1971 | Rolex Explorer II “Steve McQueen” ref 1655 In 1971, they launched the natural heir to the Explorer, the Rolex Explorer II. But rather than simply updating the Explorer, it was a completely different timepiece. br – Made for professional cave explorers, the new Explorer came with a large 24-hour hand and a stainless steel bezel with 24-hour markings that can help tell night from day. – Being a very niched offering, it was met with some skepticism, but grew in popularity and enjoyed a fourteen-year production span. |