The Rolex Explorer is the brand’s most understated sports watch, often flying under the radar. However, with its rich history and very wearable look, the Explorer is a Rolex watch that shouldn’t be overlooked and it’s getting much appreciation by the watch community – see Ref. 1016 for the Explorer I and this Ref. 1655 for the Explorer II. The Explorer’s official story famously takes shape with Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s pioneering ascent to Mount Everest in 1953.
Rolex unveiled the Explorer II, as the larger sibling to the original Explorer I, in 1971 with the introduction of the Ref. 1655, which was produced between 1971 and 1984. Aimed at a specific group of people – spelunkers, cavers, volcanologists and polar or jungle explorers - and being one of Rolex’s most unusual watches in terms of style - it features alternative lume markers and a bright orange 24-hour GMT hand to ensure optimal legibility in the dark such as caves -, it did not gain much popularity.
Thanks to this low popularity back in the time, today this reference is one of the most sough-after watches amongst collectors.
Also called “Freccione”, derived from the Italian word for arrow, “freccia,” which is in reference to its famous arrow-tipped hand. Another popular nickname of the Explorer II Ref. 1655 is the controversial “Steve McQueen” label. There actually isn’t any photographic evidence that Steve McQueen ever sported an Explorer II. Nevertheless, the Explorer II ref. 1665 will forever be known as the Steve McQueen.
