ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REFERENCE 1655STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH 24-HOUR INDICATION, DATE AND BRACELET CIRCA 1983

Dial: blackCalibre: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels Movement number: D'596'425Case: stainless steel Oyster, screw-down crown and backCase number: 7'429'176Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with integrated folding claspDimensions: 40mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 180mm Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: card holder, booklets and presentation case

DIAL: both dial and hands in good condition. Indexes and hands have lost their luminescence and have an even and uniform colour. The orange explorer hand infil is slightly cracked. CASE: in good condition overall. With some light scuffs and scratches throughout consistent with age and wear. The black colour infil of the numerals on the bezel has worn off in multiple places. There is a larger scratch on the bezel around the 9 o'clock position. Scratching to the underside of the lugs where the bracelet has been removed. MOVEMENT: running at the time of cataloguing. Date advancing. Bracelet/clasp: 78360; endlinks: 580 Booklets and calendar dated between 1984 and 1989 as the watch was sold at that time. The watch has not been tested to determine the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion. Please note Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The online condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance purposes only. The images of the lot also form part of the online condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Any reference to condition in the online condition report does not amount to a full description of condition. The online condition report may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the online condition report of the lot or shown in the online images of the lot (for example, the online condition report may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome). Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. The online condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the online condition report is a statement of subjective, qualified opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's (for example, information regarding colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's). Please also note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and wrist bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. In addition, certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot (for example, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades). For these reasons, the online condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. Prospective buyers should also refer to the Buying at Auction guide which includes important notices concerning the type of property in this sale. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species. Please be advised that wristbands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS (ONLINE ONLY).

The reference 1655 was launched by Rolex in 1971 until 1984, and is known to collectors as the 'Steve McQueen'. This name derives from the actor's status as an icon of style at the time of the watch's production. It is also called 'Freccione' as a short form for 'Orange hand'.  The layout of the dial of the Reference 1655 went through several evolutions. 
The present one, in excellent condition and with an extremely pleasant cream patina, is characteristic of the ultimate version, known as 'Mark V' by collectors. It has a narrow coronet with a rounder 'O' at its base at 12 o'clock and the 'T Swiss < 25T' at 6 o'clock. As opposed to the service dials, the foot of the 'R' of Rolex is slightly curved.  

It is further presented at auction on behalf of its original and only owner. It may be suggested, given the fact the watch remained with the retailer for 6 years prior to its sale, that the reference 1655 was not particularly popular at the time.

This piece is an ideal combination of a collectible watch that can also be worn and enjoyed.