...Rolex Hotness...
Whitney Houston
Rolex Lady Date
Whitney Houston was one of the greatest singers of the late 20th century, and in the photo below we see her rocking her yellow gold Rolex Lady Date.
Thursday, December 05, 2024
Whitney Houston Rolex Lady Date
Tuesday, December 03, 2024
The Complete History of The Rolex Thunderbird and Rolex The TURN-O-GRAPH...
I'm dedicating this story to two men who have both been invaluable members of my Jake's Rolex World research team. First, is our Captain Danny Crivello, who is a professional Captain for Delta Airlines. Danny, you have been an invaluable source of support, friendship and invaluable insight. Captain Danny also publishes my favorite Rolex Blog, after Jake's Rolex World, of course, which is named "Coron.et"
Next, is Nick "Eagle Eyes" Gould. Nick, you have also been an amazing source of collaborative insight, and a great source of inspiration for me as a horological investigator and historian. I realize that many readers probably see articles like this and assume they are the product of and easy cut and past process, but the reality is this content is the result of years, if not decades of committed research and perseverance and passion, and Nick and Danny have both contributed so significantly to this epic research effort.
"It is the emotional discovery of the secrets of time, of the very soul of a watch. Watches appeal to us, and win us over by the beauty of their soul and the secrets they conceal: the life of a mechanical watch and of its beating heart; its words; its ticking; and its face, which expresses sadness at 8:20 and joy at 10:10. The relationship we have with a watch is like a love story, and love cannot be described by specific and objective criteria"
–Franco Cologne
The Complete History of
The Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH
& The Rolex THUNDERBIRD
I have been working hard on my upcoming series of 15 books that cover the entire history of Rolex, and I thought I would share an exclusive Rolex history image from my upcoming book series which has NEVER been published or seen in public before.
Nick Gould recently discovered and published on Instagram the Rolex story from the Jewelers' Circular-Keystone article originally published in September of 1960, which shows Rolex USA President, René-Paul Dentan from The American Rolex Watch Corp, and discusses how he was the man responsible for the relationship between The Crown and the United States Air Force Aerobatics team, known as The Thunderbirds. Nick points out, "This lead to the Datejust with the Turn-O-Graph bezel being called a "Thunderbird". Also, it appears the Thunderbird may have been a U.S. only model.
The exclusive image above was taken in 1960, and shows former Rolex CEO, André-Jean Heiniger, with Rolex USA President, Rene-Paul Dentan along with 3 other top Rolex Executives reviewing the Rolex United States Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds Rolex Magazine ad campaign pictured below, which you can clearly make out on the table in front of them if you examine it closely.
The cropped image above shows printed proofs of the final artwork being approved as we see below the next image. In the next image I flipped it right-side up to make it easier to see the details that match the Thunderbirds Rolex Magazine ad below it.
Ironically, when the image above was taken, André-Jean Heiniger was not yet the CEO of Rolex, but was a top Rolex executive. BTW: You won't find Hardcore Rolex History images like this in any other Rolex history book, nor on any other website, and my upcoming Rolex history books are filled with images just like this...
The exclusive image at the beginning of this story will appear in Volume 3 of my 15 volume book series which I first announced I was working on back on May 16, 2022, and below you can see the cover artwork for Volume 3:
Nick Gould recently discovered and published on Instagram the Rolex story from the Jewelers' Circular-Keystone article originally published in September of 1960, which shows Rolex USA President, René-Paul Dentan from The American Rolex Watch Corp, and discusses how he was the man responsible for the relationship between The Crown and the United States Air Force Aerobatics team, known as The Thunderbirds. Nick points out, "This lead to the Datejust with the Turn-O-Graph bezel being called a "Thunderbird". Also, it appears the Thunderbird may have been a U.S. only model.
THE STARDUSTERS
The United States Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds (pictured below) were comprised of the 3600th USAF Air Demonstration Unit, and were known originally as the "Stardusters".
The Thunderbirds, gave their first historical performance at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, in 1953, and we see them flying in formation in the photo below in their F-84 Thunderjets, which were American-built turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. It is important to take into consideration that in 1953, The Thunderbirds were a very big deal as America had recently won World War II, and the Space Age had not yet begun.
The Thunderbirds was as close as the world got at the time to Buck Rodgers, and other space cowboys like General Chuck Yeager, who was the first to break the speed of sound barrier in 1947, at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The top Rolex executives, including all the founding fathers of Rolex were in awe of these men who constantly pushed the envelope and were barrier breakers...
Legendary USAF test pilot, William Pogue, was a member of the Thunderbirds flight team from 1955-1957, and he is pictured below posing with the 1956-1957 team (second from left) and he is wearing his Rolex. Special thanks to Philip from MoonWatchUniverse for sharing this great photo.
In the photo below we see William Pogue rocking his Rolex Datejust sans TOG bezel, which was engraved on the back with his name and The Thunderbirds, while speaking with legendary NASA Astronaut, Jack Swigert.
