Comments:
You were there when I bought it!!!
What a moment!
A jewel in my modest Vintage Rolex Collection.
Thanks for your nice words, Hermano.
Nicolas
Things are not easy, with the 1655.
I waited a long time before finding the nice patina, the good condition on a 1655...
Then I saw that the bracelet was also an important thing on this watch.
A Vintage one made the 1655 too cheap ( to say all, the Vintage bracelet was not in good condition, wich may explain this feeling ), while a modern was perfect.
This is a watch full of charm, Sister...
Try one if you can, and Love with knowk at your door!
Best,
Nicolas
Welcome here, by the way.
I look forward to hear more from you, now that you're here.
Best,
Nicolas.
The cause was noble, though.
But you start the " reconstruction " in a nice way.
I'm a big big fan of the 6542. Any chance to see pics of yours?
Best,
Nicolas
But I would not change any of the words I wrote...
As I said, I tried many before finding MINE.
It was always a problem of condition, which made me under appreciate the watch.
But when the condition and the patina is here, well, it is difficult to resist.
Thanks for your kind comments, Amigo.
Nicolas
Congratulations
Nicolas,
This is what I call "a post".
I always had mixed feelings about this watch (I didn't think that I had use for a watch that tell me if is 9 AM or 9 PM without GMT capabilities) but your deep examination of the 1655 changed my mind. This watch has history!
Now I want one 1655, badly!
Cheers from Brazil,
Nilo
This is what I call "a post".
I always had mixed feelings about this watch (I didn't think that I had use for a watch that tell me if is 9 AM or 9 PM without GMT capabilities) but your deep examination of the 1655 changed my mind. This watch has history!
Now I want one 1655, badly!
Cheers from Brazil,
Nilo
You're too kind with me, Nilo
I tried my best to desrcibe the Passion I have for this too often underated watch.
It has a great personality, and a big charism.
The fact that after reading this post you're on the hunt for one is the best compliment you could do to me.
Thanks a lot!
Best,
Nicolas
Hey, Cisco
Your next Vintage Rolex?
A small Sister for your magnificient 1675?
Best, my friend.
Nicolas
Impressive, simply impressive...
What a great post!!!.
With lot of love, passion... this post is true passion. I´ve enjoyed the reading a lot, this work deserves an "Oscar"
I love this watch, you´re a true lucky man, hermano.
I was able to share with you the moment when you hunted it... a friendly moment that I remember every day.
Huge congrats... Doctor!
Best
Emilio
That's true, Emilio
You were there when I bought it!!!
What a moment!
A jewel in my modest Vintage Rolex Collection.
Thanks for your nice words, Hermano.
Nicolas
Great post, Nicolas!
I've never considered the Explorer before. Like so many others, I love the Sea-Dweller and Submariner. Having read your article however, I'm reevaluating my feelings. The Ref. 1655 is so unique, and has a such a strong viewpoint that it is tough to ignore. I find it very attractive. Thanks for shedding light on a wonderful timepiece.
Cheers,
Daos
The Ref. 1655 is so unique, and has a such a strong viewpoint that it is tough to ignore. I find it very attractive. Thanks for shedding light on a wonderful timepiece. Cheers,
Daos
To me, Daos, the Patina and the condition are important factors, on this watch
Things are not easy, with the 1655.
I waited a long time before finding the nice patina, the good condition on a 1655...
Then I saw that the bracelet was also an important thing on this watch.
A Vintage one made the 1655 too cheap ( to say all, the Vintage bracelet was not in good condition, wich may explain this feeling ), while a modern was perfect.
This is a watch full of charm, Sister...
Try one if you can, and Love with knowk at your door!
Best,
Nicolas
Very nice example, Mr Baron.
I'm tempted to get a straight second hand, too!
Greediness...
Best, my friend.
Nicolas
My pleasure, Edward.
As I said, I have a particular affection for the Rolex Explorers, which I find totally underated, living in the shadow of the Subs.
Which is not fair.
Maybe I'll write another post, about another Explo...
Best,
Nicolas
Great Military Watch
I appreciate the history and lineage information contained within this piece. I must say, that this is absolutely a great piece for military personnel who are looking for a high quality timepiece. The 24 hour graded bezel and bullet proof stainless steel build is why I chose this piece above other Rolex styles as well other Brands of quality timepieces. As a pilot I was naturally attracted to other high end brands but came back to Rolex and the Explorer II; it had a beautiful tapered bezel and was not overly ornate - looks professional in uniforms. As I also have worked in ground ops this fit right in as well. I have never been close to going below 100 meters so this timepiece fit the quality and everyday work requirements that are imposed on me. Thanks again for a great roll up of the Explorer II history. This message has been edited by Mil Rolex on 2011-10-14 09:34:15
An an Explo II fan, I am very sensible to your words, Mil Rolex. Thank you so much, AND...
