Updated 1655 Steve Mcqueen

[Falco]

Explorer II 1655 Steve McQueen vintage

Finally managed to fit a gen 116 crystal in a very stable way . trick was to use a thicker, more square o-ring and better cement

Also vintaged the bezel more, and improved cg

Now I need better/thinner hour/min hands

Hope you like it!

As before:

Case Trustys 1655 "1:1 top grade", smoothed, CGs & drilled lugholes

Fitted ETA 2893-2 GMT movement

Fitted a 1570 caliber GMT hand from cwp

Dial and hour/min hands repainted

Fitted aftermarket Rivet hollow rolled link bracelet, different aftermarket endlinks, gen springbars

Gen tube/crown

Rep on the left, gen to the right

Note that the cg on this particular gen have an unusual shape, decided to stick with the more common shape

Previous pictures of the back:

[ubiquitous]

Lookin' great!! Nicely done

So, out of curiosity- Was the crystal too large to fit the case lip, or was the bezel too large to seat against the crystal?

[Raijor]

There is something magical anout that watch - it takes me back in time and elicits many good memories for me. Great photos!!!!

[Falco]

Thanks!

The 116 crystal was having a gap next to the case, bezel fit was ok but not very tight.

Seems the 116 has same outer diameter as Subs 127 crystal but is thinner on the inside.

Guess Rolex just fattened up the Subs crystals to stand increased pressure tolerence in diving, thicker acrylic.

Bezel seems pretty accurate on this rep, fits crystal w/ inner diameter, and outer diameter is the correct 37mm

[Falco]

[By-Tor]

Very cool again Falco. You seem to be quite a Rolex enthusiast/watch builder. It's rare to see a decent Steve McQueen... but yours certainly is.

[Falco]

Thanks By-Tor, the 1655 has a very different dial design that reflected 70's watches style pretty good.

Probably why it went out of production relatively fast, compared to subs and daytonas.

Just wish the rep-makers would make more accurate cases (and hands) to the specific models,

and not only clone the 5513 case for all similar reps.