My grail, personally🧡. I wake up everyday and I realise I actually own it, then, I feel lucky.

That 1655 is a magical watch, which is why I really hope that for 50th anniversary Rolex will return the watch to it’s original form.

@DrRolexPhD

3 жыл бұрын

Keep dreamin!

Re: my last about Omni - the tag line for the advert was something like "What's good enough for Steve!!"

I will not be rich enough to afford a 1655 for at least 10 years , I know you think Steinhart's are shitters but I got a butik edition in 39 mm great watch for the price and it just fuels my passion even more to own one.The 1655 is my grail and it will be mine.

@scorpianbliz

2 жыл бұрын

At least the steinhart is an actual dual timezone watch...

Would love it if they release something directly inspired by this 1655 for the 50th anniversary.

In the 1970's there was a glossy expensive science magazine called 'OMNI'. From memory, there was a full page Rolex advert. It had a photo of Steve Mqueen, sipping coffee and smoking. On his wrist was his Rolex Submariner 5513. The advert band at the bottom of the photo - was advertising the Rolex 1655 Explorer.

@watchsymposium

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, that could explain the popular misconception about the 1655 being McQueen's Rolex. He was indeed a Sub guy, from what I've heard.

I owned a 1655 from 1978 until the prices got stupid and I sold it in 1997. But I missed its unique look. So now I'm sporting an OLKO Special Edition Steinhart Ocean GMT and I LOVE it. I has the same look as my old Rolex, but it was $500...and It is a better watch!

@watchsymposium

10 ай бұрын

I wouldn't feel comfortable knocking around with a 1655. So, the Steinhart is a great low-stress option. Cool that you've owned a 1655 - that's a hell of a watch to have on your horological resume.

@007Chancellor

10 ай бұрын

@@watchsymposium I went in to buy a Submariner! But the unique look of the Explorer II caught my eye. I truly loved that watch! But now I love my Steiny. There's something about that dial layout and steel bezel that just appeals to my eye - and always has.

Great insight

I’m a bit slow so I used the gmt hand for military time at work so I wouldn’t mind the 1655 since it checks off the aesthetic and function for me

Cool looking relic....a complication ahead of its time. Best feature is the over sized cyclops crystal. Dial markings make it a unique curiosity. 👍 I like the size proportions and at the time wasn’t priced as high as the Submariner.

This watch was ahead of its time in my opinion. it was too brutal for a rolex in the 70s, Today however its beautifully rugged!

I would love to have that watch in my collection, unique and a Rolex!

Question for anyone who has knowledge of the 16550; Was the factory release for the WHITE DIAL16550 gold hands? Or when did Rolex introduce the black hands? Trying to nail down dial and hands details on the 16550.

@watchsymposium

3 жыл бұрын

I've seen quite a few polar 16550's with the black painted hands and indices. The 16550 was only around for 3 or 4 years, and it seems that it's just the early 16650's that had the unpainted gold hands. I think they started painting the hands and indices around the same time they corrected the white paint on the dial that had the habit of turning cream, making the "panna dials".

@paulthorpe766

3 жыл бұрын

First 1655 had a more reddish gmt hand and straight second hand. It's never been bettered imho - the font on the early bezels is fab and the floating square hands (eg black to pinion) is spot on. 16550 early ones had silver gold hands and hr marker surrounds but to my eyes it's lost it charm by then...1655 Albino (eg everything's gone monochrome through age) has a lovely aesthetic too.

Explorer 2 my favorite watch,+JC Deepsea.

Regardless of the 'purity' you argue, if 'Explorer III' hits only some of the 1655 aesthetics (and ballpark size) it could only be a winner. Also, if they rebirthed the 1655 (agreed unlikely) would it ever work in white?

Thank you for the video! yes the 16550 became a GMT and lost its mojo... saved possibly by the panna dials, but the 1655 is an amazing design, perhaps all wrong, but sooooo right. thanks again,

It's The 50TH Anniversary Of The Explorer.

I agree! I dont think you're gonna see a remake of the original! Rolex seems to always moves forward! But it may have some flavor from the original!

@scorpianbliz

2 жыл бұрын

No always...they went back to 36mm for the latest iteration of the Explorer...

As great as the 1655 is, I feel like we'd discount it back in the 70s like everyone else. A grail today nonetheless.

I like the dark face of that old Explorer ll, the 1655. It would be nice to wear in a man cave. LOL 😉

Caver? Wtf? 😂 Times makes uglies beautiful

Rolex could put out a turd shaped watch as long it's in SS. And we still won't be able to buy it.