I have seen 3 variants of the Rolex Explorer II 1655 dial inscription at the bottom as follows: 1. T SWISS <25 T 2. T SWISS T 3. SWISS Does anyone know as to what corresponding production years these dials were used? Thanks
Sorry - not years - but I would expect the timeline to be: 2 1 3 With the last one as a factory replacement out of the ref. production period.
In general, service dials are never as desirable as the original. For the 1655, there are two types: A tritium "T Swiss < 25 T" (Mark 6) and luminova "Swiss" (Mark 7). Here is some more info on the dial variations: http://rolex.watchprosite.com/show-...74096/t-rolex-the-evolution-of-the-freccione/ http://www.network54.com/Forum/207593/thread/1323089170/1655+Dial+variants-
A nice 1655 dial with the assorted hands will cost you about 2.000 $, so you can take more off the value of the watch considering the risk and time lost.
Many thanks for t Many thanks for the info. This confirmed that the watch offered to me has a service dial. The seller was asking good money because the watch is complete with box and papers. Not interested anymore.
Here you go: up until 3.5mil series 1655...the case is thinner thus more desirable. The thin case of early 3mil cases with Mk.1 Dial up to 3.5mil cases with Mk.2 Dial could carry the Straight Hand... in certain markets originally in those days...but not all early 1655 have Straight Hand.
Reviving this as I'm researching this watch for a friend that wants to sell. So it looks at 3.5m serial I have an early mark 2 with the thin case. Quite desirable. Head only with box but no paper (as it seems the papers belong to a fat lady. Anyone has anything to add? What price should I recommend?
This is not an easy watch to vet. There are many fakes that were converted from GMT's to Explorer II, or worse. The bottom of the watch, where caseback meets midcase and the inner caseback fonts and alignments of fonts always need to be examined. So do the fonts and alignments of the fonts between the lugs. The bottom of the crown guards "look" like early case, but the the other details need examination. At best, this is Mk5 dial in an early case(which is an incorrect combination), and a Service bezel, which raises suspicion.
Beautiful watch but if the serial is 3.5 mil then you should have a mk 2 dial. As what pitro pointed out, a mk 5 dial is installed in the watch you are considering. Unless he is selling it for a bargain, I would pass knowing that there are still plenty of the 1655 for sale to choose from.
Good to know. I thought it was an MII dial. I got the movement and set pictures in this morning. Looks like it was serviced in 98 which may explain the dial and bezel if they have been serviced. Here they are:
Actually now that I have my glasses on I see the <25 so it does seem like a replacement dial as the 3.5 should be a mark 2 and this is at the very least a Mark 3 or I suppose 5. I can't really tell the difference with my knowledge but I assume the above posts listing as Mark V are accurate. Shame. So what would be a fair value for it then?
This is Not an early 1st series case either. It is the second series case. Compare this to the 6th picture above.
The case back looks ok to me.(there are a LOT of fakes out there) Here is a known good 5.3m from B&P's watch. The case back matches.(there are variations in the "good" caseback fonts and alignments also)
Not sure I'm seeing this one. Based on your pics I kinda think it's the first based on the fit. I don't have the watch with me right now as I sent it to be opened and photographed, but you can see on the shade of the case-back that there the fit is tight without extra case around it. Or am I missing something?
Ah wait, o do ha e this picture and it looks like you're right. So, so far I have here a second series 1972 correct watch with a service dial ( probably from 1998 service?) that is genuine but probably a mark 3 or 5 and perhaps also a genuine replacement bezel from the same year. In person the patina is nice and even amd the watch feels and works right. No bracelet, original box. What do you estimate is a good price? And also, THANK YOU, for your help!
It's a Mk5 dial not a Mk3 dial. Whether it ended up in there at service Is a guess. The bezel is a service bezel best I can tell, But it's not Mk1-Mk4. The case is second series. The price is for you to determine.