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Explorer II Reference 1655
"Freccione / Steve McQueen"
Designed not for mountain climbers but for spelunkers — cave explorers who spend days underground and lose track of day versus night. The fixed 24-hour bezel and bold orange arrow hand let the wearer instantly distinguish AM from PM. The nickname "Freccione" is Italian for "big arrow" — a reference to the dramatic orange GMT hand. The "Steve McQueen" moniker is largely apocryphal; the actor was photographed in one but didn't significantly contribute to its legend. Black or white ("Polar") dials were offered. A boldly different direction from the clean, understated Explorer I.
Notable: Designed for cavers, not climbers. The large orange arrow hand is one of the most distinctive in Rolex's catalogue.
Technical Specification
| Reference | 1655 |
| Production years | 1971–1985 |
| Case diameter | 40 mm |
| Case material | Oyster steel |
| Movement | Cal. 1570 → Cal. 1575 |
| Jewels | 26 |
| Frequency | 18,000 bph |
| Power reserve | 40h |
| Crystal | Acrylic (plexiglass) |
| Water resistance | 100m |
| Bracelet | Oyster 93150 / leather strap |
| Lume | Tritium |
| Dial colour | Matte black or white ("Polar") |
| Numerals | 3–6–9–12 Arabic plus 24-hour bezel |
| Hands | Large arrow-tipped 24-hour orange GMT hand ("Freccione"), Mercedes hour, baton minute |
| Crown | Triplock Oyster screwed crown |
| Date | Yes — date at 3 o'clock with Cyclops |
| Bezel | Fixed stainless steel 24-hour engraved bezel |
| Serial range | 2xxxxxx – 8xxxxxx |
Variants & Production Marks
Black dial
White "Polar" dial (rarer)