Watches Weekly | Rolex and Audemars Piguet
Watches Weekly | Rolex and Audemars Piguet
ROLEX | EXPLORER II, REFERENCE 1655, A STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH 24 HOUR INDICATION, DATE AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1984
Lot Closed
April 8, 02:06 AM GMT
Estimate
160,000 - 200,000 HKD
Lot Details
Description
ROLEX
EXPLORER II, REFERENCE 1655
A STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH 24 HOUR INDICATION, DATE AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1984
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 8’096'413
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 39 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 187 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Rolex Garantie and presentation box
A wristwatch that was created specifically for a spelunker who often explored caves for multiple days in a week, the reference 1655 allows an explorer to identify the time between morning and night through its 24-hour hand and bezel. Uniquely designed with an arrow tipped hand to ensure optimal legibility in the dark. The Explorer II is a highly sought-after vintage Rolex tool watch amongst collecting circles.
It is interesting to note that the present example is fitted with a MK1 dial that is usually found on a watch with a much earlier serial number. One can differentiate the various dials due to the design of the Coronet.