Rolex Vault › All references › Explorer
Explorer · 1971 to 1984 · Discontinued · Vintage
“Freccione / Steve McQueen”
Graded on the vintage scale: rank #15 of 26 rated vintage references
Market range centered on the median of 7 recorded eBay sales in the last 12 months (thin data, treat as a guide). Vintage sales include serviced and redialed examples, so the best original pieces can sell above it.
Median recorded eBay sale price for each quarter with 3 or more sales. Dashed line marks the 1973 retail price.
The spelunker's watch with the giant orange arrow, nicknamed for Steve McQueen who never actually wore one. The myth priced itself in anyway.
A commercial flop in period, which is exactly why clean ones are rare now.
The orange-hand Explorer II that nobody bought in the 70s, allegedly worn by Steve McQueen (there's no photo; the nickname won anyway). Cave explorers were the target market, there were not many cave explorers.
Commercial failure then, grail now: the 'Freccione' (big arrow) is among the most recognizable vintage sports Rolexes, with five dial marks and a straight-hand early version that specialists pay up for.
Our verdict: Cult vintage with the best nickname economics in Rolex. Condition and originality are the entire game.
| Sizes | 39mm |
|---|---|
| Case & bracelet | Oystersteel (stainless) |
| Factory bracelet | Oyster |
| Factory bezels | Fixed steel 24-hour |
| Notable dials | Matte black, big orange 24h hand |
| Caliber | 1575 |
| Production | 1971 to 1984 (discontinued) |
| Sold | Example | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $17,008 |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale ↗︎ | $25,649 |
| Jun 14, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale | $28,200 |
| May 7, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale | $15,800 |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale | $28,000 |
| Jan 27, 2026 | Pre-owned · eBay sale | $17,000 |
Recorded eBay completed sales, logged at our last data refresh.
Recorded eBay sales from the last 12 months put the typical Rolex Explorer II 1655 at $25,600, with the middle half selling between $23,300 and $28,000 (7 sales). Condition, box and papers move the price within that range.
The Crown Index grades it C+ (67/100) from real resale data, and today's call is watch. Middle-of-the-pack resale; fine to own, not one to buy expecting it to rise. Past prices are not a forecast.