1655 Exp 2: What if?...

[Juggernaut]

I got to respect the Submariners and the GMT's for being so steadfast and unchanging over the years, staying very true to their history and lineage (well at least until more recently with the maxi case etc.).

Sometimes I wonder how cool it would be if the Explorer II would have also stayed true to form instead of reinventing itself as it did with the 16550 and 16570. The rectangular markers, the distinctive handset etc. I'm not sure why Rolex needed to "standardize" it with the characteristic circular plots, Mercedes hand and red GMT hand. The only thing they kept was the upper position of the model number ("Explorer II on top).
Yes, the return to the orange hand with the 216570 models was cool, but I think of it as just a big tease. They could have really hit it out of the park with a more faithful retro reissue...

[adam78]

Yes, but only (to my mind) if it were also medium sized (not >39mm) and without those blasted white gold surrounds, which spoil so many modern Rolex watches IMO.

[BristolCavendish]

I've often wondered the same. On the other hand, the cosmetic changes led to the original 1655 being valued and worth far more than any of its GMT/Submariner counterparts of the same timeframe.

[Vincent65]

I love the original 1655, but it's known for not being very legible, ironically. A little cluttered and busy, which, when you're stuck, upside-down, in a dark, wet cave, might add a little unwelcome stress. They certainly made up for it the latest one and those massive, hands. You could paddle upstream and out of the cave to safety with those!

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

...A little cluttered and busy,

Agreed. Those 2-1/2 minute dial markers are the culprit. *wondering why Rolex even considered having them on there?*