1961 Rolex Vintage Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird Datejust Mens Watch, 1625 - Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
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
* Rolex crimped link Jubilee bracelet
Our vintage Turn-O-Graph has fully Rolex parts and presents in pleasing condition.
Its case presents in excellent condition with signs of polishing to the back. Its bezel shows fairly mild to moderate signs of previous polishing. On the wrist, it presents as scratch-free.
Its untouched original dial has become slightly tropical giving it a true vintage look.
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 and crown that screw down very well, installing a new mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $1295 value).
It is running very strong and true, keeping essentially on par with a new Rolex watch in our testing recording position.
For the finishing touch, we have meticulously detailed it 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. 1625
Serial no.: 714,926
Year built: Date stamped 1961
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Sweep Seconds, Automatic, Date, Elapsed Time Bezel
Designed for: Men
Case material: Stainless steel and 18K gold
Case condition: Presents in excellent condition with signs of polishing to the back
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, slightly tropical giving it a true vintage look.
Hands: Original, 18K gold, luminous "alphas"
Movement type: 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
Jewels: 26 rubies
Band: Rolex Jubilee with so-called "crimped link" style, stamped 4/70, steel and gold, fits a wrist up to approx. 7.75 inches, moderately stretched, the finish presents as scratch-free
Width between lugs: 20mm
Crystal type: Acrylic, 'cyclops' date magnification, excellent condition
Servicing: 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 and crown that screw down very well, installing a new mainspring, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $1295 value).
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running very strong and true, keeping essentially on par with a new Rolex watch 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. 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.
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 
