Rolex
explorer 2 steve mcqueen - freccione vintage

Vintage pre-owned Rolex Explorer II watch, reference 1655 circa 1980 — a rare luxury and collectible timepiece nicknamed Explorer Steve McQueen, Arancione or Freccione in the world of watch collecting and auctions. This watch, launched in 1971 and discontinued in 1985, offered Rolex an alternative to the GMT-Master model for travelers and explorers seeking a more compact and discreet 24-hour display watch without a rotating bezel.

This watch, produced in limited quantities, went through four evolutions during its production: the 1971 version had a seconds hand without a luminous circle. In 1973, it gained a lollipop-style seconds hand. The third evolution — the one presented here — introduced a folded-link Oyster bracelet (earlier models had riveted bracelets) and a fixed 24-hour bezel with more pronounced engravings. The final version featured dial updates to match the brand’s new graphic standards, with a serif font and a differently drawn Rolex crown logo.

Signed 40 mm stainless steel case with screw-down back and crown guard shoulders. Iconic arrow-tipped hands filled with tritium, orange 24-hour "freccione arancione" hand, and lollipop-style seconds hand. Original steel bracelet reference 78360 with signed folding clasp and 580 end links (both clasp and links are adjustable to fit any wrist). The screw-down caseback is engraved inside with "Montres Rolex SA, Geneva Switzerland Patented, Stainless Steel 1655."

Screw-down crown with Rolex seal and waterproof joint system — an innovation at the time enhancing water resistance. The 20 mm lugs are drilled to allow easy bracelet changes. (Many aficionados of this classically styled model wear it with a luxurious leather strap or a NATO strap for a more casual summer look.)

Highly legible black dial with tritium luminous markers (marked "T Swiss >25" at the bottom of the dial), double railroad-style hour track in 12 and 24-hour formats. Luminous square indices mark odd hours, baton indices for even hours, and a date window at 3 o'clock. Top of the dial reads "Rolex Explorer II Oyster Perpetual Date", while the lower half reads "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" beneath the central axis.

Self-winding movement with 26 jewels, signed and numbered, operating at 19,800 beats per hour. Bi-directional rotor, Breguet hairspring and KIF Ultraflex shock protection. (A reliable, robust, and precise movement also found in the Submariner and Oyster Datejust models of the same era.) The movement features a date function and "stop-seconds" mechanism for precise synchronization. Dual time indication on 12 and 24-hour tracks with the ability to set the offset of the 24-hour orange arrow hand, known as the Freccione. This movement is COSC-certified as a chronometer, as stated on the dial.

From a collector’s standpoint, this hard-to-find timepiece is one of the most sought-after Rolex watches on the market and regularly achieves record prices at prestigious auction houses. A quintessential Rolex of the 1980s, its discreet and classic design allows it to be worn with formal attire thanks to its slim profile, while still providing valuable information for travelers or remote professionals. It has long been a favorite for those working across multiple time zones. It is also one of British actor Jason Statham's go-to watches, often seen on his wrist in daily life. This growing popularity has helped steadily increase its value over the decades, pushing both the current Rolex Explorer II ref. and its predecessors to new heights.