Rolex 1625 Turn O Graph

The Rolex Turn O Graph is a good mixture of a dress watch and sports watch. The original Turn-o-Graph was introduced in 1953 and the 6202 that appeared looked. The Rolex 6202 Turn O graph uses the Rolex semi bubbleback movement and it looks like a mini-Submariner that was still to come. It featured a black inlay rotating bezel and was offered with either a black or white honeycomb dial. 

With its introduction, it was actually the brand’s first production model with a rotating bezel. These models are scarce as they were only made for roughly a year until being replaced by the 6309 references.  

By the time of Ref 6309, it was commonly called Thunderbird as during the 6309’s production, the watch became the official watch of the US Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team and took with it the “Thunderbird” nickname that was often used in American Rolex advertising.  Later it evolved to ref 6609 and to ref 1625. It looks like a Datejust but with an additional rotating bezel. Now, this model is known as the Turn O Graph. In roughly 1959, though, the Rolex 1625 Turn-o-Graph was introduced, and it was produced until 1977. There are three versions of the 1625 namely in solid gold, in yellow gold & Steel and in White gold and steel version.

For a Quick reference

Rolex 1600 is with a smooth bezel.

Rolex 1601 is with the fluted bezel.

Rolex 1603 is with the Engine turned bezel.

Rolex 1607 is with the tree buck bezel.

Rolex 1625 is with this 60-minute markers bezel.

Rolex ref 18038 Day date

The Rolex ref 18038 with fluted bezel was produced from 1977 - 1988. It introduced an all-new movement calibre 3055, one that came with a higher frequency, adding to the timekeeping accuracy and overall resilience plus the inclusion of a single Quickset feature made operating the brand’s flagship that bit easier and more convenient. It also introduced the sapphire crystal.

Besides the Rolex 18038, there were other types released at or around the same time; the ref. 18028 had a smooth surround, while the ref. 18048 was hand set with 44 round brilliant cut diamonds. And the ref. 18078 was given an unusual tree-bark finish, 

Later it was replaced by Rolex 18238 calibre 3155 with double quick set from 1989 onwards.

The Rolex Day Date over the years has had some very interesting dials. The Swiss only dial  was made from 1977 till 1997 and it was replaced by Swiss Made dial from 1998.

Below is one with inner Diamonds and 10 ruby markers dial. It is interesting to note that the dial itself is made of 18k solid gold too.

Dial with 18k 750 Markings

Below is another with Jubilee dial in blue with golden applied Arabic numerals. Jubilee dial means that the word ROLEX is engraved into the dial in a repeating pattern. It gives the dial a lot more texture than a normal painted dial

Left a Rose gold 1803 

Rolex 1803 in Rose, White and Yellow Gold

Rolex ref 5075 big bubbleback versus 6104 big bubbleback

There are two periods of 36mm big Bubbleback. The 6075 is an earlier version while the 6104 is the later version. Even though both watches look similar, there are some small differences. One is using the fully concealed bubbleback movement while the other is using the semi closure bubbleback movement.

6075 vs 6104

6104 versus 6075

Rolex Big bubbleback ref 6075

The Rolex Big bubbleback series leading to the Datejust consists of the following: 

Rolex Big Bubbleback using the Full Bubbleback movements

Rolex ref 4467 (solid Gold from year 1945-1949)  

Rolex ref 5030 (Solid gold), Bi colour steel and gold 5031, 5075, 6031 (from year 1949 - 1950)

Rolex ref 6075, 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)

Rolex Big Bubbleback using the Semi Bubbleback movement

Rolex ref 6075 (Bi colour from 1960 - 64)

Rolex 6104, 6105 (Bi colour modified A296，from year 1951 - 1953) 

Rolex 6304, 6305, 6309 (Pre-Thunderbird) (A296，from year 1953 - 1956) 

After some searching, I have finally managed to find the bi colour steel & Big Bubbleback ref 6075 from Binh. Actually, I have seen one Rolex 6075 in Hong Kong, but the seller has a certain attitude that I have decided not to get it from him. In addition, there are some corrosions along the case. This Rolex 6075 is similar looking from the 6104, 6105 except that the movement is the fully covered Bubbleback movement versus the semi Bubbleback movement. However, there are also some Rolex ref 6075 being fitted with the semi bubbleback movement as well.

