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1655 Explorer II : Ugly duckling or King of cool ?

369mafia

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After a few modifications to the case and a dial that took a lot of time. Built from the raffles case.




Unfortunately it didn't last very long as I messed up with the keyless work and after disassembling and reassembling it, when I was putting on the u-shaped click spring that holds the date wheel, it sat up. I can't even find the spare part, so I've recommended a new movement. I'm not that close with this watch any more.
That looks great.. That sucks when it happens. You are so close to finished. Keep the faith my friend! You will feel great satisfaction once you have completed it!!
 
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TubeGuy

Known Member
2/2/24
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So California
I want to thank @369mafia for helping me figure out if there were apparent issues with the 1655 I just received and he asked me to post a pic. The watch was one-owner, made in 1979, was serviced in 93, then put in the box for the most part. When you open the warranty card holder it smells old. The bracelet is original and shows minor stretch. The movement is really clean.

It looks so perfect it's almost disturbing. Thanks for the help so much you guys!
hyxEzS.jpeg




hySXVK.jpeg

hy0mmK.jpeg
 

369mafia

Resident Explorer Expert
Patron
Certified
7/7/15
3,840
7,518
113
Canada
I want to thank @369mafia for helping me figure out if there were apparent issues with the 1655 I just received and he asked me to post a pic. The watch was one-owner, made in 1979, was serviced in 93, then put in the box for the most part. When you open the warranty card holder it smells old. The bracelet is original and shows minor stretch. The movement is really clean.

It looks so perfect it's almost disturbing. Thanks for the help so much you guys!
hyxEzS.jpeg




hySXVK.jpeg

hy0mmK.jpeg

What a looker!! Congrats on the pick up!! Wear it in good health.
 

WatchN3RD

I supported. Doesn't make me an expert!
Gold Patron
24/7/18
599
709
93
After a few modifications to the case and a dial that took a lot of time. Built from the raffles case.




Unfortunately it didn't last very long as I messed up with the keyless work and after disassembling and reassembling it, when I was putting on the u-shaped click spring that holds the date wheel, it sat up. I can't even find the spare part, so I've recommended a new movement. I'm not that close with this watch any more.
That's a real bummer. Right when you get your lume worked out.
By the way, I haven't messed up a keyless in a while strictly because I only use the red screwdriver to release the stem. Bigger is better since you can't press too far down. Still a ridiculous idea to have a part that is so fragile, but what do I know.
 

aphmars13

Renowned Member
Supporter
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4/10/22
935
1,640
93
South of France
That's a real bummer. Right when you get your lume worked out.
By the way, I haven't messed up a keyless in a while strictly because I only use the red screwdriver to release the stem. Bigger is better since you can't press too far down. Still a ridiculous idea to have a part that is so fragile, but what do I know.
I applied it with the nail art brushes. I'm quite happy with the result.
 

FlockaWaka

Getting To Know The Place
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17/9/24
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This watch has a cool history and wow the indices look awesome
 

WatchN3RD

I supported. Doesn't make me an expert!
Gold Patron
24/7/18
599
709
93
That looks great.. That sucks when it happens. You are so close to finished. Keep the faith my friend! You will feel great satisfaction once you have completed it!!
Just wanted to agree here. Not only does it look good, you made the dial too. You have to finish it! Not that long ago, you had trouble with the white paint sticking to the dial, and now you've got an entire watch that literally looks the part.
It's easier with an endless budget, but 1000x more impressive when you are involved in so many aspects of the entire build.

There's my motivational speech for you, but I'm being serious!
 

aphmars13

Renowned Member
Supporter
Certified
4/10/22
935
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93
South of France
I'm just waiting for the new movement to be delivered: this watch has pissed me off but I've spent so much time on it that I'm sure I'll finish it. Plus today when I opened my laptop, as I was watching a video of the Keyless dg3804 to repair it: stuck in a key on the keyboard, I discovered a little spring 😂. I won't mention it to my children who had to look for this little spring on the floor for 30 minutes 😂😂
 

369mafia

Resident Explorer Expert
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Certified
7/7/15
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Canada
I'm just waiting for the new movement to be delivered: this watch has pissed me off but I've spent so much time on it that I'm sure I'll finish it. Plus today when I opened my laptop, as I was watching a video of the Keyless dg3804 to repair it: stuck in a key on the keyboard, I discovered a little spring 😂. I won't mention it to my children who had to look for this little spring on the floor for 30 minutes 😂😂
aint that how it always happens hahah
 

369mafia

Resident Explorer Expert
Patron
Certified
7/7/15
3,840
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Canada
I have received the new Raffles 1655 dial. Its quite nice. better quality than the one I currently have in my watch, which was from raffles - his old stock .

