Explorer II vintage

The reference 1655 was engineered for a very narrow market in mind: cave explorers. The 24-hour hand should not be confused for a GMT hand since the bezel does not rotate; its sole purpose is to differentiate day and night time in places where the lack of natural light can be confusing. It was introduced in 1971 and was initially a slow seller, although its 1970s looks eventually garnered a cult following among Rolex collectors. This watch is often nicknamed the “Steve McQueen," although no proof can be found that the actor ever wore or owned this model. Its Italian nickname of “Freccione,” for big arrow, seems to describe this rare Rolex in the most accurate way possible, highlighting its most seducing feature.

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Rolex is the leading brand in Swiss luxury watches with iconic models such as the Datejust, Submariner, GMT-Master 2, Daytona, Day-Date, Oyster Perpetual, Sea-Dweller. Rolex enjoys an unrivalled reputation for excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer of the wristwatch since 1905 when it was founded by Hans Wilsdorf in London, the brand is at the origin of landmark innovations in watchmaking, including the first waterproof wristwatch - the Oyster - and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism. Its watches have accompanied explorers and achievers around the world, from the top of the highest mountains to the deepest reaches of the ocean. An independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches. Rolex is privately owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation since 1945 and situated in Geneva. In August 2023 Rolex acquired its largest retailer Bucherer and now owns a direct distribution channel besides it global retail partnerships.