The Explorer 1655 is a real Rolex reference: the first Explorer II, released in 1971. A fake Rolex Explorer 1655 is a replica built to copy it. When you compare replicas, four things decide the outcome: the 24-hour bezel insert, the fixed bezel and case profile, the dial printing under magnification, and the handset. Everything else is secondary.
What the 1655 Actually Is
Reference 1655 launched in 1971 as a tool watch for cave explorers and people working in places with no daylight cycle. It carried a fixed steel bezel with a 24-hour scale, a fourth hand reading against that scale, and a large orange arrow tip. Production ran into the late 1970s. The watch got the nickname "Steve McQueen" long after the fact, even though he was not photographed wearing one.
That history matters for comparison work. Early and late 1655 examples differ in dial text, hand finish, and bezel font. A replica that copies one era badly will look wrong against photos from the other era.
Why This Reference Is Hard to Copy
The 1655 has a tall, slab-sided case with a pronounced bezel stack. Replica cases often come out too thin at the mid-case or too rounded at the lugs. The bezel insert also uses a narrow font that most factories widen or thicken. Those two errors are visible at arm's length, before you look at the dial.
A Comparison Procedure
- Set the watch next to a reference photo of a known 1655 from the same production era.
- Measure the bezel insert font. Compare the numeral "24" for width and stroke weight.
- Check the case flank in profile. Note whether the mid-case is flat or bulged.
- Read the dial text under a loupe. Confirm spacing between the model line and the depth rating.
- Look at the orange hand. Check the arrow shape and where the paint stops.
- Turn the watch over. Compare the caseback engraving depth and letterform.
- Check the crown position. Note whether it sits flush against the case flank.
Dial and Hand Details
The dial on a 1655 is matte with painted markers. Replica dials tend to be glossier and the lume plots sit slightly proud of the surface. On the handset, the orange arrow should be flat and evenly filled, with a crisp edge where the paint meets the steel. Uneven fill or a soft edge is the most common flaw.
Legal Status in the United States
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import and sell in the United States. US Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit goods, and trademark counterfeiting carries both civil and criminal exposure. Buying or shipping a fake across a US border puts the item at risk of seizure and destruction.
Setting Expectations
No replica matches a genuine 1655 on movement architecture, case finishing, or long-term serviceability. If you are comparing replicas only, judge them against each other on the four points above. If you are comparing against a genuine watch, expect the gap to widen the closer you look.