Rolex was not the only international company to pay homage to the Thunderbird's as the American Ford Motor Company in Detroit in 1954 introduced one of their most famous and iconic sports cars, which was the 1954 Ford Thunderbird. The 1955 Thunderbird Populuxe design language is remarkably similar to the space age, later art-deco design language found in the early Rolex Professional Sports models, including the Submariner, TURN-O-GRAPH, and Milgauss.
I have an entire volume dedicated just to René-Paul Dentan, who pioneered and built Rolex U.S.A. into the powerhouse it remains to this day. It can be argued that Rolex U.S.A., has always been Rolex's bread and butter, as the American market has always remained consistently great.
To date, very little has been known or published about René-Paul Dentan—so much so it's like he never existed—but that will all change once I publish my book dedicated to covering his AMAZING career achievements. For the record, there are 4 men I consider to be founding fathers of Rolex, which begin with Hans Wilsdorf, but includes both René-Paul Dentan, René-Paul Jeanneret and André-Jean Heiniger. Just to be clear, the photo of René-Paul Dentan on the cover artwork below was taken back in the 1940s, and in the photos above, were taken in 1960, which illustrates why he might look different.
ROLEX
MONOMETER
Precursor to the Submariner
The story of the Rolex Thunderbird, is based upon the story of the Turn-O-Graph, as is the story of the Rolex Submariner and Milgauss. The Rolex MONOMETER was the very first stainless steel Rolex Professional Sports model Rolex made, and is commonly referred to as the "pre-Submariner" as this early model was remarkably similar to the Submariner which followed it.
The image above appears courtesy of Antiquorum Auction house and shows this magnificent 36MM patina Rolex MONOMETER made in Q3 [lll.53.] of 1953 which is a Reference 6202 [Case Number 949742. with Caliber 9 3/4, A 260].
The first examples of the MONO-METER were released immediately in later 1953, and Rolex made 2 separate versions. One model with a homeycomb dial and the other with a regular dial, but both feature the split name Oyster Perpetual that flank the sides of their dials. These early MONO-METER models feature a distinctive bezel insert only found on these early models, which features the unusual larger round minute markers that are centered in the middle of the bezel insert, as well as the lollipop second hand. In the example pictured above the lollipop hole is empty inside as it lost its lume.
The best scholarship suggest these early models were made in very small production runs, guesstimated to be less than 100 examples. Rolex scholars also refer to this model as the "pre-Submariner", as it is arguably the precursor to the super iconic Rolex Submariner model which Rolex would register the trademark for 9 months later in 1954. It is important to take into consideration that Rolex experimented like crazy with these early models, as well will later witness.
Also, the MONOMETER and later the Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH were the first serially produced Rolex models that featured a rotating bezel. I have long said, people love playing with Rolex's spinning bezel inserts as they are the ultimate fidget widgets. Rolex made an earlier Reference 3346 ZEROGRAPH model back in 1937 that featured a spinning bezel but only make them in a very small batch, which never reached serialized production.
The genesis point begins with a model named the Rolex MONOMETER, which is pictured above and below (Look closely at the top half of the dial pictured above and below and underneath the coronet and ROLEX name you will see the MONOMETER model designation name).
Rolex registered the "MOMO-METER" named on May 28th of 1953 as we witness with the Rolex trademark registration pictured below:
The First Turn-O-Graph
Below we see a photo of a very early Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH with the beautiful black galvanic with honeycomb matte dial with gilt graphics, and notice the dial is almost identical to the Rolex MONOMETER pictured above. These early models also featured radium lume on the hour and minute hands as well as on the 5 minute markers.
6 months after registering the trademark for Rolex MONO-METER, Rolex registered the trademark for TURN-O-GRAPH on November 24, 1953, along with the Rolex TURN-O-METRE trademark, as seen below:
If we carefully examine the Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH pictured above, and compare it to the early Rolex Submariner model pictured below you see how remarkably similar they are, which on some levels would make them redundant, or confusing for customers. Now is not the time to go into detail on this subject, but there is a great deal of evidence I am aware of that relates to Dimitri Rebikoff's role not only with the development of the Rolex Submariner, but also with the Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH.
While we are on the subject of the remarkably similar design language between the Submariner and TURN-O-GRAPH, it's worth noting the antimagnetic Rolex Milgauss [Reference 6541] also looked remarkably similar, and even had a black honeycomb dial. The Rolex Milgauss clearly evolved from and was a variant of the original Rolex MONOMETER.
Below we see the trademark registration for the Rolex MILGAUSS which was filed on November 26, 1954.
