Lot 31

Rolex

Datejust Turn-O-Graph

An elegant bi-colour wristwatch with date - rare "Turn-O-Graph"

The Turn-O-Graph was introduced in the early 1950s alongside many other Rolex icons. It remained in production until 2011 and is recognized as the first Rolex featuring a rotating bezel - a feature later perfected in the Submariner and GMT-Master series.
The first Turn-O-Graph, reference 6202, closely resembled the Submariner. In 1954 it underwent a comprehensive redesign to distinguish it from the brands’s diver’s watch: the Turn-O-Graph name was dropped, the model became part of the Datejust family, and the bezel was replaced with an engraved metal insert. Although the Turn-O-Graph never won broad public acclaim, it stayed in production. It was officially issued to the U.S. Air Force’s elite Thunderbirds flight demonstration team and sold in North America as the “Rolex Thunderbird” until the end of production. Regular updates followed, with the reference 1626X generation debuting in 1988. As with many Rolex updates, the driving force behind the new generation was a superior movement - caliber 3135 - while design and style remained unchanged. The model was released in multiple versions, with the two-tone reference 16263 becoming one of the most sought-after variants.
This example is in outstanding condition. The dial and hands are flawless. The case and the long bracelet are also very well preserved, showing only minimal signs of wear. The movement winds and starts up immediately, nevertheless we recommend a full service.