1655 dial/bezel pairings

[Dan S]

I am trying to learn more about 1655s, and I think I am getting better at identifying the various generations of dial and bezel. However, I'm not entirely clear on which dials may have been originally paired with which bezels. Obviously, one would expect to see Mk1/Mk1, Mk2/Mk2 pairs, etc. But I'd expect that some other combinations were probably also factory correct. I think I have read most of the reference material readily available on the internet, but I'm not sure this issue has been comprehensively addressed, and I'd love to pick the brains of more knowledgeable forum members.

To make this concrete, here is a watch currently for sale on eBay. I realize it has other issues, but I mainly wanted to focus on the dial/bezel pair. I believe that this is a Mk2 dial and Mk4 bezel, according to the naming conventions I have been following on forums. At first I thought it might have been a service bezel, but after looking very closely, I'm pretty sure it is a Mk4. So, at first glance, this seems like a mis-match, but is it? The serial is 4.0M. Is that too early for a Mk4 bezel? This is the type of question I'd like to be able to answer for myself.

I would be delighted if this particular example could lead to a broader discussion about the serial number timelines of 1655 dials and bezels.

[TurboWatch]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I am trying to learn more about 1655s, and I think I am getting better at identifying the various generations of dial and bezel. However, I'm not entirely clear on which dials may have been originally paired with which bezels. Obviously, one would expect to see Mk1/Mk1, Mk2/Mk2 pairs, etc. But I'd expect that some other combinations were probably also factory correct. I think I have read most of the reference material readily available on the internet, but I'm not sure this issue has been comprehensively addressed, and I'd love to pick the brains of more knowledgeable forum members.

To make this concrete, here is a watch currently for sale on eBay. I realize it has other issues, but I mainly wanted to focus on the dial/bezel pair. I believe that this is a Mk2 dial and Mk4 bezel, according to the naming conventions I have been following on forums. At first I thought it might have been a service bezel, but after looking very closely, I'm pretty sure it is a Mk4. So, at first glance, this seems like a mis-match, but is it? The serial is 4.0M. Is that too early for a Mk4 bezel? This is the type of question I'd like to be able to answer for myself.

I would be delighted if this particular example could lead to a broader discussion about the serial number timelines of 1655 dials and bezels.

It is a MK2 dial and MK4 bezel (the oval o). Service bezel has rounded o

[swish77]

Quite common to see dial and bezel types mixed, although it's usually MK1 dial with MK2 bezel, or MK2 dial with MK3 bezel, etc ... Perhaps the example above originally came form the factory with an MK2 with MKIV bezel. Hard to know for sure. (That eBay example is way over-polished, along with some other problems, IMHO.)

There is a lot of info online about this question, especially over on VRF. When I was researching 1655s years ago before I bought mine, the Stefano Mazzariol site was invaluable. Here's a breakdown of the reference and dial/bezel types borrowed from the site.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by TurboWatch

It is a MK2 dial and MK4 bezel (the oval o). Service bezel has rounded o

Many thanks, that confirms what I thought.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by swish77

Quite common to see dial and bezel types mixed, although it's usually MK1 dial with MK2 bezel, or MK2 dial with MK3 bezel, etc ... Perhaps the example above originally came form the factory with an MK2 with MKIV bezel. Hard to know for sure. (That eBay example is way over-polished, along with some other problems, IMHO.)

There is a lot of info online about this question, especially over on VRF. When I was researching 1655s years ago before I bought mine, the Stefano Mazzariol site was invaluable. Here's a breakdown of the reference and dial/bezel types borrowed from the site.

Absolutely, thanks Aaron, and as I mentioned, I totally agree with your overall assessment of that watch. I'd like to give some links for sites with 1655 information here:

https://www.watchprosite.com/rolex/t...54811.3417081/
https://www.watchprozine.com/rolex/t...e/3563066/732/

BTW, information on the latter site suggests that the Mk4 bezel would only be on watches with Mk5 dials, just curious if that's still the consensus view.

[e dantes]

Great information! Always happy to learn more about the 1655.

[mbc]

Originally Posted by swish77

Quite common to see dial and bezel types mixed, although it's usually MK1 dial with MK2 bezel, or MK2 dial with MK3 bezel, etc ... Perhaps the example above originally came form the factory with an MK2 with MKIV bezel. Hard to know for sure.

Agree with this -- there are general guidelines but not hard and fast rules -- I have a 2.77mm mk2 dial with an mk1 bezel. Some sites suggest mk2 dials didn't start until 2.9mm, but i'm pretty convinced it left the factory this way (or put another way, not concerned that it didn't)