Rolex Datejust Turnograph
Rolex Datejust Turnograph
• Very rare Thunderbird Turno-o-graph
• Now discontinued, a great watch for the collector
• Just serviced and now with a 24 month warranty
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FULL DESCRIPTION
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We have just taken this beautiful and very rare Rolex Datejust Turnograph in as a part exchange.
This one owner luxury timepiece was new bought in 2005 from a UK Rolex dealer and has been carefully worn as part of a collection.
Launched in 1953, the Rolex Turn-O-Graph preceded the two other iconic Rolex watches that are famous for their rotating bezels — the Rolex Submariner and the Rolex GMT-Master. This was the first Rolex to ever feature a rotating bezel and was considered to be the first Rolex tool watch.
The Turn-o-graph was in fact a military watch. In the late 1950s, the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbird aerobatic squadron equipped their pilots with the Turn-O-Graph watches for navigational calculations. Rolex took full advantage of this opportunity and produced the “Thunderbird” Turn-O-Graph watches. These Thunderbird watches were crafted in 18k yellow gold with the Thunderbird insignia on the dial along with a date window and corresponding Cyclops lens. They also released an accompanying advertising campaign focused on the new relationship. Interestingly, Rolex began referring to all Turn-O-Graph watches in the American market as “Thunderbirds” to capitalize on the official military partnership. The Rolex GMT-Master may be the most famous Rolex pilot watch yet, the bezels on the Turn-O-Graph watches were already used by pilots for navigational calculations prior to the launch of the GMT-Master in 1955.
The watch we have here was reissued in early 2000 and was available until around 2009.
The case size is 36mm so well suited to either a lady or a gentleman. This particular example has the oyster bracelet which is fitted as standard to all Rolex sports watches and it is in fantastic condition. We love the slate grey dial on this one, this is the first one we have had with this dial and think the grey perfectly contrasts against the steel and 18ct yellow gold throughout the watch.
It comes as a full set with an outer and inner box, Rolex chronometer certificate, instruction manual and two hang tags. Just perfect for a collector who wants a pice of Rolex history.
We shall have this fully serviced in preparation for it’s new owner and once done this will come with a 24 month warranty.
