Launched 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 Aerobatic Flight Team. It features a bi-directional bezel to measure elapsed time, making it the most functional and expensive watch in the Datejust line. In fact, prior to the introduction of the Day-Date President, the solid gold Turn-O-Graph was the most expensive Rolex cataloged.

The watch did not originally enjoy terribly strong sales success and thus not a tremendous number were made, making vintage examples sought after by collectors.

Here are some of this watch's features:

* Desirable vintage Turn-O-Graph
* Beautiful champagne pie-pan dial which gives the watch a classic and more elegant look
* Solid 18K gold rotating bezel designed to measure elapsed time
* Officially Certified Chronometer caliber 1570 movement - a mechanism that powered models of the Datejusts as well as early Submariner, Explorer, and GMT models

Our vintage Turn-O-Graph has all of its original parts and presents in beautiful condition. Our photos couldn't do it justice. It was acquired from an authorized Rolex dealership.

Its case presents as better than near mint. Its bezel, which has never been polished, perfectly retains all of its facets. The underside of the case shows very light remnants of wear and the bezel shows very light wear. On the wrist it presents as close to mint.

Its untouched original dial is mint with very nicely toned luminous.

Any needed servicing has been performed by a Rolex authorized Master Watchmaker. It is running strong and true, keeping time better than many new Rolex watches in our testing recording position.

For the finishing touch, the Rolex authorized dealer installed a new Rolex crocodile strap and gold-plated Rolex signed buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment.

Included 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.

Note: 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.

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. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

Manufacturer: Rolex
Country of origin: Switzerland
Model: Turn-O-Graph, Ref. 1601/34 / 1625
Serial no.: 5,319,591
Year built: c. 1978
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds, Automatic, Date, Elapsed Time Bezel
Designed for: Men
Case material: Stainless steel and 18K gold
Case condition: Presents as better than near mint.
Dimensions: 36mm diameter, 12mm thick
Dial: Champagne, pie-pan with applied 18K gold baton indexes, outer minute/seconds divisions, aperture for the date, original and untouched, mint condition
Hands: Original, 18K gold, luminous batons with original toned luminous
Movement type: Rolex caliber 1570, 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
Jewels: 26 rubies
Band: Rolex, crocodile, installed by a Rolex AD with gold-plated Rolex signed buckle, brand new
Width between lugs: 20mm
Crystal type: Acrylic, 'cyclops' date magnification, excellent condition
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running strong and true, keeping time better than many new Rolex watches in our testing recording position.
Warranty: 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. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

X