Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Du Rhône, Oct 15, 2006

LOT 253

Ref. 1655, Stainless Steel So-Called "Steve McQueen" Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual Date, Explorer II, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified?, case No. 3585248, Ref. 1655. Made in 1974. Fine, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with date, special 24-hour bezel and hand and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

CHF 13,000 - 16,000

EUR 8,200 - 10,000 / USD 11,000 - 13,000

Sold: CHF 15,340

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and protected crown, graduated bezel in 24 hours, crystal with ?cyclops" lens. D. Black with luminous indexes, aperture for the date. Luminous white bâton hands, large orange arrow to indicate the diurnal and nocturnal hours on the 24-hour graduated bezel. M. Cal. 1575 GMT, rhodiumplated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness: 14 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-9

Good

Scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 1655. This reference is called ?Steve McQueen? by Englishspeaking collectors and ?Freccione? by Italian collectors. Caliber 1575 is an improved version of the caliber 1570. The bridge of the caliber 1575 is however still engraved 1570. For the technical details see the Rolex spare parts catalogue R5. A similar watch is illustrated in ?Collecting Modern and Vintage Rolex Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Edizione Mondani, 2006, vol. 1, p. 398-399.