The replica Rolex Explorer 2 "Steve McQueen" is a copy of Rolex reference 1655, the 1971 tool watch built with a fixed 24-hour bezel and an orange arrow hand. A convincing replica reproduces the 40 mm steel case, the flat bezel, the date at 3 o'clock with no cyclops, and a 24-hour hand that travels with the hour hand rather than jumping on its own.

What reference 1655 is

Rolex launched the Explorer II in 1971 as a companion to the Explorer, aimed at cave explorers and others who spend long stretches without daylight. The 24-hour hand and the engraved bezel let the wearer tell day from night at a glance.

  • 40 mm Oyster case with a screw-down crown and a domed crystal
  • Fixed 24-hour bezel engraved with 24 numerals, not a rotating GMT bezel
  • Matte black dial with painted luminous markers and a large orange 24-hour hand
  • Date window at 3 o'clock without a magnifying cyclops
  • Caliber 1575, the same family used in the Submariner of that era

Where the "Steve McQueen" name comes from

The actor was photographed most often wearing a Submariner, not an Explorer II. The nickname is traced to collectors and dealers who attached his name to the orange-hand Explorer II long after launch. Rolex never marketed the watch that way. The label stuck, and it now drives demand for both genuine 1655s and replica versions, which is why the search term pairs the model with his name.

Dial variants a replica has to match

Genuine 1655 dials changed over the production run, and each variant has its own following. A replica built on the wrong dial is one of the easiest flaws to catch in photos.

  • Early "Frog Foot" coronet dial, where the crown logo has splayed feet
  • Later dials with different font weight and marker proportions
  • "Rail dial" examples where certain letters align vertically like rails

The tell most replicas get wrong: the 24-hour hand

On a genuine 1655 the 24-hour hand is linked to the hour hand. Setting the time moves both together, and there is no separate position for the 24-hour hand. Many replicas use a GMT movement in which the 24-hour hand can be set independently, which changes how the watch behaves and often leaves the hand misaligned at 12. Test this first when you compare builds.

Other details worth checking on a super clone

  • Bezel engraving: numerals should be crisp, evenly spaced, and cut to a consistent depth
  • Orange hand color: too bright or too red is a common flaw against the muted original tone
  • Case profile: mid-case thickness and lug shape should sit close to the original silhouette
  • Crystal height: a dome that sits too tall or too flat changes the whole look on the wrist
  • Movement feel: a rough rotor or noisy winding is obvious at close range
  • Bracelet: link construction, end link fit, and clasp stamping quality

Legal and practical note

Replica watches carry Rolex trademarks, and selling or importing them is illegal in many countries, including the United States. Personal purchases can be seized at customs, and no replica comes with warranty or factory service. If you want the 24-hour fixed-bezel look without that exposure, several mainstream brands offer comparable designs at retail.

Quick checklist before buying

  • Confirm which dial variant the build claims to copy
  • Ask for a video of the time-setting sequence, not just still photos
  • Check crown guard shape and lug hole placement against reference images
  • Compare bezel numerals and hand color under daylight
  • Weigh the customs risk against the price of the build