Need help about 1655

[lotte]

MK1 Straight hands or MK3 rare dial

Which one is more rarest?

[jdmi32]

If by MK 3 you mean the rail dial, then I would say that the rail dial is rarer. I think price wise the straight hand would still command the premium.

[Zoran]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

If by MK 3 you mean the rail dial, then I would say that the rail dial is rarer. I think price wise the straight hand would still command the premium.

I agree with Ky :thumbs:
It seems like the rail dial was produced in lower numbers, but a Mark 1 is a Mark 1
Love them both for obvious reasons!

[Beaumont Miller II]

I asked the same question to myself three or four years ago.

The 1655 with the Mk3 dial aka the Rail Dial is by far much more rare than its cousin the Straight Seconds Hand Mk1. There are perhaps only two Rail 1655's that come to market in a given year, compared to the more common yet still rare Mk1 Straight Seconds Hand. While the collector's eye tends to focus on the Mk1 dial sans luminous on the seconds hand, BOTH EXAMPLES tend to trade hands at a premium relative to their counterparts. To find a great example of any of the 1655's can be difficult these days, but if you are patient, some of the respected and trusted dealers will have a couple examples for sale from time to time. I chose the one below.

[fusionstorm]

+1 to BMII's observation that rail dial 1655s are much rarer than MK1 dial 1655s.

[Robbyvm]

I love them both...
Got my hands on the straight hand below
Will get my hands on a rail dial some day...

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

I asked the same question to myself three or four years ago.

The 1655 with the Mk3 dial aka the Rail Dial is by far much more rare than its cousin the Straight Seconds Hand Mk1. There are perhaps only two Rail 1655's that come to market in a given year, compared to the more common yet still rare Mk1 Straight Seconds Hand. While the collector's eye tends to focus on the Mk1 dial sans luminous on the seconds hand, BOTH EXAMPLES tend to trade hands at a premium relative to their counterparts. To find a great example of any of the 1655's can be difficult these days, but if you are patient, some of the respected and trusted dealers will have a couple examples for sale from time to time. I chose the one below.

Of course not all MK1 straight hands are created equal John my friend. An Mk1 dial/Mk1 bezel much rarer than what I usually see which is Mk1 dial/Mk2 bezel. You have the best rail I have ever seen of course and I remember the day you go it!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

I asked the same question to myself three or four years ago.

The 1655 with the Mk3 dial aka the Rail Dial is by far much more rare than its cousin the Straight Seconds Hand Mk1. There are perhaps only two Rail 1655's that come to market in a given year, compared to the more common yet still rare Mk1 Straight Seconds Hand. While the collector's eye tends to focus on the Mk1 dial sans luminous on the seconds hand, BOTH EXAMPLES tend to trade hands at a premium relative to their counterparts. To find a great example of any of the 1655's can be difficult these days, but if you are patient, some of the respected and trusted dealers will have a couple examples for sale from time to time. I chose the one below.

Wow! Stunning, stunning 1655. I might be in the minority, but I wouldn't pay a premium (extra) for a rail dial, as rare (and cool) as they might be. The visual impact is lost on me. The straight seconds hand is much more noticeable. In general, I'd be much more interested in the patina on the old Explorer IIs, along with the dial/hands/case condition, etc ... I do love those so-called "frog foot" coronets on the dials, which I believe are available through the MK3s versions. They're all beautiful, of course. What a reference.