Short answer
A replica Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 costs $35 to $900 in the US market. Most units sell for $120 to $250. Movement type, case machining, and dial print set the price. The genuine reference was made from 1971 to 1985 and trades at auction for $40,000 and up.
Price tiers
- $35 to $80: quartz or 21-jewel automatic. Mineral glass. Stamped case. Weight near 90 g. Bezel numbers printed, not engraved.
- $120 to $250: automatic movement such as a Miyota 8205 or a DG3804B. Sapphire glass on some units. Applied logo. Lume is thin.
- $350 to $900: super clone tier. Modified ETA 2836 or a cloned 1575. Correct 39 mm case and 20 mm lugs. Orange 24-hour hand with the right shape. Black dial with correct font and marker size.
Specs the price should match
- Case: 39 mm steel. Fixed 24-hour bezel. No rotating click.
- Movement: Rolex used the 1575, a 25-jewel automatic. Replicas use a 2836, an 8215, or a clone.
- Hands: orange arrow 24-hour hand. The hour hand jumps in 1-hour steps on the real caliber.
- Bracelet: period examples came on an Oyster 7836 with 380 end links.
What changes the total
Shipping from China or Hong Kong adds $0 to $40. US customs can seize a shipment. A service on a clone movement runs $80 to $150 at an independent watchmaker. Water resistance is not tested on most replicas, so a pressure test costs $25 to $60 if a shop agrees to do it.
Is the Rolex Explorer 1655 Fake? How to Spot a Real Steve McQueen
Resale is low. Used replicas sell for 40 to 60 percent of the new price on forum classifieds. There is no factory warranty and no parts network.
Exploring the Fake Rolex Price in 1655
The name
The 1655 carries the nicknames "Steve McQueen" and "Freccione." Some sources link the name to photos of McQueen with an Explorer II. Other sources state the name came from marketing material. Auction houses list the reference under the Explorer II "Steve McQueen" title.
Rolex Explorer 1655 Replica Buying Guide
How to compare two quotes
- Ask for the movement name and jewel count.
- Ask for case width and lug width in mm.
- Ask for crystal material.
- Ask for dial photos at 10x.
- Ask about the return window and the payment method.
A listing that does not name the movement sits in the $35 to $80 tier. A listing with a movement name, case measurements, and macro photos sits in the $250 to $900 range.