Many of the Big Bubbleback have dials that were repainted and it will need lots of luck to find them in original condition. This Rolex 6075 has a red Datejust wording below the Oyster Perpetual. This Rolex ref 6075 will fit nicely with my ref 4467,5031,5075,6031,6104, 6105, 6305, 6309 series. With this Rolex 6075, my next aim is the Rolex 5030 in solid gold.

It is interesting to note that there is also a ref 6075 in 18k gold looking similar to the 4467 with its coin edge bezel

Collection of Rolex Big Bubbleback 

I have been finetuning the quantities of my vintage watches by clearing away the non cores series such as the Sandoz watches, Octo, Ogival, Gubelin, Citizen, Titus Calypsomatic, Edox, Mido multifort, etc. In return, I have reinforced my collection Prince Doctors watches, Big Bubbleback as well as focusing on Rolex vintage Datejust and Daydate watches above 36mm

Targets:

1. Rolex 5030 (18k gold)

2. Rolex 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953)

3. Rolex 6104 Rolex Big Bubbleback using the Semi Bubbleback movement 

4. Rolex 6304, 6305

Rolex Big Bubbleback 4467 & 6031 勞力士大泡泡背

These were my earlier posts

Monday, March 14, 2011

Rolex big bubbleback 4467 and 6031 with date

These are the two big bubble backs ref 4467 and ref 6031. Both solid gold, one from the USA and the other from Canada. Really like the rounded body, smooth texture and the nice curves that the bubbleback possessed.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Rolex big bubble back overtone ref 4467

In addition, there is another big full bubble back ref4467. Just added this fat lady into my collection. Saw one in Shanghai too but didn't buy it as the asking price of rmb$70000 is high, but the condition is nice,

Rolex ref 6031 big bubbleback 勞力士大泡泡背

 Thursday, February 03, 2011

Rolex big bubble back ref 6031

There are a few versions of the big bubblback using the full bubble movements. I have always love the bubble back for it's fat round back. Here is a very rare watch. This is a 1950s Rolex datejust know as the "Ovettone" Model number 6031. It is crafted entirely out of 18K pink gold. Diameter is 36mm and 44mm long with 20mm between lugs.

Rolex ref 6104 big bubbleback 勞力士大泡泡背

Earlier post from 2017 when I was working in Thailand…

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Rolex 6104 Big bubbleback

I was looking for a vintage military watch when I went to the vintage watch shop but my attention was immediately drawn to a bubbleback, a Big one. Initially, I thought it was a heavily used 6105 until I use a loop to see the engraving as 6104.

This is a rare 36x44mm (not counting the crown) 14K/ss ROLEX Ref 6104 BIG Bubbleback Oyster OVEVTTONE ca 1952. Research shows that about 1000 of these combined ref 6105 and 6104 Ovettone models were made. The ref 6105 model is with the coin/milled turned bezel is more common than the very rare 6104 model with smooth bezel. This 6104 is even more rare as it is in rose gold bezel and crown. This is the largest of the early Oyster Perpetual Models and this one is with red datewheel. The Ovettone model unlike the earlier and smaller Datejust is larger and is not distinguished by the name Datejust on the dial. The Ovettone Big Bubbleback is also distinguished by the ref numbers 4467, 6031 and 6105, 6104. They are all 2 Star or rare watches as designated in the Shugart price guide to watches.

The big bubbleback date just wasn't using the cyclops magnifying lens, because the cyclops magnifying lens hasn't appeared until 1954. I was lucky as the Italian traders were busy trading his watches with the Thai traders. As he needs to trade for other watches, he was willing to let me have it at a special price! This is indeed a lucky find and the winding crown is an old one with the "+".

From 4467(1945-1949) to 5030，5031，5075，6031(1949 - 1950)，6075，6074(1950 - 1953)，6104，6105(modified A296，1951 - 1953) and early 6304 and 6305(A296，1953 - 1956) all once has the crown mark.

Now, the Rolex big bubbleback can join its family 4467, 6305, 6104, 6031