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HACKNSACK44 · 7 May 2014, 03:40 PM

I took a wheelchair into the shop today to get some work done on it. I've known the owner for almost 23 years. He usually wears a Sub. Today while we were talking I saw on his wrist what looked like an Explorer II 1655. I couldn't resist myself so I asked him is that a Steve McQueen Rolex and he said yes. And I was the second guy to ask him that. A guy at an auction offered him $10,000 for his Steve McQueen and he said. My what? He didn't know they called it that. He said no thank you. The reason why was he purchased it in 1968 in Saigon for $800. He said he would never sell it. It looks like it was all original. He said when Rolex did the service on it they only worked on the movement. Everything else was left alone. I wanted to get a picture of it but he had to go somewhere. I will be back down there soon so hopefully I can get a picture. I've never seen a 46-year-old Rolex before. It was pretty awesome!

T. Ferguson · 7 May 2014, 03:45 PM

Thanks for sharing that. Yeah, $10K wasn't enough to get him to part with a watch bought in wartime and has stories and history associated with it. Don't blame him one bit.

Jake B · 7 May 2014, 03:50 PM

Steve McQueen never wore a 1655. Try to find a pic of him with one. I think you'll find that you'll come up empty handed.

Cool watch nonetheless, and nice to meet an original owner.

DCheeta · 7 May 2014, 03:58 PM

Cool story! I've only seen one 1655 before, and that was at a TRF gtg. It's such an awesome watch. Thanks for sharing!

CWIN · 7 May 2014, 04:07 PM

Something similar happened to me the other day Chuck. I started a conversation with a gentleman and noticed his 1655. I commented on it and we started talking. He purchased it NIB he thinks very early 1970s. He was pretty excited to tell me how much he purchased it for. I asked him if he had any idea what it was worth now and he said no. I showed him a couple of sites online and he looked like his head was about to explode. He also said that he'd never sell it. He did however just have it serviced by Rolex. They polished it and replaced the dial and hands.

HACKNSACK44 · 7 May 2014, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake B

Steve McQueen never wore a 1655. Try to find a pic of him with one. I think you'll find that you'll come up empty handed.

Cool watch nonetheless, and nice to meet an original owner.

I was reading about that. I guess some people still refer to it as Steve McQueen. It's still pretty cool!

HACKNSACK44 · 7 May 2014, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWIN

Something similar happened to me the other day Chuck. I started a conversation with a gentleman and noticed his 1655. I commented on it and we started talking. He purchased it NIB he thinks very early 1970s. He was pretty excited to tell me how much he purchased it for. I asked him if he had any idea what it was worth now and he said no. I showed him a couple of sites online and he looked like his head was about to explode. He also said that he'd never sell it. He did however just have it serviced by Rolex. They polished it and replaced the dial and hands.

Cool story!

Not so cool about the service..

CWIN · 7 May 2014, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HACKNSACK44

Cool story!

Not so cool about the service..

I know! I was crushed

But he loves his watch and it seemed like he had no interest in selling it. Too bad though, haha.

Jake B · 7 May 2014, 04:16 PM

For sure. I'm always tempted when I see one but just can't seem to be able to bring myself to put up that much cash on one watch

Dr. Robert · 7 May 2014, 04:38 PM

Here's mine, bought new in '73.......worn a lot.....renovated in '04......

(p.s. I don't like old & beat to @#$%, I like concours.)

Jake B · 7 May 2014, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Here's mine, bought new in '73.......worn a lot.....renovated in '04......

(p.s. I don't like old & beat to @#$%, I like concours.)

brettpaul · 7 May 2014, 04:45 PM

Great story Chuck - looking forward to your next visit with this gent and the pics!

brettpaul · 7 May 2014, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Here's mine, bought new in '73.......worn a lot.....renovated in '04......

(p.s. I don't like old & beat to @#$%, I like concours.)

Simply stunning....looks like you wear it once per month!

Dr. Robert · 7 May 2014, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettpaul

Simply stunning....looks like you wear it once per month!

I'm a pig.....I have 2....I rotate

HACKNSACK44 · 7 May 2014, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I'm a pig.....I have 2....I rotate

That's just wrong.. Seriously two nice looking watches!

beetleything · 7 May 2014, 05:25 PM

Great story --- looking forward to the pic!!

socalwatchcollector · 7 May 2014, 05:29 PM

The Doc isn't messing around apparently....

Ru4scuba · 7 May 2014, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I'm a pig.....I have 2....I rotate

That watch is just hands down sheer awesomeness.

Its younger, fatter grandson says hello...

Kingair · 7 May 2014, 08:25 PM

Nice story

HAGOne

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

77T · 7 May 2014, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I'm a pig.....I have 2....I rotate

Those are beauties, Bob. Did Rolex replace the dials somewhere along the way? There isn't a tritium notation on them.

Alexus · 8 May 2014, 02:54 AM

I think sooner or later I need a 1655 ...

CrownMe · 8 May 2014, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HACKNSACK44

That's just wrong.. Seriously two nice looking watches!

Beautiful twins. I always wonder why some have 2 of the same exact watch. Any specific reason?

HACKNSACK44 · 8 May 2014, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownMe

Beautiful twins. I always wonder why some have 2 of the same exact watch. Any specific reason?

Good question..

mike · 8 May 2014, 08:59 AM

Well, 68 might be a tad early. It's generally felt the 1655 came out circa 1971 with the straight seconds hand.

Steve McQueen wore a 5512. His watch recently went at auction for 6 figures.

Beef · 8 May 2014, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

Well, 68 might be a tad early. It's generally felt the 1655 came out circa 1971 with the straight seconds hand.

Steve McQueen wore a 5512. His watch recently went at auction for 6 figures.

