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Freccione 1655 · 8 December 2007, 04:35 AM

Hello Everyone,
I own a model 1655 Explorer II. This is the orange hand Explorer II refered to as the Freccione or Steve McQueen edition. I have just recently found out that this watch has become a highly desired collector watch and valued at up $20,000. Does anyone know or have an opinon if I should keep this watch for an investment or sell it now? I have asked a few jewelers and can't get an honest answer from them. All they want is to buy it from me. I would like to sell it, but am not sure if they are still increasing in value, if so, I would keep it for an investment. Because I just found out about it's value, I don't know the history of this model over the past few years. Has it been increasing in value or has it peaked out now? I'm also concerned that it may drop in value over time. Mine is a 1973 and I have owned it since 1980. It's in #1 condition as I hardly ever wear it.
Thanks, Eric

f16570 · 8 December 2007, 04:39 AM

I for one would keep it, but if it is of no interest then why not sell it?

f

arttay10 · 8 December 2007, 04:49 AM

How quickly people jump on the band waggon...

mike · 8 December 2007, 04:52 AM

Eric, your 1655 is an extremely desirable piece (assuming all correct) and is considered a "grail" to many collectors. Vintage pricing on certain references (of which one is yours) has reached levels that have closed many out of the market.
Indeed the 1655 has experienced an amazing growth in value in the last several years and my reading of the collecting community is that this is a reference that has "legs".
The question many ask themselves is can select models maintain the rate of increase in value they have experienced in the past? For some I believe this is the case--including yours.

As to what is a realistic value on a given example, so many factors enter in. Condition is always paramount, as well as box, papers, and service history and proverance.

In general, I'm not one to favor watches as an investment as what may be appealing to future collectors is something we cannot predict. Having said that, IMHO the 1655 is a reference that has staying power with increasing value as more collectors with the wear with all enter the market competing for a finite commodity.

scottschoe · 8 December 2007, 07:26 AM

If you never wear it, might as well sell.

Freccione 1655 · 8 December 2007, 07:39 AM

Thanks for the replies. I wanted to add that I have not worn this watch much in the past, but I now would like to wear my Rolex daily. With this watch being in such good condition and highly collectable, it may be best not to wear this one anymore. I'm told the plastic lens on this one is very expensive to replace if needed. My plan is to buy a new Explorer II and either keep the 1655 for a while as an investment, or sell it now to help pay for the new Explorer.

Beef · 8 December 2007, 07:50 AM

I have one.(Upper Right in the avatar.) Bought it from www.wannabuyawatch.com two and a half years ago for $12,000. Check their site now or www.artoftime.com . I'm with Mike on this. It's a solid piece with a bright future. Look at the original Milguass. Now $60,000-70,000. They say that there are people who will actually pay that. Both of these were unpopular models at the time. I wear my 1655. That's why I bought it. Several questions you need to ask yourself. Do you NEED the money NOW? Do you LIKE the watch? Do you WEAR the watch? Is there someone that you could pass it to when you die that would appreciate it? ( If they would just sell it, you might as well have the money.) If you answered no to the first and yes to 2 of the others, I'd keep it.

Thani · 8 December 2007, 08:31 AM

keep it man.. vintage is the key to the future..

dunno what that means lol but ya just keep it

Thani · 8 December 2007, 08:32 AM

im still thinking of what i just said.. lol

Thani · 8 December 2007, 08:37 AM

it does have a meaning in a way,, but ya once again keep the watch

Gaijin · 8 December 2007, 10:10 AM

Keep it. I think it can only increase in value.

Downing · 8 December 2007, 10:18 AM

Sell it!

You never know what the future holds...

stefano · 26 August 2011, 04:28 AM

Sold?

TSW · 26 August 2011, 04:40 AM

Keep it!

psv · 26 August 2011, 04:42 AM

Friends - this thread it 3-4 years old!

TSW · 26 August 2011, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psv

Friends - this thread it 3-4 years old!

Paulie 50 · 26 August 2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freccione 1655

Hello Everyone,
I own a model 1655 Explorer II. This is the orange hand Explorer II refered to as the Freccione or Steve McQueen edition. I have just recently found out that this watch has become a highly desired collector watch and valued at up $20,000. Does anyone know or have an opinon if I should keep this watch for an investment or sell it now? I have asked a few jewelers and can't get an honest answer from them. All they want is to buy it from me. I would like to sell it, but am not sure if they are still increasing in value, if so, I would keep it for an investment. Because I just found out about it's value, I don't know the history of this model over the past few years. Has it been increasing in value or has it peaked out now? I'm also concerned that it may drop in value over time. Mine is a 1973 and I have owned it since 1980. It's in #1 condition as I hardly ever wear it.
Thanks, Eric

Nothing has changed since you posted in 2008, just the price.

Jason71 · 26 August 2011, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psv

Friends - this thread it 3-4 years old!

And he sold the watch several years ago, and he hasn't posted in 2 years.

bayerische · 26 August 2011, 05:17 AM

Keep it, most likely it will become more rare.

If you need the money, sell it, but here online, not to a jeweler or pawn shop, as they will not pay you 20K. Not even near.

bayerische · 26 August 2011, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

And he sold the watch several years ago, and he hasn't posted in 2 years.

ME =

Jason71 · 26 August 2011, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayerische

ME =

Happens to the best of us Andreas

bayerische · 26 August 2011, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

Happens to the best of us Andreas

I hope so!

Well my mother used to say "think before you act".

