The Steve McQueen Rolex Explorer II

Rolex Explorer II 1655

Originally created for cave explorers who would tend to loose track of day and night for spending hours at a time in the dark, the Rolex Explorer II 1655, or what is known today as the Steve McQueen Rolex, is one of the most craved vintage watches in the world. Although to this day it is questionable where the Explorer II gained its nickname, its association with Steve McQueen is what begets this particular model its legendary reputation. With so many questions surrounding the The Rolex Explorer II, it said to be a real mysterious indeed. 

First introduced in 1971, the Rolex Explorer II featured an orange extra hour hand and a straight seconds hand. After 1975, the Explorer II went through a slight make over and was given a red extra hour hand, although there is speculation amongst collectors as some claim that red hands can fade to orange and orange hands can fade to yellow. Granted these details may seems meager, its the straight seconds and orange extra hour hands that make the Explorer II 1655 more valuable than other Explorer II models on the market. Nevertheless despite its popularity today, the Explorer II was not in demand during its time in production as some considered its dial too busy and illegible. 

Rolex Explorer II Watch Strap

Steve McQueen

Aside for its hands though, the Explorer II has no other discerning feature that sets this model apart from the rest. Its sole claim to fame and fortune is its connection with the “king of cool”, regardless of the lack of proof if Steve McQueen actually wore one himself. 

COSC certified, The Rolex Explorer II 1655 has a 38mm diameter case, Rolex Oyster bracelet for a watch strap, automatic movement, plexiglass, date with cyclops lens, GMT feature, second time zone, and acrylic crystal screw down crown.

Explorer II Leather Watch Strap

Although the 1655 Rolex Explorer II watch band is a Rolex Oyster bracelet, over the years the 1655 Explorer II has graced a variety of different watch straps, like leather watch bands, or nato watch straps.

So whats the point of owning a 1655 Rolex Explorer II one may ask? Its like the equivalent of gaining membership to an exclusive treehouse club, where the door bears the mandatory hand written “no girls allowed” disclaimer, and the password is “orange GMT hand”. Only collectors and watch connoisseurs can notice the scant yet important details that make the 1655 unique, and that in itself is rewarding for the watch enthusiast. 

Explorer II Watch Band

What sets a man apart from a boy is the price of his toys. 

Rolex Revisited: Rolex Explorer Watch

Rolex Explorer 39mm

Throughout its span in production the Rolex Explorer has been through an array of modifications. Originally manufactured as something else, the Rolex Explorer watch earned its name from being one of the first watches to reach the peak of Mount Everest. Since then, it has been acknowledged as the official watch for mountain climbers and extreme sports seeker for its endurance against severe temperatures, and impressive durability. 

Born in 1953, the Rolex Explorer watch is made out of remarkably strong 904L Steel, runs on an in house self winding perpetual mechanical movement, has a 39mm diameter case, monoblock middle case, screw down case back, stop seconds function, and winding crown with trip lock double waterproofness. Waterproof up to 100 meters, or 330 feet, the black dial features center hour, minute, and seconds hands illuminated by Chromalight, a distinctive luminescence that lasts double the length of time as common luminescent materials. Additionally, the dial features large 3-6-9 hour markers and bears the Officially Certified Swiss Chronometer seal. 

Rolex Explorer Watch Band

Thanks to the paramagnetic blue parachrom hairspring oscillator, this little warrior has high performance paraflex shock absorbers. 

Rolex Explorer Watch Strap

Available in 904L Stainless Steel, the watch strap for the Rolex Explorer watch band is an oyster strap. 

Rolex Deepsea Watch Strap Alternative

Rolex Deepsea Watch

The Rolex Deepsea is among the huskier models by Rolex. With its impressive functionality of withstanding over three tonnes of force and depths of 3,900 meters, this watch is popular amid professional divers and fellow adventurers.

Now available in D-Blue Dial, this new ombre style is a perfect match with Rubber B's watch band for the Rolex Deepsea dual colored VULChromatic tang buckle watch strap series. Rubber B's watch strap has been fabricated from our exclusive strength infusion technology, which provides upgraded protection against friction, weight, and micro adjustment occurring naturally from wear. During the moulding process, Carbon fiber molecules are fused within vulcanized rubber resulting in increased vertical and lateral resistance while remaining supple and comfortable.

Rolex Watch Strap

Thanks to our special edition Glidelock Clasp attachment feature you don't have to compromise the convenient and innovative Glidelock Clasp adjustment system if you wish to keep the original Rolex clasp during the customization of your watch band. As featured in A Blog to Watch, this carbon fiber line has been especially engineered to fit the Deepsea case lug with its special blocked integration system for a flawless mount. Our technology provides an exact fit without the need of links from the original Rolex Oyster bracelet. Rubber B's watch straps meet FDA and BVVG specifications and are non allergen, non toxic, and non marking.


Now available in either solid Jet Black or Devil Red, or dual-colored VULChromatic Jet Black/Mandarin Orange, Jet Black/Arctic White, and Jet Black/Pacific Blue in the tang buckle bracelet series. Or in the Glidelock edition in Jet Black. Get your very own watch band here. 

Rolex Deepsea Watch Band