Rolex Explorer II, ref. 1655, introduced in 1971, represents the first generation of the Explorer II and remains one of the most distinctive vintage tool watches ever produced by Rolex. While the original Explorer was launched in 1953 in the wake of the Everest expedition, the Explorer II was conceived as a more specialised instrument for those operating in environments where natural light could no longer be relied upon. With its fixed 24-hour bezel and prominent orange 24-hour hand, the model was designed to help the wearer distinguish day from night, a practical feature closely associated with cave explorers, speleologists, and polar expeditions.

It is this bold orange hand that gave the reference its best-known collector nickname, “Freccione”, Italian for “big arrow.”

The present watch is further distinguished by its certificate dated 1981, showing that it was purchased in Stockholm, and by its provenance, having been consigned by the family of the original owner.