What the 1655 Is
Rolex built the Explorer II reference 1655 from 1971 to 1985. It replaced no model in the line and was itself replaced by the 16550. The case is stainless steel, about 39.5 mm wide, with 20 mm lugs. The crystal is domed acrylic. The bezel is fixed steel with a 24-hour scale and does not turn. The orange arrow hand reads 24-hour time and moves with the regular hour hand. It cannot be set on its own. The date has no quickset. Italian collectors named it the Freccione. A 1971 photo of Steve McQueen wearing one produced the Steve McQueen nickname.
Check the 24-Hour Hand First
Most replica 1655s use a GMT movement with an independent 24-hour hand and a quickset crown position. The genuine caliber 1575 has neither. If the seller shows a GMT hand that jumps on its own, or a third crown position for the date, the build copies the wrong movement. Check this before any other detail.
Numbers to Compare
- Case width: 39.5 mm, no crown guards
- Lug width: 20 mm
- Case thickness: 12.5 to 13 mm
- Crystal: domed acrylic, not flat sapphire
- Bezel: fixed, engraved steel, black markings
- Crown: screw-down Twinlock, 6 mm
- Movement: caliber 1575, 19,800 beats per hour
- Water resistance: 100 m original rating
- Bracelet: Oyster 7836, 380 end links, folded links
- Date: no cyclops, no magnifier
Dial Marks
Rolex used at least six dial versions between 1971 and 1985. Mark I dials carry a tall coronet and thin fonts. Mark II dials carry the Rail dial, where the C in CHRONOMETER and the R in CERTIFIED line up in two vertical columns. Later Marks change the font weight and the spacing of the word ROLEX. A listing that shows a Mark II dial on a 1983 case is a mismatch. Ask which Mark the seller is copying.
Pitfalls
- Quickset date. The real 1655 sets the date by cycling the hands 24 hours at a time.
- Crown guards. The 1655 has none. Many replicas reuse a Submariner case with guards.
- Sapphire crystal. The genuine watch uses acrylic with a dome.
- 28,800 bph movement. That is 8 beats per second. The 1575 runs at 19,800 bph, 5.5 beats per second.
- Case thickness above 13.5 mm. Thick GMT cases read wrong on the wrist.
- Printed bezel insert. The 1655 bezel is engraved steel, not an aluminum insert.
- Cyclops over the date. The 1655 has a bare date window.
What to Ask a Seller
Ask for a timestamped photo, a photo of the movement, and a timegrapher reading with rate and amplitude. Ask for the caseback removed and the inside of the caseback shown. Ask if the bracelet has folded links or solid links. Folded links match the 7836. Solid links do not.
explorer 1655 fake rolex price
Price and Risk
Replica 1655s sell for $120 to $500. High-end builds with a modified 2836 movement reach $800. Genuine examples at auction bring $25,000 to $90,000 based on dial Mark and condition. US law bans import of counterfeit goods, and Customs can seize a shipment. Sellers who ship free often ship from overseas, so add 10 to 20 days for delivery. Expect no warranty and no service support.