You can buy a replica Rolex Explorer II 1655 (the orange-hand "Steve McQueen") from online replica dealers that stock vintage Rolex builds. Prices run from about $120 for a quartz or entry automatic to $550 for a Swiss movement piece with a correct dial and folded-link bracelet. Buy from a seller who posts photos of the actual watch, offers a reship policy for customs seizures, and takes a payment method you can dispute.
What Is the Explorer II 1655?
The 1655 is the first Explorer II, sold from 1971 into the late 1970s. It has a fixed 24-hour steel bezel and a large orange arrow hand, built for cave explorers who needed to tell day from night underground. The "Steve McQueen" nickname traces to a photo of the actor wearing one, not to a film role.
how to spot fake rolex explorer 2 1655
Traits a replica has to copy to look right:
Rolex Explorer II 1655 Replica Price: What Each Tier Buys
- 39mm steel case with 20mm lugs
- Fixed 24-hour bezel with engraved numerals
- Black matte dial, orange 24-hour hand, date at 3
- Flat acrylic crystal
- Folded-link Oyster bracelet with hollow end links
Where Do Buyers Actually Find These Watches?
Three channels sell replica Explorer II 1655s, and each carries a different level of risk.
Replica Rolex Explorer 2 1655 Review
- Dedicated replica sites. The widest stock and the clearest photo sets. Quality tracks price, and support is slow.
- Enthusiast forums and subreddits. Buyer reviews and QC photo threads help you sort good sellers from bad ones.
- General marketplaces. Cheap and easy, but the listing photo is rarely the watch you receive.
For a 1655 in particular, the vintage details matter more than the brand badge on a listing. A generic seller with a modern Explorer II photo has probably never built a correct 1655.
How Much Should You Pay for a Replica 1655?
Price separates the replica grades more than any label. Three tiers cover nearly everything on the market.
Entry tier: $100 to $180
Quartz or a low-grade automatic, mineral glass, printed bezel, and an orange hand that leans red. Water resistance is a claim, not a feature.
Mid tier: $200 to $350
Asian 2836 clone or a Seiko NH movement, 316L case, acrylic crystal, folded-link bracelet. This is the sweet spot for most buyers.
High tier: $400 to $600 and up
Swiss ETA, decorated bridges, drilled lugs, sharper dial printing, and a bracelet with correct end links. Returns shrink fast past this point.
Parameters to Check Before You Pay
- Movement: ask for the exact caliber and whether it is Swiss or Asian.
- Case size and lugs: 39mm across, 20mm between the lugs.
- Crystal: acrylic if you want the vintage look, not sapphire.
- Hand color: orange, not red and not yellow.
- Bezel: engraved steel, not a printed insert.
- Dial text: font weight and spacing are the first tell.
- Bracelet: folded links and hollow end links match the era.
- Water resistance: treat any rating above 50m as unproven.
Pitfalls That Cost Buyers Money
- Stock photos instead of QC images of your exact watch.
- No reship policy if customs seizes the parcel.
- Wire transfers and gift cards, which leave you no recourse.
- "Swiss made" claims on a $130 watch.
- Review pages filled in short bursts, a sign of paid posts.
- Listings that show a modern Explorer II and call it a 1655.
How to Vet a Seller in Ten Minutes
- Ask for a timestamped photo of the watch next to a handwritten note.
- Request a close-up of the bezel numerals and the dial text.
- Confirm the movement model in writing before payment.
- Check that the seller answers questions about lume color and bracelet stamping.
- Search the seller name plus "scam" and "seized" before you commit.
- Pay by card or a platform that holds funds until delivery.
Shipping and Customs
Ask which carrier the seller uses and what happens if the parcel is stopped. Serious sellers reship once at no cost, and they will say so before you pay. Vague answers here are the clearest warning sign you will get.
FAQ
How much should I pay for a replica Rolex Explorer II 1655?
Between $200 and $350 buys a wearable watch with an acrylic crystal and a clone automatic movement. Below $150, dial printing and hand color are the usual giveaway.
Will a jeweler spot it?
A trained eye will, from the dial text, the bezel numerals, and the bracelet stamping. From arm's length on a wrist, a mid tier build passes.
Do replica 1655s come with box and papers?
Some sellers add a box and card set for $30 to $60. They are props, not provenance, and they add no value.
Which movement is the best choice?
A Swiss ETA 2836 or an Asian 2836 clone. Any watchmaker can service both, unlike a custom decorated layout that needs special parts.
Bottom Line
Buy the seller first and the watch second. Ask for dated photos, confirm the movement, and use a payment method with a dispute process. That mix matters more than any single spec in the listing.