The Rolex Explorer II ref. 1655 is one of those watches that looks like it wandered out of a 1970s cave expedition and somehow ended up being cool forever. Big orange hand, busy dial, quirky bezel, and that unmistakable “Freccione” nickname people love to drop (sometimes you’ll also hear “Steve McQueen,” even if that story is… generous). Either way, it has a vibe modern Explorer IIs don’t quite replicate.
And because the 1655 is all about character, the strap you put on it matters more than people think. The wrong choice can make it feel costume-y. The right one makes it look like you actually wear the thing.
Size and fit: don’t guess this part
Let’s make the sizing painfully simple, because this is where people mess up:
The Explorer II 1655 is a 39mm case with a 20mm lug width. That means on Helvetus product pages you must select 20mm. Not “close enough,” not “I’ll try 19mm because it’s vintage.” No. Pick 20mm.
If you choose the wrong width, you either get gaps that look sloppy or a strap that fights the lugs and makes installation annoying. The 1655 already has enough visual going on with that bezel and orange hand, so you want the strap to sit clean and purposeful.
The straps that actually suit the 1655
This reference is oddly versatile. It can look rugged, playful, or surprisingly sharp depending on what you put it on. Here are the strap choices I keep coming back to for this watch.
The one that just makes sense on a 1655 is Black/Orange LuxLine®:
Black/Orange Rolex Explorer II Rubber Strap
The Explorer II 1655 practically begs for orange somewhere. The big orange hand is the watch’s signature, and the LuxLine® detail ties into that without turning the whole setup into a Halloween theme. Black keeps it grounded and vintage-friendly, orange gives it that “Freccione” wink. It’s the kind of combo that looks intentional with a jacket, but still feels sporty if you’re in a T-shirt.
If you want the watch to feel more “tool” and less “look at my vintage Rolex,” go plain Black:
Black Rolex Explorer II Rubber Strap
This is the strap I’d pick for everyday wear when I don’t want the strap to steal oxygen from the dial. The 1655 dial is already busy in a good way, and black lets all that typography and patina do the talking. It also makes the case proportions feel a bit tighter and more modern, which is nice if your 1655 wears a little flat on the wrist.
Then there’s Orange for the days you want the watch to feel loud in the best way:
Orange Rolex Explorer II Rubber Strap
This isn’t the “safe” option, but the 1655 isn’t exactly a safe watch. A full orange strap turns the Explorer II into a proper statement piece. It leans into the playful, retro adventure vibe and looks especially good when the dial has aged into that warm creamy territory. I like this one in summer or on weekends when you want the watch to feel fun, not precious.
If you want to browse beyond these, the easiest way is the Explorer II collection page, because it shows the whole range in one place:
All Rolex Explorer II Rubber Straps
You’ll see a variety of colors there, and the straps are available in both deployant and pin buckle versions, so you can pick what suits your daily routine. Some people love the secure, “click-it-and-forget-it” feel of a deployant. Others prefer the simplicity of a pin buckle, especially if they rotate watches a lot.
Buying the right strap from Helvetus, without overthinking it
The key is choosing straps built around the Explorer II case shape so the fit looks clean at the lugs and the watch still wears like a Rolex should. Stick to the Explorer II-specific options, select 20mm on the product page, and you’ll avoid the classic “it technically fits but looks wrong” situation.
If you’re the type who likes having options on hand (different moods, different seasons), that Explorer II collection page is the quickest shortcut:
Straps for all Rolex Explorer II
A quick word on why people stick with Helvetus
With a vintage reference like the 1655, you don’t want drama. You want a strap that fits properly, wears comfortably, and doesn’t feel like a compromise. Helvetus makes that easy: the straps are designed for a precise fit for this Rolex model, backed by a lifetime warranty, shipped free worldwide with no import costs, and they’ve been trusted by 30,000+ customers worldwide. That’s basically the checklist most of us wish every strap purchase came with.
