MK Personal Collection Rare Steve McQueen Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II Wristwatch Ref 1655

MK Personal Collection The present lot is part of a larger privately held collection and is intended for exhibition purposes only. Rare Steve McQueen Orange Hand Rolex Explorer II Wristwatch Ref 1655 Circa 1979. This very rare and unusual Rolex Explorer II with orange hands in a steel three piece case topped with an engraved black fixed bezel that measures 47.60mm x 42.00mm including the crown (Ref 1655 Serial # 6,044,918). The watch has a Cal. 1570 rhodium plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism that is in good running condition (Serial # D550,958). The watch is topped with an original black dial with luminous indexes, aperture for the date at 3 o'clock with luminous white bâton hands and a large orange arrow to indicate the diurnal and nocturnal hours on the 24-hour graduated bezel. The watch is in overall excellent condition. Rolex Explorer II is one of the most iconic vintage Rolex references. The so-called Freccione (Italian for “big arrow”) or "Steve McQueen” was in production from 1971 to 1985. True to Rolex’s philosophy of producing highly reliable and readable timepieces focused on professional use, reference 1655 was created specifically for a community who explores caves for extended periods of time. This watch allows the wearer to identify the time between morning and night through its 24-hour hand and fixed bezel. It is uniquely designed with a highly luminous arrow tipped hand to ensure optimal legibility in the dark.