Explorer II 1655 Bracelet help

[ROyster]

Folks,

I have a Explorer II 1655 MK5 dial, MK3 bezel, thus early 1980's watch. Currently sits on an aged 93150 fliplock divers extension bracelet. I also have a 78360 DE2 (year 2001) with 580 end links.

Should I put it on the 78360 as its the "correct" bracelet for the watch?

I heard many Explorer II's were shipped with submariner bands as it was an option. Goal is to keep the watch as authentic as possible.

Many Thanks.

[swish77]

Yes, I would. I have the same watch, low 8-mil. serial number and have it on a 78360 with 580 end pieces. Mine is stamped H for 1983. Try to find one that has the correct date code for your serial number. Dealers swapped out bracelets based on customer requests, but the correct bracelet for the 1655 is indeed the 78360 with 580s. Good luck!

[ROyster]

Thanks I'll keep the newer 78360 on it for now. Nice 1655 you have, congrats.

[imono]

From a 1984 dealer catalog price list.
You can see there this 16550A model comes with different bracelets.
Not sure if it corresponds to the earlier 1655 model though.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by ROyster

Thanks I'll keep the newer 78360 on it for now. Nice 1655 you have, congrats.

Thanks. Maybe post some photos. You can still get the 580 end pieces from RSC, so I took my bracelet into Rolex in New York and had them put on brand new end pieces. There's nothing like fresh end pieces to make the bracelet/watch look great. I can't stand end pieces that have gaps and/or rattle. Good luck in your bracelet search!

[joseluu]

Originally Posted by ROyster

Folks,

I have a Explorer II 1655 MK5 dial, MK3 bezel, thus early 1980's watch. Currently sits on an aged 93150 fliplock divers extension bracelet. I also have a 78360 DE2 (year 2001) with 580 end links.

Should I put it on the 78360 as its the "correct" bracelet for the watch?

I heard many Explorer II's were shipped with submariner bands as it was an option. Goal is to keep the watch as authentic as possible.

Many Thanks.

Under normal circumstances, no Rolex watch will leave an AD with a bracelet which is not correct. In this case, "most" 1655 may have 7836 bracelets but, in my opinion, the "few" with 9315 bracelets should also be considered "correct".

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ROyster

Folks,

I have a Explorer II 1655 MK5 dial, MK3 bezel, thus early 1980's watch. Currently sits on an aged 93150 fliplock divers extension bracelet. I also have a 78360 DE2 (year 2001) with 580 end links.

Should I put it on the 78360 as its the "correct" bracelet for the watch?

I heard many Explorer II's were shipped with submariner bands as it was an option. Goal is to keep the watch as authentic as possible.

Many Thanks.

As mentioned above..

If the 93150 is from the proper era, it is the correct bracelet for that watch and may be original (you don't say if it was replaced).. Both Exp II's and GMT's provided that bracelet as an option.

A 20 year newer bracelet can, of course, be proper too.

Either would be considered "correct"..

[ROyster]

Thanks everyone. I'll keep both bracelets for it.

[classicwatchparts]

My experience is that during the 90's even RSC did not have very strict policies on bands, you can bring a watch head in and ask to buy a band. I brought my explorer II in and asked to upgrade with the fliplock which technically was not correct since the band has diffferent model numbers to the flip lock. But they were easy on that.

My take on the question, is that it is not the original band with the watch but it might be a AD or RSC center who replaced it. That option for a 93150 was never mentioned in any service books I read and I have many of the original ones including the later electronic ones on CD that a Rolex technician gave me.

Michael Young

[springer]

Originally Posted by classicwatchparts

My experience is that during the 90's even RSC did not have very strict policies on bands, you can bring a watch head in and ask to buy a band. I brought my explorer II in and asked to upgrade with the fliplock which technically was not correct since the band has diffferent model numbers to the flip lock. But they were easy on that.

My take on the question, is that it is not the original band with the watch but it might be a AD or RSC center who replaced it. That option for a 93150 was never mentioned in any service books I read and I have many of the original ones including the later electronic ones on CD that a Rolex technician gave me.

Michael Young

During the 1980's, the 1655 could be purchased new with the 93150 band. The band on the watch being discussed is probably original and it did not necessarily come with the 78360.

IMONO's post has a photo of the order page from the Rolex Master Catalog which clearly indicates that the 9315 band (order code for the 93150) was available for this watch.

[ROyster]

Thanks everyone