Explorer II · Nickname guide
The first Explorer II — reference 1655, with its big orange 24-hour arrow.
Reference
1655
Years
1971–1985
Also called
Steve McQueen
Bezel / dial
Fixed 24-hour, orange arrow
Below: what makes the Freccione (1655) distinctive, what to verify before buying, and how it fits the Naples collector scene.
The 1655 was Rolex's first Explorer II: a fixed steel 24-hour bezel, a black dial, and a distinctive oversized orange 24-hour hand that gave it the “Freccione” name. Its 24-hour hand was fixed to the main hands, serving as a day/night indicator rather than a true GMT.
The “Steve McQueen” nickname is widely used but historically unsupported — McQueen is documented wearing a Submariner, not a 1655.
What to verify
In Naples
The Freccione is a characterful vintage pickup — quirky, orange-accented, and increasingly appreciated — the sort of watch that surfaces through Naples private collections. Confirm dial originality and don't pay a premium for an unproven celebrity association.
We are an independent reference, not a dealer: we cannot sell you a Freccione or appraise one. What we can do is help you read the reference and know what separates a correct example from a cobbled-together one.
Freccione FAQ
It is the first Explorer II, reference 1655 (1971–1985), nicknamed for its large orange 24-hour arrow hand. “Freccione” means big arrow in Italian.
The 1655 is widely nicknamed the “Steve McQueen,” but the link is disputed. McQueen is reliably documented wearing a Submariner, not an Explorer II. Treat the nickname as folklore.
No. The 1655's 24-hour hand is fixed to the main hands as a day/night indicator. Independently adjustable hour hands arrived on the later 16550.
Naples has an active Rolex market through retail, boutiques, and private sales — but Naples Rolex is an independent reference, not a dealer. We don't sell or broker watches. Use this guide to verify a Freccione before you buy, wherever you find it.