217
Rolex
Ref. 1655
Explorer II
A fine and rare stainless steel dual time wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$80,000 - 120,000
HK$93,750
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1982
- Reference No
- 1655
- Movement No
- D886435
- Case No
- 7'352'044
- Model Name
- Explorer II
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster</em> bracelet, 180 mm. maximum length, end links stamped 580
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex</em> folding deployant clasp, reference 78360
- Dimensions
- 38 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed </em>
- Accessories
- With <em>Rolex</em> International Service Guarantee dated 16 June 2015, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Rolex initially introduced the Explorer in the early 1950s and the reference evolved into the present reference 1655 with hack feature in the early 1970s.
The present watch is from the second generation as it is fitted with the sweep centre seconds with luminous lollipop. In very original and attractive condition, the watch is an excellent example of the famed Steve McQueen Explorer II.
The present watch is from the second generation as it is fitted with the sweep centre seconds with luminous lollipop. In very original and attractive condition, the watch is an excellent example of the famed Steve McQueen Explorer II.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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