A Rolex 1655 Query

[BristolCavendish]

Actually two of them.

(1) Some folks have described the 1655 dial as being a bit too 'busy'. It would seem that Rolex could have easily resolved this issue by initially forgoing (or later eliminating) the 2.5 minute markers on subsequent versions of the 1655.

(2) Compared to the classic GMT and Submariner designs, why did Rolex opt to retool the overall appearance of Explorer IIs? Did they suspect that they had created a non-selling 'dog' model in its original form?

Ironically, some of the original 1655s (e.g. a Mark I) are now approaching $20K. Not bad for a watch that some felt lacked a good design and/or few wanted to buy in its original form.