Freccione A.K.A Steve Mcqueen---Rolex Explorer II

The Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 nicknamed by enthusiasts because the Steve McQueen or 'Freccione' by a few Italian enthusiasts because of the vibrant orange arrow-formed 24-hour hand on the watch the word 'Freccione' originates from the Italian word 'Freccia' meaning "arrow"?a was just created by Rolex from 1971 through 1984. 

During the time of its launch, the watch was intended as a 'tool' watch for cave people that whenever investing days inside a cavern, could not know if it had been day or evening outside. An issue which was easily solved through the 24-hour orange arrow-formed hand that together with the 24-hour military time bezel, is needed them identify day or evening occasions effortlessly. Oddly enough, the 24-hour hand was initially crimson red between 1971 and 1974 as seen on Rolex catalogs and ads in the era, however nowadays, discolored by time, they seem orange to yellow and often almost whitened as with the so known as 'Albino' People.

Now, if this involves the dial versions, the Explorer II ref. 1655 'Freccione' experienced some versions that incorporated using different Rolex coronets like the 'Frog Foot' formed coronet -one of the most original and rare and just present on watches from 1972 through 1977-, using a slightly bigger font and various alignment around the 'Superlative Chronometer.' writing coming initially from the objective III 'Rail Dial' from 1974 through 1977 and finally around 1977-1978 the inclusion of the writing 'T Swiss <25 T' -instead of 'T Swiss T'- on the MK IV and MK V dials. 

The purpose of including the 'T Swiss <25 T' writing was to alert owners of the utilization of tritium -a radioactive substance giving off under 25 mCi- because the luminescent materials around the hands and markers of the watches.

This specific Explorer II ref. 1655 'Freccione' circa 1972 that'll be up for auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers at the outset of April, includes a perfect time period 'straight seconds hand' without any us dot -a characteristic that's only present on 1655s created between 1971 and 1974-, a MK I bezel, silver calendar wheel with open 9s and 6s, reference and case number engravings visible towards the human eye alone, original oyster folded link bracelet with service clasp and just what to the trained eyes appear is the original hands.

Around the wrist, the iconic existence of this reference is simply fascinating and breathtaking. One factor we have always observed when wearing an Explorer II ref. 1655 'Freccione' is the fact that the watch wears slightly more compact than its actual size, but frankly, so what about this when looking for a very coveted stopped Rolex reference like that one.