Rolex
Reference 1655 Explorer II | A stainless steel automatic wristwatch with 24 hour indication, date, and bracelet, Circa 1983
Auction Closed
June 15, 08:08 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 1570 automatic, 26 jewels
Movement number: D'426'674
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 7'431'531
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 38 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 175 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
The Rolex Explorer II Reference 1655, produced circa 1983, remains one of the most distinctive and character‑driven sports watches of Rolex’s vintage era. Defined by its bold 24‑hour orange hand, fixed steel bezel, and densely printed dial, the 1655 was purpose‑built for explorers and spelunkers who required absolute clarity in low‑light environments. Its unconventional aesthetic—unlike any other Rolex of its time—has since earned it cult status among collectors.
Powered by the reliable Caliber 1575 and housed in a robust stainless‑steel case with Oyster bracelet, the present example captures the rugged charm and unmistakable identity that have made the 1655 one of the most sought‑after references in the Explorer lineage. With production spanning just over a decade and surviving examples appearing infrequently at auction, the reference continues to stand as a compelling expression of design‑driven watchmaking within Rolex’s tool‑watch history.