Community Stories

Any Explorer II 1655 Owners / Fans?

trackpad
Posts
707
Likes
1,041
Strange how high the prices of these are relative to the amount of attention or mindshare they command. I don’t feel like these quite get the attention they deserve.

The dial design, nutty as it is, really appeals to me and feels uniquely of the decade in which it was born. Not to mention the beefier case. They are also aging in many cases quite beautifully, and differently.

78065147-2E84-4760-A395-3EA0D9B72388.jpeg

(Photo from HQM, where they are of course available.)

For those who don’t know, these are more like the rough-knuckled, cave-diving cousin of a 1675 ...and share almost no genetic material with the scrawny, spectacle wearing, expedition financier that it's connected to by name.

If you’re interested, there is a great write-up over at Fratello.

And ...here’s a photo of a 1655 spooning a 1675.

426B9115-6066-442C-9D51-AB5A93932A00.jpeg


What a cool watch this would be to own.
 
alam
Posts
8,233
Likes
19,403
trackpad trackpad
...They are also aging in many cases quite beautifully, and differently....
..great looking dials these aging 1655s have for sure... 🥰

and yes....!

😀
 
Screen Shot 2017-09-16 at 11.13.57 AM.png
sensui
Posts
249
Likes
649
An owner and a fan of the funky look....big I told you so from a buddy of mine when I eventually bought one when I initially shunned it lol...now can't stop loving mine:

 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,041
Likes
27,348
This is the watch that got me into liking watches. Indirectly it got me into my 3313, after not liking the re-edition.

That being said they bubbled hard. Also after I think the Frattelo article pointed out the readability issue with it I sort of fell out of love.
 
Overgrower
Posts
269
Likes
200
I'm a big fan, they're the most unique dials for Rolex sport watches. When I was researching on buying one I realized that there's a lot of fake cases and dials. As always one has to do their due diligence on vintage Rolex!
 
trackpad
Posts
707
Likes
1,041
Foo2rama Foo2rama
That being said they bubbled hard.

Where are they in their price development...just not sure if you mean they are bubbling or have already peaked and have come down.

Foo2rama Foo2rama
Also after I think the Frattelo article pointed out the readability issue with it I sort of fell out of love.

Yeah, it is really a pretty quirky layout. So 1970's. But charming, and holding up design wise in a really unique way.

Would love to get one on the wrist. 😗
 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,041
Likes
27,348
trackpad trackpad
Where are they in their price development...just not sure if you mean they are bubbling or have already peaked and have come down.



Yeah, it is really a pretty quirky layout. So 1970's. But charming, and holding up design wise in a really unique way.

Would love to get one on the wrist. 😗

They rose from obscurity about 10 years ago, and are about 2/3 the price if not less from then. Pretty sure it's about the time the Italian collectors nicknamed it the Steve McQueen even though he never owned one or has a picture wearing one.
 
trackpad
Posts
707
Likes
1,041
Foo2rama Foo2rama
They rose from obscurity about 10 years ago, and are about 2/3 the price if not less from then. Pretty sure it's about the time the Italian collectors nicknamed it the Steve McQueen even though he never owned one or has a picture wearing one.

Interesting. Hey it worked with Newman!... why not?
 
jaguar11
Posts
2,710
Likes
17,410
I like the quirky 70's dial on these and they are very distinctive. I was once offered a swap on one of there with a Sea-Dweller I owned many years ago. I sometimes think I should have done the swap rather than taken the money....
 
swish77
Posts
212
Likes
566
Foo2rama Foo2rama
They rose from obscurity about 10 years ago, and are about 2/3 the price if not less from then. Pretty sure it's about the time the Italian collectors nicknamed it the Steve McQueen even though he never owned one or has a picture wearing one.

Less pricey now than 10 years ago? Not sure I've seen that. You need $17K-$18K to get a really nice, original example nowadays, $20K and up for exceptional ones, especially a straight hand.

I've had an MK2 1655 for several years and it's by far my favorite vintage Rolex reference with a date. That dial is ridiculous, in a good way. So cool and funky.
 
Foo2rama
Posts
18,041
Likes
27,348
swish77 swish77
Less pricey now than 10 years ago? Not sure I've seen that. You need $17K-$18K to get a really nice, original example nowadays, $20K and up for exceptional ones, especially a straight hand.

I've had an MK2 1655 for several years and it's by far my favorite vintage Rolex reference with a date. That dial is ridiculous, in a good way. So cool and funky.
They where up in the 30's for awhile.
 
adam78
Posts
3,849
Likes
27,363
I'm a fan. I hate when sellers/dealers call the orange hand a GMT hand. It most definitely is not, as the bezel is stationary.
 
DSCF4641.JPG
KarlFr
Posts
8
Likes
18
I´ve had a few and this 1984 one is my latest find. They are a bit difficult to read for some, but I think they wear great and have a very special cool look 😀
IMG_1482.jpg
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

watch_my_six

Rolex Explorer II 1655 for everyday wear, or run?

watch_my_six Rolex Watches
TorontoTim
TorontoTim
Posts
33
Views
3K
gbesq

For Our Ranchero Owners/Fans

gbesq Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
gbesq
gbesq
Posts
31
Views
5K
Amg786s

Rolex Explorer II 1655 MK2, Steel, 1978, Freccione & Rail Dial, Box/Manual/Tags, No papers, Rare

Amg786s Private Watch Sales
watch_my_six
watch_my_six
Posts
3
Views
6K
B

Should I keep this $24,000 Explorer II 1655 from Tourneau?

backpackerx Rolex Watches
ATWG
ATWG
Posts
21
Views
4K
Burr

Rolex Explorer II 1655 with second hand lume dot further out?

Burr Rolex Watches
igatomic
igatomic
Posts
9
Views
3K
Clockworld

Rolex Explorer II 1655 MRK1

Clockworld Wanted To Buy
MPWATCH
MPWATCH
Posts
2
Views
450