Rolex Explorer II 1655 MK1 Lollipop Freccione Albino Vintage 1973 (Full-Set/Serviced)

Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 "Freccione," MK1 dial with albino GMT hand, serial 3.5 million, full set with box and papers

Rolex Explorer II

Rolex needs little introduction. The brand has been making watches since the early 1900s and has built a reputation over decades for producing reliable, well-engineered tool watches. Their steel sports models in particular have held up well over time, both in terms of durability and collector interest. Rolex produces watches at scale but maintains consistent quality control, which is part of why their watches tend to hold value better than most.

The Explorer II was introduced in 1971 and was designed with cave explorers and spelunkers in mind, people who work in environments where you can lose track of whether it is day or night. The reference 1655 was the first Explorer II ever made and ran through the 1970s into the early 1980s. It has a fixed 24-hour bezel, a large orange GMT hand (often called the "Freccione," meaning big arrow in Italian), and a relatively large 40mm case for its era. The movement inside, the caliber 1570, is a solid and well-regarded automatic movement that Rolex used across several models during that period.

The 1655 has become one of the more sought-after vintage Rolex references among collectors. It has a distinctive look that is immediately recognizable, and original examples with matching, unrestored dials and hands are increasingly hard to find. The watch sits at an interesting crossroads between being a functional GMT tool watch and a serious vintage collectible, which gives it broad appeal across different types of buyers.

Key Details To Consider

The Rolex Explorer II reference 1655, known among collectors as the "Freccione," is one of the more sought-after references in the Explorer line. This example is all original and presents in very good overall condition, making it a strong find for anyone looking for an honest, unmodified example of this reference.

The steel case retains thick, razor-sharp lugs, which is a key indicator of how well a 1655 has held up over time. The case was professionally polished by a Rolex-certified polisher in September 2026, and the results show. The proportions and lines are clean without any signs of over-polishing or rounding. All case numbers remain fully legible, and the serial number dates this piece to the 3.5 million range.

The dial is an original MK1 configuration, complete with the lollipop seconds hand and the rare albino GMT hand, which is a detail that collectors specifically seek out on this reference. The tritium plots are all intact, and the hands match well, showing consistent and appropriate aging for a watch of this age. The overall condition of the dial is excellent.

The fixed 24-hour bezel, a defining feature of the 1655, is in excellent condition as well. The oyster bracelet retains all 12 links and shows no stretch, which is notably good for a bracelet of this vintage.

The movement, caliber 1570, was serviced in September 2026 and is running properly. This watch comes with its original box and papers, with the papers punched and stamped from a European Rolex authorized dealer, adding a meaningful layer of provenance to an already well-documented piece.

Inquire about this item