Rolex Explorer II Freccione "Albino Mk2" - 23.000€

The Explorer II reference 1655, nicknamed “Freccione,” is one of the most distinctive vintage sports watches ever produced by Rolex. Introduced in 1971 and produced until 1984, it was designed specifically for cave explorers, polar adventurers, and anyone operating in environments where daylight is absent. Its defining feature is the large orange 24-hour hand shaped like an arrow : “freccione” means “big arrow” in Italian. It allows the wearer to distinguish between day and night when natural light cues are unavailable. Unlike modern Explorer II models, this hand is not independently adjustable and does not function as a true second time zone; instead, it simply indicates a 24-hour cycle against the fixed steel bezel engraved with 24-hour markings. The watch measures around 38 mm, uses a robust automatic movement (caliber 1570), and features a plexiglass crystal, all typical of Rolex tool watches of the era. At the time of release, it was not a commercial success, but decades later it has become highly collectible due to its unusual design, strong vintage character, and clear purpose-built aesthetic. Today, the 1655 Freccione is widely regarded as the purest expression of the Explorer II concept: a rugged, legible instrument watch with a unique personality that stands apart from more conventional Rolex sports models.

The example we have here has a particularly fascinating detail: its original orange 24-hour hand has aged dramatically over time, fading to a much lighter tone: almost white. Among collectors, this type of patina is often nicknamed the “Albino.”