{"product_id":"rolex-explorer-ii-1655-steve-mcqueen-mk4","title":"ROLEX EXPLORER II 1655 'STEVE MCQUEEN' MK4","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE ESSENTIALS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMAKE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ROLEX\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMODEL:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1655\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYEAR:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e1978\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBOX\/PAPERS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e YES\/YES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCASE DIAMETER:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e39mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCASE MATERIAL:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSTAINLESS STEEL\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBRACELET MATERIAL:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSTAINLESS STEEL\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMOVEMENT:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAUTOMATIC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Explorer 1655 was designed with a very specific audience in mind: cave explorers who, when working underground for extended periods in darkness, could easily lose their sense of time, particularly whether it was day or night. The introduction of a fixed 24-hour bezel and a large luminous 24-hour hand addressed this niche need. Combined with a rugged case, it became the perfect companion for adventurous pursuits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHowever, much like the Paul Newman Daytonas with exotic dials, the 1655 wasn’t particularly popular at the time among retail customers. Most watches then were elegant and simple, whereas this model was often described as “cluttered” and “illegible” by both collectors and writers. Fifty years later, the story has changed completely, and the 1655 has become one of the most sought-after vintage Rolex models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eCuriously, the watch carries the nickname “Steve McQueen” because he was depicted wearing the 1655 in various advertisements, although he never actually wore one; he was more often seen with a 5512 Submariner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFast-forward to today, and the model has gained significant traction among Rolex collectors and vintage enthusiasts. The 1655 is becoming increasingly difficult to source, both for the reasons above and because many were used as intended. Finding complete and original examples in great condition is no easy task.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis particular piece dates to 1978 and features a Mk4 dial and Mk3 bezel, perfectly aligned with its serial. The original 78360\/580 Oyster bracelet, stamped VC for 1978, is one link short. The case has been polished, but the lugs remain nice and full. The tritium markers and hands have aged to a lovely medium cream tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe watch comes complete with its inner and outer boxes, wallet, booklet, translation papers, and punched guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe movement came to us in great health and is running at +4 s\/day, with an amplitude of 285° and a beat error of 0.3 ms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2027\" data-end=\"2213\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56459932533122,"sku":null,"price":21750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/9201\/0882\/files\/ROLEXEXPLORERII1655_STEVEMCQUEEN_MK4.jpg?v=1773943677","url":"https:\/\/falco-watches.com\/products\/rolex-explorer-ii-1655-steve-mcqueen-mk4","provider":"Falco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}