StormTooper4 Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 So this is my first review type post and I have to say IM PRETTY DAMN NERVOUS, but as I feel I take so much away from this forum I thought I'd try to give a little back. Firstly I don't really do pictures as you will see, my camera seems to act randomly and has a mind of its own, and (I think its called auto focus.) Secondly I do not even pretend to think this is a perfect or hugely accurate rep. The thing is it was my FIRST rep and I purchased it in Sept 2007 before I'd even found RWG so I guess that means she has a special place in my watch box. So its Rolex 1655 Explorer II Steve McQueen Orange Hand number. I'm not sure were the McQueen tag comes from I say it's because he wore one in his last film Hunter. When it first arrived I thought it was a really bad example mainly due to there being no luminous circle on the second hand, this turns out to be correct hand for the 1971 version. Alas the bracelet on it though is for the later mid 70's version and should be a nice 571 riveted construction. For those non Rolex nerds amongst us the watch was designed for speleologists (cavers) and the orange hand is supposed to indicate the 24 hour time so here we can see I was up at 4am taking these pictures. I adjusted the time and date and forgot to put the crown back in before taking these shots. It would have been nice to have had an instruction manual as these aren't always the easiest of watches to set and sometimes the date changes halfway through the day if i'm not careful. Time to invest in a watch winder me thinks. When I first join the forum I read a lot of moans about Rolex dates and the magnifiers being weak. Though I can see it on some reps I've really never been bothered by this one as it seems fine to me, as I hope you can see in these 2 pictures. Other things that seem to be a big issue with Rolex reps are the crown guards. Now I have only just started to begin to get to grips with this subject matter and I'm just starting to see the differences , but like the date, I really don't see too much of an issue with these CG's. I also think the plexi glass crystal looks pretty sweet to. As I've read and learn I see that there are issues with the dial, the coronet is not quite right and the Superlative chrono could be bigger and lower perhaps. Things that bug me are the colour of the orange hand and the Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arty909 Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Thanks for taking the time Stormy- Cool watch and nice review! Ciao, Arty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadweller4000 Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Yeah, thanks for your work. Great first review! You can upload your pictures on imageshack or photobucket. Just create an account on one of these hosts. Then you can link your pics easily to your posts. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Nice review, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
By-Tor Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Excellent review. Thanks for taking the time. There's no superb replication of the "McQueen" Explorer II, but this is fairly nice one. And just like you said, only the Rolex nerds would know. Enjoy! Here's Pugwash's tutorial how to post the pics in "full size": http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=8844 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 (edited) Great first review Stormy. It's taking the trouble to write reviews, that makes this place what it is. I look forward to your second! The 1655 has a special place in my collection. Good choice! Are you going to have a go at modding the few details that you don't like on this rep? It seems you ave a pretty good starting point. Which collector did you get it from? Edited February 23, 2008 by Slartibartfast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Nice review Storm! Thank you for taking the time to do it. I love the Orange Hand. A nice mod I discovered if you have the tools & know how or a watchmaker can do for you is replacing the hands with NOS Omega hands that look dead on for the 1655 hands, they're ~$30 at Ofrei and only the minute hand has to be broached a bit to fit an ETA movement. It really makes a big difference! Here's how they look on my franken 1655 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Well I know what I am aiming for.... Thanks toomuchgear!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striker27 Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 Here is what a real one looks like. That one looks the same to me!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 Well I know what I am aiming for.... Thanks toomuchgear!!! Slart, thanks for the kind words. Your 1655 looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 That one looks the same to me!!!!! Thanks Striker, is that gen in the photo yours? Yes, swapping out the hands really makes huge difference and is a very worthwhile mod. The date mag is a little too large on my 1655 as the crystal sits higher than on mine compared to a gen 1655. I have to sand the crystal down a little one of these days to fix that . I'm still quite happy with how it turned out though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striker27 Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 (edited) Yes that is my gen it was purchased in the early late 70's early 80's by my dad. I would not worry about the crystal too much or the date window. Over time they get damaged and swapped out by most of the owners anyways. If anything yours may not look as weather beaten as far as the case and bracelet goes, it looks too darn good. I think both the watches look exceptional as far as the overall look of a gen 1655 goes. If anything maybe the crown guards are a tad off. But you would really need the gen sitting beside it to tell. Not even a minor or worthwhile concern as far as I would be concerned. Edited February 24, 2008 by striker27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StormTooper4 Posted February 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 Thanks for that top tip about the hands at oferi I will look into those. DOH! as I've just got 2 illum dots from them I could of saved on the post. Wow you guys sure have some fantastic Explorer II's there , I have a way to go yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmg Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 O, your 1655 is the next best thing to a gen , I never get tired of looking at it! Great shot too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 @repaustria....... we're not worthy, we're not worthy Seriously though this 1655 of yours is the badger's nadgers! (sorry to go OT) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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