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AKRolexfan · 21 February 2014, 10:13 AM

Bob Ridley, with Watchmakers International, has finalized the work on my 1655 Explorer II and it is almost here.
(The photo in the upper right is the 'before photo').
Below are photos Bob graciously emailed me:

CrownMe · 21 February 2014, 10:23 AM

Wow what a stunning piece. That is by far my favorite expy. So unique looking. Congrats. Bob does amazing work.

toph · 21 February 2014, 10:31 AM

Awesome work and watch!

cop414 · 21 February 2014, 10:39 AM

Wow, amazing work to an amazing watch. Congratulations.

crowncollection · 21 February 2014, 11:01 AM

Nice work

mjclark32 · 21 February 2014, 11:05 AM

Cleans up great!

Kingair · 21 February 2014, 11:12 AM

Jawade !

This is a nice one and congrats to the both of you !

You for owning a stunning watch and Bob for the really lovely job

Amazing . . .

HAGOne

etp095 · 21 February 2014, 11:17 AM

It looks awesome, Bob's work is sure is amazing. What's the back story on this watch, recent acquisition, original owner?

donaker · 21 February 2014, 11:17 AM

gorgeous. who else is jealous that Bob get to play with such amazing tickers? :)

springer · 21 February 2014, 12:40 PM

Turned out very nice.

Rolex_Collector · 21 February 2014, 01:05 PM

Amazing one of my favorite vintage Rolex

RolexJNJ · 21 February 2014, 01:36 PM

Wow! Looks spectacular!

MitchSteel · 21 February 2014, 02:08 PM

Vincent65 · 21 February 2014, 04:43 PM

nice work, great watch, congrats!

British-GT · 21 February 2014, 05:23 PM

Lovely example.

datejust24 · 22 February 2014, 01:57 AM

wow...gorgeous example.

Cc1966 · 22 February 2014, 02:48 AM

Bob did his wizard work well!

psv · 22 February 2014, 03:17 AM

Top shelf!

katana · 22 February 2014, 05:50 AM

Gorgeous example.............

.

dysondiver · 22 February 2014, 05:52 AM

i love before and after pics ,, very nice indeed

AKRolexfan · 22 February 2014, 08:39 AM

As requested, here is a little bit of back story on my 1655 that is almost done, with Bob Ridley at Watchmakers International (and some additional photos) ...
__________________________________________________ _____________

Purchased in 1981 for $875, from Nordstrom's Fairbanks.
Back then, I can not recall if they were an authorized Rolex dealer, or not. In any event, it was sold as 'new'. Looked new and unworn. I believe I am the original owner.

I wore the watch as a tool watch for about twenty years; working on the north slope oil fields, hunting and fishing, cutting wood...everything.

I remember seeing on one of the forums that a gentleman had a 1655 he wore for close to 40 years, working in the oil fields and it still worked, with no servicing. Not something that one would want to do, but a testament to a great design and Rolex's ability to produce a truly iconic instrument.

Serviced twice, both by Rolex. Thankfully, the hands and face are original. The band is a bit loose, but otherwise in good shape.

Bob will be refinishing 'lightly', replacing the crystal, total internal go through, with a new main spring.

When complete, it will be my dress/ special occasion watch. I hope to interest one of my grand children in fine watches, in order to pass it on.

My no date ceramic Sub will have to take over the field duties, now.

21 February 2014, 10:31 AM	#3
toph "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: ChrisTOPHer Location: Sydney Watch: Rolex, Brellum, Posts: 12,601	Awesome work and watch! __________________ "Where no counsel is the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." Member No.# 11795

21 February 2014, 10:39 AM	#4
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,158	Wow, amazing work to an amazing watch. Congratulations. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

21 February 2014, 11:01 AM	#5
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,215	Nice work __________________ watches many

21 February 2014, 11:05 AM	#6
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Cleans up great! __________________

21 February 2014, 11:17 AM	#8
etp095 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: rudolph Location: chicago burbs Posts: 2,026	It looks awesome, Bob's work is sure is amazing. What's the back story on this watch, recent acquisition, original owner? __________________ tt date circa 69' 5513 circa 81' ss sub w/date (z) pepsi gmt for dad(D) polar expy II(z) 1675 gmt circa 68' ladies datejust on jubilee for mom (z) sea dweller16600(M) SS Sub-C(g) Omega Planet Ocean,45.5 on mesh(2500D)

21 February 2014, 10:23 AM	#2
CrownMe "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Kevin Location: Maryland Watch: My Open 6 Posts: 3,433	Wow what a stunning piece. That is by far my favorite expy. So unique looking. Congrats. Bob does amazing work.

21 February 2014, 11:12 AM	#7
Kingair "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Watch: Not enough ;-) Posts: 21,232	Jawade ! This is a nice one and congrats to the both of you ! You for owning a stunning watch and Bob for the really lovely job Amazing . . . HAGOne

21 February 2014, 11:17 AM	#9
donaker "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Canada Watch: Dad's 5508 Posts: 355	gorgeous. who else is jealous that Bob get to play with such amazing tickers? :)

21 February 2014, 12:40 PM	#10
springer 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: jP Location: Texas Watch: GMT-MASTER Posts: 17,309	Turned out very nice. __________________ Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics.

21 February 2014, 01:05 PM	#11
Rolex_Collector "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Frank Location: NY Posts: 169	Amazing one of my favorite vintage Rolex

21 February 2014, 01:36 PM	#12
RolexJNJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Joe Location: Chicago Posts: 5,036	Wow! Looks spectacular!

21 February 2014, 02:08 PM	#13
MitchSteel "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: MDangerSteel Location: Canada Watch: Vintage Rolex Posts: 2,301	__________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons Probability of survival is inversely proportional to the angle of arrival---Capt. Rage Don't believe anything in aviation, 'till V1---Mitch Danger Steel

21 February 2014, 04:43 PM	#14
Vincent65 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 14,298	nice work, great watch, congrats!

21 February 2014, 05:23 PM	#15
British-GT "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 95	Lovely example.

22 February 2014, 01:57 AM	#16
datejust24 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Chris Location: Cincinnati,Ohio Watch: Rolexssss Posts: 3,504	wow...gorgeous example.

22 February 2014, 02:48 AM	#17
Cc1966 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Christopher Location: Georgia, USA Watch: ing the Sea... Posts: 6,713	Bob did his wizard work well! __________________ "I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778 "*Curmudgeons* " Favorites: 1665 SD, Sub Date, DSSD, Exp II, Sub LV, GMTIIc

22 February 2014, 03:17 AM	#18
psv 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA & France Posts: 11,078	Top shelf!

22 February 2014, 05:50 AM	#19
katana "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Paradis Location: Sweden Watch: Sub.1680/ Datejust Posts: 885	Gorgeous example.............. __________________

22 February 2014, 05:52 AM	#20
dysondiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: tom Location: northern ireland Watch: my fins Posts: 10,063	i love before and after pics ,, very nice indeed

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