Important Collectors' Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Mar 16, 2008

LOT 705

Stainless Steel "Steve McQueen" Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual Date, Explorer II, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified?, case No. 3254191, Ref. 1655. Made in 1972. Fine and rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date, special 24-hour bezel and orange hand and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with deployant clasp.

CHF 20,000 - 25,000

USD 18,000 - 23,000 / EUR 12,000 - 16,000

Sold: CHF 21,600

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and protected crown, graduated bezel in 24 hours, crystal with cyclops lens. D. Black with luminous baton and triangular indexes, aperture for the date. Luminous white baton hands, large orange arrow to indicate diurnal and nocturnal hours on the 24-hour graduated bezel. M. Cal. 1570, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness: 14 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3-9-15

Good

Scratched

Slightly rusted

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-04

Good

HANDS Later

Notes

Ref. 1655.
This reference is called ?Steve McQueen? by Englishspeaking collectors and ?Freccione? by Italian collectors. A similar watch is illustrated in ?Collecting Modern and Vintage Rolex Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Edizione Mondani, 2006, vol. 1, p. 398-399.