====== Rolex Explorer II 1655 ======
{{wst>image_r|Rolex_Explorer_II|Rolex Explorer II 16570 (black)}}
  *See Also [[Rolex Explorer II]]

**Ref. 1655** was the original **[[Rolex Explorer II]]** produced between [[1971]] and [[1985]].

===== Overview =====
[[Rolex]] introduced the [[Rolex Explorer II|Explorer II]] series in [[1971]] as an addition to the [[1954]] [[Rolex Explorer|Explorer]]. It features an additional 24-hour indication that can also be used as a [[second time-zone]]. This 24-hour indication, among other things, has been designed with regard to professional cavers, for whom a reliable temporal orientation independent of the outside world is of the utmost importance. Accordingly, at the design of the dial a special emphasis was put on excellent readability, even in the dark. In contrast to the [[Rolex GMT-Master|GMT-Master]] or the [[Rolex Submariner|Submariner]], the [[bezel]] of the Explorer II does not rotate, but is fixed and has a scale of 24 hours.

This original Explorer II uses a 39 mm case very similar to the contemporary [[Rolex GMT-Master 1675|GMT-Master Ref. 1675]]. In keeping with its sporting intent, it used an [[Oyster bracelet]] and featured [[crown guard]]s. The bezel is marked with numerals at even numbers between 2 and 24 and bars between. The dial features many [[lume]] markers, with a large triangle at 12 00, large bar markers at 6 00 and 9 00, smaller bars at the other hours, and square markers outside the marker circle at the half-hours. There is a date window at 3 00 with a [[cyclops]] magnifier. The hands are simple sticks, with the [[24 hour hand]] being a thick orange or red arrow.

The 24 hour hand gives this model its nickname. This original Explorer II reference is sometimes called "Freccione", meaning "arrow" in Italian. Although only the earliest Explorer II models have a true orange hand, the red hand on later examples has usually faded to an orange color as well. Although there is no record of him wearing this reference, the watch is also sometimes called a "Steve McQueen".

The Explorer II is powered by the [[self-winding]] movement [[Rolex 1575|Cal. 1575GMT]], shared with the [[Rolex GMT-Master 1675|GMT-Master Ref. 1675]]. In contrast to later models, the 24 hour hand is not independently adjustable. Since the bezel is also fixed, this means that the Ref. 1655 Explorer II is not a [[GMT]] or [[second timezone]] watch.


<WRAP ud ud_mod>

**Reference:**
  * 1655 (steel)
  * Production [[1971]]-[[1985]]
  * Successor [[Rolex Explorer II 16550]]

**Movement:**
  * [[Rolex 1757]], [[self-winding]] 19,800 A/h
  * Certified [[chronometer]] ([[COSC]])
  * 26 [[jewels]]
  * [[Power reserve]] 48 hours

**Case:**
  * [[Oyster]] case, [[stainless steel]]
  * Ø 39 mm
  * 24 hours [[bezel]] fixed
  * [[Plexiglass crystal]] with date loupe
  * [[Screw-in crown]]

**Dial:**
  * Black dial
  * Red or orange central 24-hours hand with white triangle as pointing arrow
  * Indexes and hands with [[luminous]] color 

**Functions:**
  * Hours, minutes, [[central seconds]], date
  * Central [[24-hour]] hand

**Bracelet:**
  * [[Oyster]] bracelet in [[stainless steel]] with [[folding clasp]]
</WRAP>

===== Literature =====
  *[[Das ZEITGEFÜHL-Uhrenbuch]]; Author [[Gerd-Lothar Reschke]]; ISBN 3-938607-61-0

===== Weblinks =====
  *[[http://www.uhrwald.de/explorer2.htm|Die Geschichte der Rolex Explorer II]], uhrwald.de (German)
  *[[http://www.r-l-x.de/wbb2/thread.php?threadid=79445|Zur Historie der Explorer II]], R-L-X-Forum (German)


{{tag>Watch_models GMT_watches Rolex_models Rolex_Explorer_models}}