Welcome here, by the way.
I look forward to hear more from you, now that you're here.
Best,
Nicolas.
#1655
very well written. i can see your heart in it...thank you...
I remember back in the very early 1990s, the explorer II hardly worth nothing, i once had one in my hand and the dealer was asking C$900 for it. I did not take it as the condition was not close to perfect. Then i waited and waited and of course the price soared up....i finally decided to buy one in about 1996 (if my memory was correct) and paid C$8,500 for it....the watch is in near mint condition, hardly been used...i put it away in my safety deposit box until 2008 when everything was at its peak and sold for C$20,000...my watch movement # shows that it is a 70s watch but the case # shows that it is a 80s case....this is very "normal" back then, a lot of people after wearing the watch for almost 10 years, took it back to rolex for service and changed the case...should my watch has a 70s case, i could sell it at about C$30,000 at the peak.....
anyways, i bought back a real nice #1655 at the beginning of this year, i paid C$12,000..the case # and movement # matches perfectly...(all from the 70s) and the watch is in mint condition....the collector bought it back in very early 90s, had the watch completely serviced by Rolex and then put it away till now...this month, i am lucky enough to buy another #1655 in the same mint condition from the same collector and paid C$11,500 cuz the band is a submariner band and not a #1655 band.so i got C$500 "discount"....i figure out, with the C$500, i should be able to get an old explorer II band, or at least i hope i can....
hi amanico
i know, all these rolex sports models (vintage) are so lovely, i collected a lot of them back in the 1990s and 2000s, my daughter wanted to be a pilot and the tuition fee is really expensive as you can imagine, so i decided to sell all of my vintage Rolex sports watches in 2008 (except one Paul Newman, a 60s daytona and a #1016), used the money to pay for her tuition fee....my daughter is now an airline pilot and is flying a boeing 727....a bit sad to see my watches gone....but i have no regret...i am now trying to buy some back, last year, i bought a #6542, this year i bought the 2 #1655...
There are priorities in life.
The cause was noble, though.
But you start the " reconstruction " in a nice way.
I'm a big big fan of the 6542. Any chance to see pics of yours?
Best,
Nicolas
hi
i am a computer dummy, so dont know how to post the picture here, but i will ask my son for his help and hopefully, he will help me.
i met a lot of dealers/collectors in Rolex, but i have never seen a collector have so much passion in a watch, when i read your article, i could actually feel the love around it, your article is as attractive as the #1655 itself....
have a good day!
Hello Nicolas! Congrats on a great article and presentation! As a matter of fact...
... I can not remember having read any other review of the first generation Explorer II so exhaustive, well written and illustrated.
I haven t been an enthusiast of this model, but your passionate writing changed my view of this watch.
You surely taught me to discover the beauty of this often unrated model.
I have seen very few in person down here, which means it was not a very popular model here, judging for the quantiy of vintage Subs GMT Explorer I you can easily find in our collector market, as well as view in use.
I always made myself the same questions you made in your fine article above, about which were the reasons of the low favor received by this model, also if you compare with its brother te Explorer I.
In all, I enjoyed so much reading and viewing your wonderful pictures, and learned to see with new eyes this model.
Igot so enthusiastic, that I ll begin my search next week. They are extremely rare here, but luck is always needed when you are a collector!
Thank you so much for writing a so charming piece my friend!
Have a nice week end!
Kind regards, Abel
That is an old article I wrote about two years and a half ago, my friend.
But I would not change any of the words I wrote...
As I said, I tried many before finding MINE.
It was always a problem of condition, which made me under appreciate the watch.
But when the condition and the patina is here, well, it is difficult to resist.
Thanks for your kind comments, Amigo.
Nicolas
Good you didn´t change a word! I enjoyed so much reading and rereading your post!!...
... your enthusiasm for the Explorer II, is contagious!!
You are right, to find it in great condition and nice patina, is a must!
Thank you again for a wonderful post my friend!
Very cordially, Abel.
You are right, to find it in great condition and nice patina, is a must!
Thank you again for a wonderful post my friend!
Very cordially, Abel.