Pre-Owned Rolex Explorer II 'Albino' 40921782/AS06499

WHY WE LOVE IT

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Let's clear one thing up right from the start: To the best of anyone's knowledge, Steve McQueen neither owned or publicly wore this model Rolex Explorer!

Due to an identification snafu in the early days of the internet, the Rolex Explorer Reference 1655 has been incorrectly associated with the actor, racer, and all-around legend for nearly two decades. We know he wore a Submariner, and we also know of his fondness for Heuer (not just the Monaco) and Hanhart. But there is no evidence to suggest the King Of Cool ever had anything to do with the 1655.

Which is a shame really, because the 1655 is one of the absolute coolest - and least understood - model in Rolex's vintage catalog.

Taking its movement architecture from a Reference 1675 GMT-Master, the 1655 features a fixed 24-hour bezel and an entirely unique dial and handset configuration with its iconic 'Orange Hand' second timezone indicator. So it wears like a Submariner, works like a GMT-Master, and has a look all its own!

This particular example dates to circa 1978-79 and features a 39mm stainless steel Oyster case with 'holey lugs', an excellent matte black Mark V dial devoid of the all-too-common edge wear, a matching 'albino' handset, a correct Mark IV stainless steel 24hr bezel assembly, and a folded link Oyster bracelet with a signed blade clasp.

As the Reference 1655 is one of the least understood vintage Rolex models, its right be wary of them - lots of examples have been 'Frankensteined', over-restored, poorly refinished, or worse... Authentic and correct examples such as this don't appear often - and this one remains in excellent condition throughout.

The King Of Cool abides!

OVERALL CONDITION

The case is in excellent condition overall showing signs of light professional refurbishing and light wear from age and use. Matte black Tritium 'MKV' dial is in superb condition with even patination to Tritium elements with matching, faded 'albino' handset. Signed crown. Fixed stainless steel Mark IV bezel is in excellent condition.