For collectors of vintage Rolex sports models, few models have captured their attention as much as COMEX models over the recent past. The present Rolex COMEX Sea-Dweller reference 16600 took part in HYDRA - LUDION missions 1 and 2, historical undersea missions whose purpose was to study a new deep diving process using hydrogen instead of helium. This new process would allow faster decompression times for divers along with greater flexibility for deep dives. These missions were conducted by five professional, class III divers amongst which was Christian Planchat, who was given the present watch to be worn during these missions in 1998 and 1999. Over these two years, Planchat was diving to depths ranging from 100 to 300 meters.

All original, the present watch is presented today in excellent condition and is accompanied with an impressive number of accessories: its original box, Rolex guarantee, hang tags, the Rolex anchor, product literature and is further accompanied by documentation describing the Hydra-Ludion missions, as well as other COMEX diving equipment its original owner used. All of these elements make it a unique opportunity to add a rare variant of the coveted “Comex" Sea-Dweller to one’s collection.