ITs a toss up between a mk4 and mk6 dial Its got feet for the eta and the dg movements and does not require a dwo as the window is in the correct position.

cons the II symbol in macro looks like a box. more than the number II but its defiantly not a deal breaker if you are looking to build a budget 1655

This dial will fit his sub cases but have not confirmed if it will fit the cartel 1655 case without modification.

IMG_9957__50285.1727611984.1000.1200.JPG



 
Last edited:

1016 lover

Renowned Member
4/10/22
539
952
93
I have received the new Raffles 1655 dial. Its quite nice. better quality than the one I currently have in my watch, which was from raffles - his old stock .

ITs a toss up between a mk4 and mk6 dial Its got feet for the eta and the dg movements and does not require a dwo as the window is in the correct position.

cons the II symbol in macro looks like a box. more than the number II but its defiantly not a deal breaker if you are looking to build a budget 1655

This dial will fit his sub cases but have not confirmed if it will fit the cartel 1655 case without modification.

IMG_9957__50285.1727611984.1000.1200.JPG



I ve noticed than the indexes are not well synchronised on thé lower side, i prefer to fit a dwo, it miss a lume square because of thé windows position
 

WatchN3RD

I supported. Doesn't make me an expert!
Gold Patron
24/7/18
599
709
93
That's a real bummer. Right when you get your lume worked out.
By the way, I haven't messed up a keyless in a while strictly because I only use the red screwdriver to release the stem. Bigger is better since you can't press too far down. Still a ridiculous idea to have a part that is so fragile, but what do I know.
Well, my luck ran out! I'd like to add another keyless to the graveyard. May that design rot in piss, I mean rest in peace?

 

aphmars13

Renowned Member
Supporter
Certified
4/10/22
935
1,640
93
South of France
That's a real bummer. Right when you get your lume worked out.
By the way, I haven't messed up a keyless in a while strictly because I only use the red screwdriver to release the stem. Bigger is better since you can't press too far down. Still a ridiculous idea to have a part that is so fragile, but what do I know.
I personally used the smallest screwdriver. Thanks for the tip. I dismantle and reassemble keyless all the time whether it's 2813 dg3804 2834 2836 hz6460 because I was pushing the stud too much the bigger screwdriver is the solution I hadn't even thought of 😅.... I feel a bit of an idiot
 

pf78

downsizing
Certified
23/6/17
1,504
4,195
113
Recently I have came across a vietnam build for sale locally, not gonna lie it's tempting but i have 2 questions in mind:
1. cyclops magnification looks off, is my eye playing tricks? [i'm used to dome plexis without cyclops]
2. numbers on the rep datewheel looks painted rather than painted, is that normal among reps?

Specs: [which i think is acceptable for the price]
vietnam case/dial/hands
mk2 bezel
mk3 dial



gen pic from internet:
fa3cd847ca53f7586cc627fd23c0e9d1c69497ab.jpg
 
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369mafia

Resident Explorer Expert
Patron
Certified
7/7/15
3,840
7,518
113
Canada
Recently I have came across a vietnam build for sale locally, not gonna lie it's tempting but i have 2 questions in mind:
1. cyclops magnification looks off, is my eye playing tricks? [i'm used to dome plexis without cyclops]
2. numbers on the rep datewheel looks painted rather than painted, is that normal among reps?

Specs: [which i think is acceptable for the price]
vietnam case/dial/hands
mk2 bezel
mk3 dial



gen pic from internet:
fa3cd847ca53f7586cc627fd23c0e9d1c69497ab.jpg

Interesting. and its being sold along side Gens? Did the dealer tell you it was a rep?

The mag on the cyclops is subjective. So many different crystals that offer different mag levels some are stronger than another. This is being discussed in a gmt 6542 thread this week .

The DW does look rather odd. the brushed steel look is normal but the font of the numbers does look engraved and deep.
interesting..never seen one like that before...

The rest of the watch looks good....except for the lume on the hands is a bit dark for my tastes...

if it was viet parts

diall 300
case 700

I assume its running an ETA 2836?
 

1016 lover

Renowned Member
4/10/22
539
952
93
Any source for jkf 1655 with 2836 compatibility?
Initialy d liké to build arround thé raffle 1675 case but hesitate now...

The case from the previoys post look like a 1675, thé crown IS for sure 5.3 and the cg look more like a 1675 than a 1655
 

pf78

downsizing
Certified
23/6/17
1,504
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113
Interesting.
Seller stated it's a rep.

Same thought on the DW, i search thru gens and reps, never seen a similar DW, one more question tho:
- Is a period correct DW/DWO be sourced? [a open 6/9 DWO was very very hard to find for a 1680]

All it's all viet parts and its around 1k USD with raffles bracelet

And yes its running a eta 2836