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2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 20
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Explorer II 1655 Questions: Looking to Buy
Introduction
I am new to RF and researching my first potential Rolex addition to my vintage collection: A 1655. I have been tracking and reading all I can and have developed a decent understanding of the various Marks between dials, bezels, bracelets/links, but am looking for all experts to advise me. I am finally ready to consider a purchase but will appreciate additional guidance for those of you with real Rolex experience. The Watch Here is an early Mark I (serial 2,7xx,xxx) I have a chance to purchase. My understanding is this from 1971 and should have a MK1 dial and bezel. Bezel This bezel is clearly a replacement, correct for the 1655 in general but not a MK1. To my eyes it is a MK3 but could be a MK2 (I always find them tough to distinguish). Am I correct? How much of an effect does this bezel swap have on valuation and collectability? Dial/Lume The lume is missing completely from the 23:00 hour marker. Strangely, the rest of the dial looks quite good to my eyes for a 52-year-old piece. Who knows what might have caused this. I do not see any signs of other damage like water intrusion. Maybe the lume was damaged during a service and they decided to remove it all? Maybe it started disintegrating, so they removed it all? Aside from the aesthetic impact, how much of a hit on value would you place on this lume loss? Should I pass? Bracelet/Links It comes with the original 7836/580 bracelet/links plus a modern (2010) 78360 because the original bracelet is "rough," I am told. Hands Look correct to me but note the faded 24-hour hand and lume disintegration starting in the Minute hand. Case The case has been touched up to sharpen the edges. How concerning is this with vintage Rolex models? Valuation Are early MK1s like this really valued higher in practice? If so, how much of a price premium would you expect over a later comparable example? I am not hung up on getting a MKI (if we can call this a MKI given the bezel) but like the idea of potentially higher rarity/collectability. Conclusion Is there anything else to which you would call my attention as potential issues/risks with this piece? The watch is local, so I can view in the metal before making a decision. I will appreciate any and all expert advice! Thanks! |
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