Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1980 Reference No: 1655 Movement No: D469479 Case No: 6'476'592 Model Name: Explorer II Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 170 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 580 Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp Dimensions: 38 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Rolex Full One Year Service Warranty dated 23 May 2000 and Service Division box. Literature: For another example of a reference 1655, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 182.
Catalogue Essay
This example is from the second generation of reference 1655 as the seconds hand is fitted with the luminous lollipop. The watch is in excellent condition with an attractive dial, warm yellow luminous and a nice bright orange seconds hand. This is an honest and attractive example, with a milled finish to the top of the lugs and sharp case.
Founded 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.