You beat me to the draw on this regarding the date of intro, Mike. No surprise, though, LOL!

HACKNSACK44 · 8 May 2014, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

Well, 68 might be a tad early. It's generally felt the 1655 came out circa 1971 with the straight seconds hand.

Steve McQueen wore a 5512. His watch recently went at auction for 6 figures.

I read that about the date. I'm just going by what he said.

highcotton · 8 May 2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownMe

Beautiful twins. I always wonder why some have 2 of the same exact watch. Any specific reason?

This is going to sound crazy but I like my Tudor 76100 so much that I bought another one to wear while the original one is being serviced. Every 5 years I send it off to be oiled and I have another to wear while it is gone.

Vlad · 8 May 2014, 11:55 PM

Here's mine - great watch to wear, however, the style of the dial and the 4 hands make it look 'busy'.

though I like the 'new' look of the previously posted pair of 1655s, seeing service dials (and other service parts), kinda kill it for me. I have service hands on my 1655, and at some point I'll find a nice set of original tritium hands and stick them back on the watch.

Vlad

HACKNSACK44 · 9 May 2014, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlad

Here's mine - great watch to wear, however, the style of the dial and the 4 hands make it look 'busy'.

though I like the 'new' look of the previously posted pair of 1655s, seeing service dials (and other service parts), kinda kill it for me. I have service hands on my 1655, and at some point I'll find a nice set of original tritium hands and stick them back on the watch.

Vlad

Nice!

Robbyvm · 9 May 2014, 04:39 AM

The are great watches, a little hectic but great, here's my contribution

7 May 2014, 03:40 PM	#1
HACKNSACK44 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Chuck Location: Orlando Watch: 114060 Posts: 8,450	Steve McQueen Rolex I took a wheelchair into the shop today to get some work done on it. I've known the owner for almost 23 years. He usually wears a Sub. Today while we were talking I saw on his wrist what looked like an Explorer II 1655. I couldn't resist myself so I asked him is that a Steve McQueen Rolex and he said yes. And I was the second guy to ask him that. A guy at an auction offered him $10,000 for his Steve McQueen and he said. My what? He didn't know they called it that. He said no thank you. The reason why was he purchased it in 1968 in Saigon for $800. He said he would never sell it. It looks like it was all original. He said when Rolex did the service on it they only worked on the movement. Everything else was left alone. I wanted to get a picture of it but he had to go somewhere. I will be back down there soon so hopefully I can get a picture. I've never seen a 46-year-old Rolex before. It was pretty awesome! __________________ 114060

7 May 2014, 03:45 PM	#2
T. Ferguson "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Left Coast Posts: 7,025	Thanks for sharing that. Yeah, $10K wasn't enough to get him to part with a watch bought in wartime and has stories and history associated with it. Don't blame him one bit. __________________ *Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.*

7 May 2014, 03:50 PM	#3
Jake B "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hong Kong Watch: Gold Sub 116618LN Posts: 2,820	Steve McQueen never wore a 1655. Try to find a pic of him with one. I think you'll find that you'll come up empty handed. Cool watch nonetheless, and nice to meet an original owner. __________________ Things are more like they are now than they ever were before.

7 May 2014, 04:16 PM	#9
Jake B "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hong Kong Watch: Gold Sub 116618LN Posts: 2,820	For sure. I'm always tempted when I see one but just can't seem to be able to bring myself to put up that much cash on one watch __________________ Things are more like they are now than they ever were before.

7 May 2014, 04:38 PM	#10
Dr. Robert 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 63,662	Here's mine, bought new in '73.......worn a lot.....renovated in '04...... (p.s. I don't like old & beat to @#$%, I like concours.) __________________ Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

7 May 2014, 03:58 PM	#4
DCheeta "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Dave Location: NYC Posts: 7,181	Cool story! I've only seen one 1655 before, and that was at a TRF gtg. It's such an awesome watch. Thanks for sharing!

7 May 2014, 04:07 PM	#5
CWIN "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Real Name: Chris Location: San Diego Watch: Patek, AP, Rolex Posts: 4,449	Something similar happened to me the other day Chuck. I started a conversation with a gentleman and noticed his 1655. I commented on it and we started talking. He purchased it NIB he thinks very early 1970s. He was pretty excited to tell me how much he purchased it for. I asked him if he had any idea what it was worth now and he said no. I showed him a couple of sites online and he looked like his head was about to explode. He also said that he'd never sell it. He did however just have it serviced by Rolex. They polished it and replaced the dial and hands.

7 May 2014, 04:45 PM	#12
brettpaul "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Brett Location: Bahrain, Dubai Watch: Rolex and AP Posts: 5,538	Great story Chuck - looking forward to your next visit with this gent and the pics!

7 May 2014, 05:25 PM	#16
beetleything "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Big Al Location: Canada Watch: the next one Posts: 153	Great story --- looking forward to the pic!!

7 May 2014, 05:29 PM	#17
socalwatchcollector "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Real Name: John Location: newport beach Watch: Pateks Plural Posts: 1,620	The Doc isn't messing around apparently....

7 May 2014, 08:25 PM	#19
Kingair "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Watch: Not enough ;-) Posts: 21,232	Nice story HAGOne Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

8 May 2014, 02:54 AM	#21
Alexus "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Alex Location: Switzerland Watch: SD/PAM74/ExII/SRSD Posts: 393	I think sooner or later I need a 1655 ... __________________ The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it, generation after generation. Pearl.S.Buck

8 May 2014, 08:59 AM	#24
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Well, 68 might be a tad early. It's generally felt the 1655 came out circa 1971 with the straight seconds hand. Steve McQueen wore a 5512. His watch recently went at auction for 6 figures.

9 May 2014, 04:39 AM	#30
Robbyvm "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,239	The are great watches, a little hectic but great, here's my contribution

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