Question on rolex 1655

[m33pok]

can't find detailed information on the net about this...maybe some gurus can help me

For example which mark1,2,3 etc dial belongs to the watch with what serial? how to identify which dial is which mark?
which range of serial number of 1655 comes with straight second hand?

thanks in advance

[Oceanklassik]

These queries beg the valuable information from the "vintage gurus" like caeden and edimars. Be patient and wait for the responses, or PM them.

[caeden]

Lazy to type now....hahaha

Go enjoy your weekend!!

[caeden]

OK...OK

The Rolex Explorer II 1655

It is known as "FRECCIONE"...which means "The Big Arrow", due to the HUGE orange 24 hour hand.

It is also known as "Steve McQueen", I have no idea why...as there are no pictures of him, ever wearing this model. Rather, he is always pictured wearing a Rolex Submariner 5512.

The 1655 was produced from 1971 until about 1984.

There are 5 different versions that were created, with differences between the case and hands between the first two series & the successive ones, with difference between dials and bezels in all 5 versions produced.

Approximately during the first 3 years of production, the second hand has no luminous ball, therefore called the “straight hand” and a case with thinner crown guards. The dial contains the writing “T SWISS T”.

There are subtle graphical differences between the first and second batch, most specifically on the crown at 12 o’clock.
The 24 hour hand in the first 3 years is generally red, which is clear from catalogs from that era, but today nearly all examples have a discoloration of the 24 hour hand, due to the effect of time vary from orange to yellow and at times even towards white.

The first dial (the first two years) features thick graphics which are slightly off-center towards the internal part of the rim (thick font top), while on the second, the alignment of the numbers is centered (thick font center).
During the first years of production we find combinations of dials from the first series with Bezels from the second and vice-versa with second production dials and first series Bezels.

Starting in about 1974 the crown guards became larger and stubbier, in line with the production of the other Rolex models. At the same time a new production of dial is born with more stylish graphics, called the “Rail dial” which underscores the alignment of the lower writing of the chronometer certification, creating the effect of a central track between the words of the first and second line. We can find this dial on watches between 1974 and 1977. The dial contains the writing “T SWISS<25T”.

The bezels from 1974-1975 are always the second series (thick font centered), from 1977 will be a third series with a new thinner graphic (thin font full). The second hand has a luminous ball and the 24 hour hand is now orange or red.

Between 1977 and the beginning of 1978, modifications to first the bezel and then the dial were gradually introduced. The bezel becomes as mentioned above, a third series with thinner graphics (thin font full), the dial has a thinner and longer crown, a soft graphic and above all the wording “T SWISS<25 T” to indicate the percentage of radioactive material less than 25 millicuries.

In the early 1980s the third series bezel was substituted with a fourth series (thin font reduced) recognizable by a more squared graphic and different characters.

Dial Variants

MK1 ~ 1971-1973 (2.5mil-3.5mil) All Straight Second Hand
MK2 ~ 1972-1977 (2.9mil-5.5mil) Some Straight Second Hand
MK3 ~ 1974-1977 (3.5mil-5.5mil) Rail Dial
MK4 ~ 1977-1980 (5.5mil-6.5mil)
MK5 ~ 1979-1984 (6.0mil-8.4mil)
MK6 ~ Early Luminova replacements with T SWISS<25 T
MK7 ~ Later Luminova replacements with SWISS

The bracelet in the early productions is folded link 7836 with 280 or 380 endlinks, and from 1974, replaced with solid link 78360 with 580 endlinks.

How to tell which Mark is which, that takes a longer time...Another time!

Cheers!

[Oceanklassik]

See what I mean..

[KuchingKu]

http://rolex.watchprosite.com/?show=...&ti=554811&s=0

Here you go. Google is a good friend.

[m33pok]

caeden must thank you for the detailed write up
anyway where did you manage to get such detailed information? you memorised?

and to all those that replied also thank you
cheers!

[m33pok]

The first dial (the first two years) features thick graphics which are slightly off-center towards the internal part of the rim (thick font top), while on the second, the alignment of the numbers is centered (thick font center).

errm caeden bro don't quite understand this... what does the this graphics here refers to?

thanks

[KuchingKu]

The first dial (the first two years) features thick graphics which are slightly off-center towards the internal part of the rim (thick font top), while on the second, the alignment of the numbers is centered (thick font center).

errm caeden bro don't quite understand this... what does the this graphics here refers to?

thanks

Think he was not referring to the dial but the bezel or is it the rail markings. I stand corrected.

[m33pok]

i got a bit confused also...

[singapore_nomad]

great posts and information!
Where does the "rail dial" pre 1975 come into the equation?