say this....there are two factors;
1) You talk specifically about the Comex and Sea-Dweller. That shows that you have already been drawn by the nature of the watch. It has already called to you. Whereas, when you talk about Patek, you do not mention a specific reference....just the concept of another Patek. Now, if you had talked lovingly about, say, a 5070 (which is a superb compliment IMHO to the 5970) and how you loved this or another specific Patek, then that would have been different.
2) If you have already moved a share of your collection into PP, then it makes sense to have a variation in both style and manufacture. I love variation...and there is very little that compares with a Comex for that something different and relatively unique. Obviously there are many Pateks that offer a variation in style, but there is nothing in the Patek line-up that is even vaguely comparable to a 1665. It ids all well and good to have a classy Patek on the wrist, but every now and then, nothing....absolutely nothing....tops a Rolex tool watch.
Having given my view, I will say that I would stress the first point...namely, you do not mention a specific Patek that you have fallen for, just the fact that you want to get another Patek. That is far less of a motivational point than identifying a specific type of Rolex. From what you have said...go Comex
For once we are in opposition
A comex is a label on a dial
You want a SD
Then just buy a SD and save ££££££
To pay this much is nuts in my opinion
The 5970 wins all day long
As I put my money where my mouth is also
Ps I owned a 5514 and 1665 Comex
And sold them to buy Patek complications
I want something more than a logo.
.....but....
.....the question was not whether a 5970 was better than a Comex. The questioner already has a 5970..... the question was whether the buyer should go for a Comex or another Patek.....having already shifted (and concentrated) a lot of the collection into Patek, should he add a Comex?
I think Comex is more than a label...it is a big part of Rolex history...a big part of what Rolex is the iconic tool watch that it is. The buyer already has plenty of stylish Pateks......what he doesn't have is the SAS Black Ops Bad Boy Comex.
agree
Think there is no reasonable comparison between a Patek and a Comex. I think they are very far away from each other. In the end it all comes down to personal taste and emotion. I m fortunate to own a patek 5070G (thx to Nicolas) and a number of Comex watches. I wear them at different occasions. The patek is for me a dresswatch. I tend to be more careful with the watch. To me it is more "fragile" which is probably just my imagination. To me it is a watch for "grown ups" if that makes sense. The Comex watches respresent something completely different. I wear them on any occassion, formal and informal. A Comex watch is so much more than just a logo. It breathes dive watch history and is the development of dive watches. It is bad ass and sophisticated at the same time. It is indestructable. It is very understated compared to a Patek. As I said, it all comes down to personal preference and what a watch "does for you".. or what look for in a watch. I honestly would not be able to choose between the two. Although I have to admit I m Rolex vintage collector in the first place
Damn, Steven, this 5070 is gorgeous!!!
The common point between the 5070 and the Comex is their coolness.
Best, my friend.
Nicolas
If it was me for the price of a Connex I would rather go for…
6200
6541
6236
8171
6538 red triangle chronometre
6542 mint
Logo watches just don't do it for me anymore
But that's just me and I'm always happy when a collector gets a watch they love
If that's a Comex then I'll be the first to congratulate 
That's another story, i can agree...
... With a a couple of Rolex you mentioned, but not for a 5970 as you said.
Maybe for a 3970...
2499 too
Cheers.
I love that triple six that you have.....
The dial is PERFECT!!!, could you post a picture of the gold Oman. That's a special special watch.
Oh wow....
That's simply fantastic. You have an awesome collection my friend. I can't stop drooling. I think you have my two favorite Rolexes... Enjoy those. You are selling me hard in the COMEX. It really comes down to what you would wear and most enjoy. I LOVE my PP's. I have three Nautiluses and my 5970. The itch though for a special rare Rolex is really prevalent, currently I am considering a 1992ish 16600. The omani dweller would also fall into serious consideration given it's illustrious history but I have not come across any. I am getting close though. The other side of my question was simply to get another 5970 in white gold as it really is the most perfect wrist watch I have ever worn. I went with the yellow gold model as it's the rarest and felt yellow gold upheld the legacy of its predecessors. The white is a GEORGEOUS model as well and is slightly more modest in white but the idea of having a Rolex that epitomizes the history if the tool aspect of the marque has quite an allure, thanks again for posting and for all thoughts here.....
I think you put your finger on it well....
.....I am not anti-Patek in any way. My 5070P is most definitely one of my favourite watches. Yet, having said that, there are some days when nothing other than a hardcore, tool-heavy, iconic Rolex will do....nothing can do it quite like a Rolex. Having said that, it is the beauty of diversification that allows that feeling to emerge. If all i had was a Sea-Dweller, the thrill of putting it on would diminish. But you are in a position where you already have a wonderful selection of PPs..... In that sense....which of your choices will give you the biggest marginal thrill?
I'll try to give you an answer ....
different from the one written on another forum ..
well a Patek watch like a " complicated " chrono is rare , with a stunning movement and btw quite cool to show at a party ( where almost everybody can well recognize it at first glance .. LLOOOL )
on the contrary a Comex ( or a UK milsub as well ) is not just a rare watch ... but moreover it's a symbol and a part of our recent history : you must wear it proudly just like Australian TV fictions that end each episode with the expression : " proudly Australian ".
well a Patek watch like a " complicated " chrono is rare , with a stunning movement and btw quite cool to show at a party ( where almost everybody can well recognize it at first glance .. LLOOOL )
on the contrary a Comex ( or a UK milsub as well ) is not just a rare watch ... but moreover it's a symbol and a part of our recent history : you must wear it proudly just like Australian TV fictions that end each episode with the expression : " proudly Australian ".
really sorry for this !!
to better explain my point of view .....
will do ASAP the english translation of another work written by me some years ago about Comex watches ( the title was something like : " Comex ... cult and mystique of a watch " )
will do ASAP the english translation of another work written by me some years ago about Comex watches ( the title was something like : " Comex ... cult and mystique of a watch " )