Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655, Stainless Steel, 1972
The Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655, released in 1971, marked a bold step forward in the Explorer line with its entirely new design and purpose. Unlike the original Explorer, the Ref. 1655 was designed specifically for spelunkers, cave explorers, and adventurers who required a tool watch with an unmistakable 24-hour display to distinguish day from night in environments without natural light.
The stainless steel 39mm case features a fixed bezel engraved with 24-hour markings, paired with a distinctive orange GMT hand on the black dial. This highly functional design ensured users could easily track a second time zone or differentiate between AM and PM.
Powered by the Rolex Caliber 1575 automatic movement, this robust and reliable timepiece solidifies its status as a quintessential tool watch for professional explorers and collectors alike.
