Explorer II · Nickname guide
The disputed nickname for the 1655 Explorer II — a story worth getting right.
Reference
1655
Years
1971–1985
Also called
Freccione
Bezel / dial
Fixed 24-hour, orange arrow
Below: what makes the Steve McQueen (1655) distinctive, what to verify before buying, and how it fits the Naples collector scene.
The 1655 picked up the “Steve McQueen” name in the vintage market, but the evidence points the other way: photographs and accounts tie McQueen to a Submariner (the 5512). No solid record places him in a 1655 Explorer II.
We keep the nickname here because that is how people search — but we flag it as unverified, because accuracy is the point of a reference. The watch's honest nickname is the “Freccione,” for its orange arrow hand.
What to verify
In Naples
If a Naples seller prices a 1655 on the Steve McQueen story, treat that as marketing. Buy the watch — a correct, original Freccione — not the legend, and you will be on solid ground.
We are an independent reference, not a dealer: we cannot sell you a Steve McQueen 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.
Steve McQueen FAQ
Most evidence says no. McQueen is documented wearing a Rolex Submariner (ref. 5512). The “Steve McQueen” Explorer II nickname is widely used but not supported by reliable provenance.
It took hold in the vintage market and stuck because it is memorable and helps the watch sell. We list it because people search for it, while noting it is unverified.
“Freccione” — Italian for big arrow — after the 1655's large orange 24-hour hand. That name describes the watch rather than an unproven owner.
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 Steve McQueen before you buy, wherever you find it.