Or was it "hit".

mailman · 26 August 2011, 05:34 AM

IBTL

8 December 2007, 07:26 AM	#5
scottschoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CA Posts: 3,295	If you never wear it, might as well sell. __________________ __________________

8 December 2007, 07:50 AM	#7
Beef "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,824	I have one.(Upper Right in the avatar.) Bought it from www.wannabuyawatch.com two and a half years ago for $12,000. Check their site now or www.artoftime.com . I'm with Mike on this. It's a solid piece with a bright future. Look at the original Milguass. Now $60,000-70,000. They say that there are people who will actually pay that. Both of these were unpopular models at the time. I wear my 1655. That's why I bought it. Several questions you need to ask yourself. Do you NEED the money NOW? Do you LIKE the watch? Do you WEAR the watch? Is there someone that you could pass it to when you die that would appreciate it? ( If they would just sell it, you might as well have the money.) If you answered no to the first and yes to 2 of the others, I'd keep it. __________________ "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." "So you have enemies. Good. You must have stood up for something, sometime in your life." Winston Churchill

8 December 2007, 10:18 AM	#12
Downing "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Downing Location: Portland, Oregon Watch: SD ExpII GO Nav ND Posts: 1,640	Sell it! You never know what the future holds... __________________ One if by land, one if by sea, one if by air and one uh, just to tell time. Rolex Explorer II White Rolex Sea-Dweller Glashütte Original Navigator Panerai 183 G Black Seal

26 August 2011, 04:40 AM	#14
TSW "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: TSW Location: Le Brassus Watch: Rolex & AP's Posts: 27,449	Keep it! __________________ AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection

26 August 2011, 05:17 AM	#19
bayerische "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Andreas Location: Margaritaville Watch: Smurf Posts: 19,879	Keep it, most likely it will become more rare. If you need the money, sell it, but here online, not to a jeweler or pawn shop, as they will not pay you 20K. Not even near. __________________ Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

8 December 2007, 04:35 AM	#1
Freccione 1655 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Eric Location: Wisconsin, USA Watch: 1973 1655 Exp II Posts: 37	Orange Hand "Freccione" Explorer II 1655, Keep or Sell? Hello Everyone, I own a model 1655 Explorer II. This is the orange hand Explorer II refered to as the Freccione or Steve McQueen edition. I have just recently found out that this watch has become a highly desired collector watch and valued at up $20,000. Does anyone know or have an opinon if I should keep this watch for an investment or sell it now? I have asked a few jewelers and can't get an honest answer from them. All they want is to buy it from me. I would like to sell it, but am not sure if they are still increasing in value, if so, I would keep it for an investment. Because I just found out about it's value, I don't know the history of this model over the past few years. Has it been increasing in value or has it peaked out now? I'm also concerned that it may drop in value over time. Mine is a 1973 and I have owned it since 1980. It's in #1 condition as I hardly ever wear it. Thanks, Eric

8 December 2007, 04:39 AM	#2
f16570 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: F Location: Scotland Watch: Exp II White Face Posts: 4,272	I for one would keep it, but if it is of no interest then why not sell it? f

8 December 2007, 04:49 AM	#3
arttay10 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancashire, UK Watch: ???????? Posts: 2,187	How quickly people jump on the band waggon...

8 December 2007, 04:52 AM	#4
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Eric, your 1655 is an extremely desirable piece (assuming all correct) and is considered a "grail" to many collectors. Vintage pricing on certain references (of which one is yours) has reached levels that have closed many out of the market. Indeed the 1655 has experienced an amazing growth in value in the last several years and my reading of the collecting community is that this is a reference that has "legs". The question many ask themselves is can select models maintain the rate of increase in value they have experienced in the past? For some I believe this is the case--including yours. As to what is a realistic value on a given example, so many factors enter in. Condition is always paramount, as well as box, papers, and service history and proverance. In general, I'm not one to favor watches as an investment as what may be appealing to future collectors is something we cannot predict. Having said that, IMHO the 1655 is a reference that has staying power with increasing value as more collectors with the wear with all enter the market competing for a finite commodity.

8 December 2007, 07:39 AM	#6
Freccione 1655 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Eric Location: Wisconsin, USA Watch: 1973 1655 Exp II Posts: 37	Thanks for the replies. I wanted to add that I have not worn this watch much in the past, but I now would like to wear my Rolex daily. With this watch being in such good condition and highly collectable, it may be best not to wear this one anymore. I'm told the plastic lens on this one is very expensive to replace if needed. My plan is to buy a new Explorer II and either keep the 1655 for a while as an investment, or sell it now to help pay for the new Explorer.

8 December 2007, 08:31 AM	#8
Thani Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Thani Location: Dubai UAE Watch: Milgauss 116400 GV Posts: 2,082	keep it man.. vintage is the key to the future.. dunno what that means lol but ya just keep it

8 December 2007, 08:32 AM	#9
Thani Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Thani Location: Dubai UAE Watch: Milgauss 116400 GV Posts: 2,082	im still thinking of what i just said.. lol

8 December 2007, 08:37 AM	#10
Thani Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Thani Location: Dubai UAE Watch: Milgauss 116400 GV Posts: 2,082	it does have a meaning in a way,, but ya once again keep the watch

8 December 2007, 10:10 AM	#11
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,179	Keep it. I think it can only increase in value.

26 August 2011, 04:28 AM	#13
stefano "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 7	Sold?

26 August 2011, 04:42 AM	#15
psv 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA & France Posts: 11,078	Friends - this thread it 3-4 years old!

26 August 2011, 05:34 AM	#23
mailman TRF Moderator & SubLV41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,510	IBTL __________________ JJ

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