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Old 3 June 2016, 08:48 AM   #1
Haywood_Milton
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1655 Explorer II with Stern Mk II "frog's foot" dial.

Good evening all,

I'm trying to give an outing to some of my watches that haven't seen daylight in a few years.



This is a low 4-million case number 1655.



It's the Stern Mk 2 dial with frog's foot coronet and no "rail" alignment of SCOC text.



I find the details of the dial and hands rather clumsy and distracting, certainly not as functional as I would wish from a tool watch:



As a result I'm sitting on only a couple of these. I can still enjoy their rarity and quirkiness, even if the "disco dial" won't ever be a daily wearer!



Ignore the apparent graining effect, which is simply the macro lens picking up polishing tracks in the acrylic.



Haywood M
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*Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 *Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 *Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 *Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 *GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN *Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 *Milgauss 1019x3 *Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.
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Old 3 June 2016, 09:01 AM   #2
Thegr8one
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Amazing specimen. Thanks for sharing it.
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Old 3 June 2016, 09:13 AM   #3
Brisman
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Fantastic 1655, I like this reference a lot, as you say "disco dial" but a beautiful watch none the less.
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Old 3 June 2016, 04:24 PM   #4
rootbeer7
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Beautiful. Thanks for posting
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Old 3 June 2016, 05:24 PM   #5
Rogdogg
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I absolutely love the 1655. Thanks for sharing these photos with us.
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Old 3 June 2016, 05:24 PM   #6
Mick P
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Hi Haywood

I have a bit of a love - hate relationship with my 1655.

It looks cool like no other watch and has a very classy look about it and sails well under the radar which is a plus for a Rolex.

On the other hand, the "disco dial" can drive me nuts as you really have to concentrate if you want to tell the time accurately.

I really do prefer my 214270 39mm Explorer which just ticks all the boxes.

Regards

Mick
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Old 5 June 2016, 04:48 AM   #7
Woody
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Great example from your amazing collection!!
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Old 5 June 2016, 04:59 AM   #8
Max72
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1655 Explorer II with Stern Mk II "frog's foot" dial.

My favorite reference, and only non submariner looking dial of Rolex sport line that I find very attractive
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Old 5 June 2016, 05:19 AM   #9
ref1655
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the 1655 has always been cited/mentioned as having a somewhat cluttered dial...I suspect it is due to the 2-1/2 minute markers. while I have gotten used to them over time, they were probably unnecessary to include/add.
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Old 5 June 2016, 06:23 AM   #10
AWS
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Nice 1655 mk2. I know it's a busy dial but feels so good on the wrist.
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Old 5 June 2016, 06:50 AM   #11
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Great example. These have grown on me over the years.
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Old 5 June 2016, 06:50 AM   #12
strafer_kid
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Very nice indeed!
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Old 5 June 2016, 08:42 AM   #13
Haywood_Milton
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Thankyou for your kind comments. Even if well worn such as this one is, I find the original bezels with their fuller figures and stumpy "1" more pleasing than the thin-type later replacements. All, of course, are prone to showing wear if used as intended.
H
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Old 5 June 2016, 10:38 AM   #14
judson
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Disco dial is new to me, but an apt description. Stunning watch. I have both black and white Explorer 16570 and one Explorer 214270. A 1655 is a grail for me. Maybe some day.

Wear it in good health, and by the sounds of it, more often!
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Old 5 June 2016, 10:43 AM   #15
Boaters
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Very interesting thanks for sharing Haywood
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Old 5 June 2016, 11:16 AM   #16
adam78
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Beautiful shots, Haywood.

It's true that nothing can beat a 1016 for dial legibility, but the 1655 sure is cool to wear!
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Old 5 June 2016, 09:43 PM   #17
Mark020
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Interesting observations. I have a 5.6m serial (but sold in 1980) one and I always have to look twice to read the exact time

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