About this watch

Rolex Explorer II 1655 MK4 ‘Freccione’ 40mm 1975 Case and Bracelet The 40mm stainless steel Oyster case is in good vintage condition and wears its history openly, with honest marks visible around both sides of the case. Nothing here has been disguised. What matters more on a 1655 is what is absent: there is no pitting and no corrosion between the lugs or on the caseback. Those two areas are the traps on a 1970s Oyster, because the recess between the lugs holds the serial engraving and collects perspiration and bracelet grit where a cloth never reaches, and the caseback rim sits against the wrist for decades at a time. A case that has stayed clean in both places has been worn and stored properly rather than simply tidied up before sale. The fixed steel 24 hour bezel is integral to this reference and does not rotate, so there is no bezel action, insert or click spring to assess, only the engraved ring itself. The bracelet is in good condition, with hairlines across the surfaces and moderate stretch consistent with its age. Stretch on a Rolex Oyster bracelet of this era is less a fault than accumulated mileage, since the play develops between the pins and the link holes and is then…