Explorer II Steve McQueen 1655 reading

[JasonBetts]

Something else bothered me is the date wheel. Whilst all other have open 6 and 9, the 26 is closed. Is this normal?

More pictures of the case and dates. Adjustments.JPG


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[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Something else bothered me is the date wheel. Whilst all other have open 6 and 9, the 26 is closed. Is this normal?

It's normal

[swish77]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

More pictures of the case and dates.

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Try posting bigger photos of the reference and serial number. Impossible to see them properly in your small photos.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by swish77

Try posting bigger photos of the reference and serial number. Impossible to see them properly in your small photos.

I took the last couple of photos myself of the example using my iphone x. They’re of good resolutions but i dont know maybe it was automatically downsized by tapatalk. I’ll try to upload again using my laptop tonight.

In person, the crown guards do look a bit off but the serial looked legit. The dealer can’t take out the 12 o’clock springbar as their technician was on holiday.

So at this stage i havent seen the reference stamp, caseback and movement.


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[shiftf7]

I've compared it to my 1655 mk1 you are right on the crown guards, they are a big warning something is wrong here. the case is not original.

[shiftf7]

the caseback also looks a bit odd its too bold, the one on my mk1 1655 is more flat

[shiftf7]

Also the bracelet should be a 7836

[1665fan]

I have one unpolished but it’s 6.7 mill so that’s 3 mill serial and I wouldn’t expect them to look the same

[77T]

I know you’ve tried to make better pictures but they just aren’t good enough to say anything definitively from a distance.

It could be an assemblage piece with different parts having been replaced over the years.

Unless you can find a local expert to help, you’re in uncharted territory.

I don’t see any flagrant fakery, but limited by the images quality.


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by shiftf7

I've compared it to my 1655 mk1 you are right on the crown guards, they are a big warning something is wrong here. the case is not original.

The more I looked into the photos, I'm now almost certain that the case is not original. Hope the photos below are better in resolutions

[JasonBetts]

1655 dial.JPG

1655dial2.JPG

IMG_2863trf.jpg

IMG_2864trf.jpg

[JasonBetts]

caseback trf.jpg

IMG_2866trf.jpg

IMG_2867trf.jpg

IMG_2870trf.jpg

[JasonBetts]

IMG_2871trf.jpg

IMG_2876trf.jpg

IMG_2883trf.jpg

[JasonBetts]

hope these batches of photos are ok. sorry to waste your time guys with the bad resolution photos previously.

FYI price has dropped significantly. it's now below 25k from previously 27k asking.

What's your take on this offering? If it's a bad-polished case / crown guards, do you think it's a catch considering all the complete paperwork, relatively nice mk 1 dial and correct hands?

[Greg5512]

Why do you people keep perpetrating the fraud that this is a Steve McQueen watch

Shame on you

[shiftf7]

Font of the engravings look off to me, shape of the case, especially the crown guards are off. also the caseback is not original, you can see its too thick.
Ive attached a picture of my mk1 so you can compare.
I conclude the case is not original, so the paperwork doesn't mean anything.
Also impossible the engraving looks this fresh for a watch that is 45 years old.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by shiftf7

Font of the engravings look off to me, shape of the case, especially the crown guards are off. also the caseback is not original, you can see its too thick.

Ive attached a picture of my mk1 so you can compare.

I conclude the case is not original, so the paperwork doesn't mean anything.

Thanks a lot shiftf7. Yours is a direct comparison. Indeed the engravings looked off compared to yours. The top slopes of the crown guards are also at the wrong degree compared to yours.

Wow this rolex vintage collecting does bring lots of risks. I was that close to pull the trigger on this example.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and I'm glad there are good people with sharp eyes at TRF.




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[Johnnie K]

Did you verify the SN and Ref # between the lugs? Also, the bracelet looks like it has a few links removed, are they available?

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Johnnie K

Did you verify the SN and Ref # between the lugs? Also, the bracelet looks like it has a few links removed, are they available?

They failed to remove the 12 o'clock bracelet as it's stuck so the reference number was not visible. Extra Links are not available


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[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

They failed to remove the 12 o'clock bracelet as it's stuck so the reference number was not visible. Extra Links are not available


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Bracelet is stuck?

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by strafer_kid

Bracelet is stuck?

The springbar was stuck


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[swish77]

Serial number engraving does look a little too perfect and deep on this case, although the photo/angle/lighting ain't great. Have you seen the movement?

These early-mid '70s Rolexes have engravings that are sometimes a little crooked or slightly askew, like the other example posted above by shift7. You never want to see laser precision on these.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by swish77

Serial number engraving does look a little too perfect and deep on this case, although the photo/angle/lighting ain't great. Have you seen the movement?

These early-mid '70s Rolexes have engravings that are sometimes a little crooked or slightly askew, like the other example posted above by shift7. You never want to see laser precision on these.

Hahaha good point swish. However comparing to shiftf7's crown guards', this example is definitely off


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[218225]

Here are some pictures of my dad‘s watch.
Unpolished etc. glass was replaced when it was serviced a few years ago.















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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by 218225

Here are some pictures of my dad‘s watch.
Unpolished etc. glass was replaced when it was serviced a few years ago.















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Wow that's a nice clean example. Thanks for sharing


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[218225]

Thank my dad for that.
It came out only for special occasions. He wore his 1973 EXP I most of the time.



Took it out of the safe to wear it because that is what it was made for.

An Exp I or Speedmaster have been on my list for a long time, but I would be very very cautious when buying used or vintage.


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