Watch Paparazzi

Actor Jason Statham spotted wearing Rolex

Jason Statham was recently spotted on the wrist of one of Hollywood's most consistently watch-literate stars — the Rolex Explorer II Reference 1655, a vintage tool watch that has quietly become one of the most coveted pieces in serious collector circles. Statham, whose taste in watches leans toward purposeful, understated pieces rather than flashy complications, looks entirely at home with this particular reference on his wrist.

The Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655 was launched in 1971, positioned as a specialist instrument for speleologists — cave explorers who needed to distinguish day from night underground. Its defining features include a fixed stainless steel 24-hour bezel, an outsized orange GMT hand known among collectors as the 'Freccione' (Italian for 'big arrow'), and an applied serif 'Explorer II' dial. Early examples ran on the calibre 1575 movement, a 26-jewel automatic with a 48-hour power reserve, later updated to the calibre 1570. Case diameter sits at 40mm — modest by today's standards, but commanding in period context.

The 'Steve McQueen' nickname attached to the 1655 is one of watch collecting's great apocryphal stories. No documented evidence places the Bullitt star with this specific reference, yet the association stuck — testament to how perfectly the watch's raw, functional character aligned with McQueen's screen persona. That mythology, combined with genuine scarcity and a relatively short 14-year production run ending in 1985, has driven collector demand sharply upward over the past decade.

Statham's affinity for vintage Rolex is well documented. The former competitive diver turned action star has been spotted across multiple references over the years, suggesting a collector's eye rather than a stylist's hand. The 1655 suits his on-screen identity — durable, direct, and requiring no explanation.

On the current grey market, honest examples of the Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655 in good original condition command significant premiums. Prices vary considerably by dial condition, tritium patina, and originality of parts, but strong examples regularly trade well above five figures. It remains one of vintage Rolex's most narratively rich references.