Quick answer
A replica Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 copies a steel watch Rolex built from 1971 to 1985. The original has a 40 mm case, a fixed 24-hour steel bezel, an orange 24-hour hand, a matte black dial, and a plexiglass crystal. Copies sell for $60 to $500. The ones worth buying use a 40 mm case, an acrylic crystal, and a GMT movement that sets the 24-hour hand on its own. Cheap builds use a 39 mm case, mineral glass, and an orange hand locked to the hour hand.
fake rolex explorer 2 1655 vs real
Original ref. 1655 specs
- Production: 1971 to 1985.
- Case: stainless steel, 40 mm, Oyster shape, crown guards.
- Bezel: fixed steel, 24-hour scale, engraved numerals filled with black paint.
- Dial: matte black. "ROLEX" and "OYSTER PERPETUAL" below 12. "EXPLORER II" above 6, with "SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED" beneath it.
- Hands: orange arrow-tip 24-hour hand, steel hour, minute, and seconds hands.
- Crystal: domed acrylic.
- Movement: caliber 1575, 26 jewels, 19,800 vph, date with no quick set.
- Water resistance: 100 m.
- Bracelet: Oyster 7836 or 78360, 20 mm lugs, folded clasp.
Rolex built the 1655 for cave research and polar travel. The 24-hour hand and fixed bezel let a wearer track day and night without turning the bezel. Collectors call it the Freccione, Italian for big arrow. The "Steve McQueen" name came from the resale market. Photos show the actor with a Submariner, not an Explorer II.
Fake Rolex Explorer II 1655: Buyer's Guide & Authentication Info
What to check on a copy
- Bezel depth. Numerals on the original are cut into the steel. Laser-etched bezels on copies look flat under light.
- Orange hand. The tip is an arrow. Paint is deep orange. Many copies run red or bright neon.
- Dial text. "EXPLORER II" sits above 6. Copies that print it under 12 copy the later 16550 layout.
- Crystal. The original is acrylic. Sapphire on a copy adds thickness and flattens the dome.
- Case size. Measure the width. 40 mm plus or minus 0.5 mm is right. A 39 mm case sits small on a 7 inch wrist.
- Lug shape. Lugs taper toward the tips. Thick slab lugs point to a low grade case.
- Bracelet. Hollow links and a folded clasp match the period. Solid links with a flip-lock do not.
Movements in replicas
Three movements show up in 1655 copies. The Asian 2813 with a bolt-on GMT plate is the cheapest. On this build the 24-hour hand often moves with the hour hand. The ETA 2836-2 and its Asian clone give a working GMT hand at 28,800 vph. The Seiko NH34 is a true GMT: the crown sets the 24-hour hand, power reserve is 41 hours, and the beat is 21,600 vph. Cases cut for the NH34 sit 1 mm to 2 mm thicker than the original.
Why Buy a Fake Rolex Explorer 2 1655?
Price tiers
- $60 to $120: Asian 2813, mineral glass, painted bezel, wrong dial text.
- $150 to $280: 2836 clone GMT, sapphire or acrylic, better bezel, 40 mm case.
- $300 to $500: ETA 2836-2 or NH34, acrylic crystal, engraved bezel, hollow link bracelet.
Limits of any copy
No copy matches the original case profile, dial print, or tritium lume. Service is the other issue. The movement needs a clean and oil at 3 to 5 year gaps. Water resistance is not tested at the factory on most builds. Keep a copy away from pools and salt water unless a watchmaker replaces the gaskets and pressure tests the case.