Rolex Turn O Graph (Thunderbird) families

My old post's photos seemed to be missing as a result of using Photobucket. Have updated the post with new photos.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Rolex Turn-O-Graph (Thunderbird)

The Rolex Turn-O-graph was introduced in the 1950s with the introduction of the outer bezel in its bubbleback movement watch. The first model numbered as 6202 featured an A.296 movement. Since it was marketed as an adventure watch, it was equipped with a rotating bezel and is produced in stainless steel.

The Turn-o-graph was a forerunner of the Submariner which debuted in 1953, followed by the GMT Master in 1954. In 1956 the Day-Date (or President) model was released, which indicates the day of the month and the day of the week (spelled out in letters)

Being the lover of the Rolex bubbleback I will naturally keep the Ref 6202 Tun-O-Graph as an extension of my bubbleback collections. To some extend, the 6202 also complement my submariner collections of the James Bond sub 5508 as well as the 5513 and 1680 red submariner.

The 6202 model was later replaced by the ref 6309, 6099 and the 1625, 16250. The nomenclature of this watch is derived from the rotating bezel on these particular models, which differs from the stationary bezel of most Datejust Rolexes. I was lucky to be able to find the Rolex 6202 Tun-o-Graph in guilt dial.

Rolex 6202

Rolex 6309

Rolex 6609

The U.S. Air Force was born in 1947, just after World War II. Six short years later, on May 25, 1953, the U.S Air Force developed its official air demonstration team know as the Thunderbirds. The demonstration team was activated at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, with the designation of the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit.

Since Luke Air Force base was located in Arizona, the team adopted the name "Thunderbirds" based upon the American Indian culture and folklore of the American South West. The American Indian legend said there was a great Thunderbird that was an eagle or hawk, and that when this great bird took to the sky, the earth would tremble from the thunderous power of its wings.

In 1959 Rolex developed a special Rolex Datejust for and worn by the U.S. Air Force

20+ yeas ago, when i first started to collect vintage watches in 1988, i have came across the Rolex Thunderbird. I was not attracted to it as it was considered a big watch when the mid size or boy size was popular during that time. Moreover, the watch was less then 30 years of age making it not "vintage" enough in the 1980s.

As such, I have never the intention to extend the Turn-O-Graph collection (often also known as the RolexThunderbird) until I came cross this nice 36mm vintage 1966 Steel with white gold bezel Rolex ref 1625 with jubilee bracelet from the in Zurich this evening.

The fantastic condition of this 46 years old aatch really caught my attention. Times flies! I was torn between the 1625 and another vintage 1979 grey dial 16250 Turn-O-Graph with the quick date adjustment movement. In the end, I have chosen the 1966 model owing to its vintage look. The bicolor yellow gold and steel models are slightly cheaper then the white gold and steel model but I preferred the white gold and steel model as it is more subtle and less flashy. The bicolor models were popular in the 1980s-1990s but looks a little dated now..

The watch looks like the 1601 except that it has a more sporty maker bezel like that of the submariner. However, it has a more elegant look as the bezel is in solid white gold (there are also models with yellow gold bezel or whole solid yellow gold).

The 1625 IMHO has a potential of forward investment as many of the prices for the sports series (Submariner, GMT, Explorer, Daytona) have already increased many folds. The Thunderbird 1625 ,on the other hand, is like a forgotten uncut diamonds waiting to be exploited. Of course, if one wants to continue with the sports trend, one must only go for the white gold 1625 and not the yellow gold ( as the yellow gold) will make the watch a little less sporty.

Left Rolex 6609, Right Rolex 1625

Rolex 6309 vs Rolex 1625

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.