{"product_id":"1961-rolex-vintage-turn-o-graph-thunderbird-datejust-mens-watch-1625-stainless-steel-18k-gold-1","title":"1961 Rolex Vintage Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird Datejust Mens Watch, 1625 - Stainless Steel \u0026 18K Gold","description":"\u003cp\u003eLaunched around 1953, the vintage Turn-O-Graph was designed for adventure lovers. It gained notoriety due to its use by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Flight Team, whose pilots appreciated the practicality of its rotating timing bezel. Long before Rolex created dedicated professional timing watches for every niche, the Turn-O-Graph offered an elegant solution for measuring elapsed time while retaining all of the refinement of a Datejust.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Turn-O-Graph occupied a unique place in Rolex's lineup. More sophisticated than a sport watch yet more functional than a traditional dress watch, it bridged two worlds. Prior to the introduction of the Day-Date President, the solid gold Turn-O-Graph represented the pinnacle of the Rolex catalog. Because the model never sold in large numbers, surviving vintage examples have become increasingly desirable among collectors.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere are some of this watch's features:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e Desirable vintage Turn-O-Graph\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e Beautiful champagne pie-pan dial which gives the watch a classic and more elegant look\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid 18K gold rotating bezel designed to measure elapsed time\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e* \u003c\/strong\u003eOfficially Certified Chronometer caliber 1570 movement - a mechanism that powered models of the Datejusts as well as early Submariner, Explorer, and GMT models\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*\u003c\/strong\u003e Original to the watch Rolex crimped link Jubilee bracelet \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur vintage Turn-O-Graph is original down to its original Rolex bracelet, dial, and hands. Its only replacement part is its steel Rolex crown. Unlike many of these watches, it's bezel has not been heavily polished - it retains strong engine turning.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts case presents in very good condition with fairly mild wear to the bezel and a few indentions in the back. Please inquire if you would like it freshly polished or a new gold Rolex crown installed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe highlight of the watch is its untouched original dial which is just short of mint. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine Rolex parts including a new tube so that the crown screws down well, a correct new mainspring, a new crystal, and a new oscillating weight axles, disassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $1495 value).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is running strong and true, keeping essentially on par with a new Rolex watch in our testing recording position.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor the finishing touch, we have meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNote: A published example of this model can be found in Osvaldo Patrizzi's work Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches, 2001 Edition, Guido Mondani editor, Vol. 2, pg. 39.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. As mentioned, one used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e Rolex \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of origin:\u003c\/b\u003e Switzerland \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel:\u003c\/b\u003e Turn-O-Graph, Ref. 1625 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSerial no.:\u003c\/b\u003e 577,386\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear built:\u003c\/b\u003e Bracelet date stamped early 1961\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/b\u003e Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds, Automatic, Date, Elapsed Time Bezel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesigned for:\u003c\/b\u003e Men \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase material:\u003c\/b\u003e Stainless steel and 18K gold \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Case presents in very good condition with fairly mild wear to the bezel and a few indentions in the back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e 36mm diameter, 12mm thick\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDial:\u003c\/b\u003e Champagne, pie-pan with applied 18K gold baton indexes, outer minute\/seconds divisions, aperture for the date, darkened luminous hour dots, original and untouched, just short of mint with only very slight surface aging to lacquer visible under magnification or very close scrutiny\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHands:\u003c\/b\u003e Original, 18K gold, luminous \"dauphines\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMovement type:\u003c\/b\u003e Rolex caliber 1560, automatic, rhodium-plated, 26 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, mono metallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJewels:\u003c\/b\u003e 26 rubies \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBand:\u003c\/b\u003e Original to the watch, Rolex Jubilee with so-called \"crimped link\" style, stamped 1\/61, steel and gold, fits a wrist up to approx. 9 inches, fairly heavily stretched, the finish presents as scratch-free\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWidth between lugs:\u003c\/b\u003e 20mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrystal type:\u003c\/b\u003e Acrylic, 'cyclops' date magnification, mint condition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eServicing:\u003c\/b\u003e One of our Master Watchmakers, who used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealer and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center to be an authorized Rolex watchmaker, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, replacing any overly worn components with genuine Rolex parts including a new tube so that the crown screws down well, a correct new mainspring, a new crystal, and a new oscillating weight axles, disassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $1495 value).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTiming:\u003c\/b\u003e Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running strong and true, keeping essentially on par with a new Rolex watch in our testing recording position.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/b\u003e 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. As mentioned, one used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBox\/Papers:\u003c\/b\u003e BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReturns:\u003c\/b\u003e 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43617503772761,"sku":"10571SH","price":6595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1219\/5194\/files\/1180184550_o.jpg?v=1783696570","url":"https:\/\/shop.connoisseuroftime.com\/products\/1961-rolex-vintage-turn-o-graph-thunderbird-datejust-mens-watch-1625-stainless-steel-18k-gold-1","provider":"Connoisseur of Time","version":"1.0","type":"link"}