Rolex Professional
SPORTS Tool Watch
Introduction ROADMAP
For clarity sake let's examine the Rolex trademark dates in chronological order:
ROLEX MONO-METER [Reference 6202]: May 28, 1953.ROLEX TURN-O-GRAPH [Reference 6202]: November 24, 1953.ROLEX SUBMARINER [Reference 6204 + 6205]: February 26, 1954.ROLEX MILGAUSS: November 26, 1954.ROLEX GMT-MASTER: April 21, 1955
The data above tells an interesting story that on the surface if not so obvious. Basically, the first Rolex Professional Sports watch that Rolex developed was the MONO-METER. This was basically the ALPHA model. Then 6 months later, they replaced or changed the name of the watch to the Rolex TURN-O-GRAPH. 3 short months later, Rolex registered the SUBMARINER trademark. On the surface, this would suggest the Submariner was derivative of the MONO-METER, or TURN-O-GRAPH.
Then Rolex trademarked their MILGAUSS 10 months later, in 1954. Then 5 months later, Rolex registered the GMT-MASTER, which was essentially a SUBMARINER DATE with the 24 hour Pepsi Bezel insert and a 24 hour hand. Fascinating Captain!!!!
Rolex made very few MONO-METER models, and instead decided to reintroduce the same model at the 1954 Basel Fair exhibition as the Rolex Turn-O-Graph, as seen below. The challenge as we see below is that the Turn-O-Graph and Submariner looked remarkably similar.
The most fundamental difference between the Submariner and TURN-O-GRAPH was that the Submariner could descend down to 200 Meters, and the TURN-O-GRAPH could only go down to 50 Meters.
Below we see Rolex Magazine ads for the Turn-O-Graph that point out it's the "Simplest 'stop-watch' ever."
The Rolex Patent seen below citing back to the priority date of April 18, 1953, was for the gradations on the TURN-O-GRAPH bezel. The reason the Submariner didn’t feature the full graduations was due to the fact the finer markers were not visible as the diver dove deeper into the water.
Rolex even offered the original Turn-O-Graph Reference 6202 with a white honeycomb dial as pictured below in this image that appears courtesy of Antiquorum Auction house. Antiquorum said this model was made in 1953 and has a diameter of 35MM and a thickness of 13MM, so it was smaller than a Submariner.
In the May of 1955 Sports Illustrated, Rolex showed a version of the Turn-O-Graph with a white dial and gold bezel, which was a deluxe model with chronometer certification. Notice, that at the time, what became the Submariner, was once called the Rolex "Skindiver" as we also see in the ad below.
Below we see the actual model of two tone, steel and gold Rolex Turnograph with a white honeycomb dial which is featured at the top of the Rolex Magazine ad pictured above. This is a very rare watch that is seldom seen. It's also interesting to note that the design of this original engraved-in-relief bezel insert would later inform and influence the Rolex YACHT-MASTER model, which would arrive decades later.
It is interesting to note the Rolex ad pictured above (2 images up) was the very first Rolex Magazine ad to appear in Sports Illustrated back in May of 1955.
NASA Astronaut, Michael Collins is one of the more famous people to rock a Rolex Turn-O-Graph which is pictured on his wrist below.
Michael Collins' Rolex Turn-O-Graph was an early model, which had a gilt dial, and it is interesting to note that these first generation Rolex Turn-O-Graph models looked and functioned similarly to a Rolex Submariner.
1957 Rolex Datejust
Spanish Turn-O-Graph Ad
The history of the Rolex Turn-O-Graph is beyond fascinating. It basically was the first Rolex tool watch, but the it looked too similar to the Rolex Submariner, so Rolex decided to add a Date feature to it, and turned it into a Datejust model. This might sound confusing, and it is. As a matter of fact, the Rolex Turn-O-Graph, actually began it's model life a the Rolex MonoMeter, but it appears Rolex liked Turn-O-Graph better.
The 1957 Rolex advertisement was from the "Men who control the destines of the World wear Rolex watches" campaign, which ran for years.
Nick Gould and I were recently examining this 1957 Spanish Rolex Magazine ad, and Nick said "It's rare to see Rolex advertising the Datejust with a Turn-O-Graph bezel." In my upcoming book series I go into great detail on the early history of the Turn-O-Graph, which is absolutely fascinating.
1957 Rolex Master Catalog
Rolex then evolved the Rolex Turn-O-Graph into the Thunderbird in 1959, which is pictured below. Just to be clear on the chain of events, in 1957 Rolex discontinued the Turn-O-Graph and replaced it with the Datejust that featured a Turn-O-Graph bezel insert [Refernce 6609], which they referred to as the "Datejust Turn-O-Graph", then in 1959 introduced the Rolex Thunderbird, which was a Datejust with a Turn-O-Graph Bezel insert.
1958 Rolex Master Catalog
The best evidence that Rolex discontinued the original Turn-O-Graph in 1957, is based upon the evidence pictured above and below. The image below is from the official 1957 Rolex Master Catalog and it marks the Turn O Graph as being "NO LONGER AVAILABLE", then in the 1958 Rolex Master Catalog pictured below we see the new Rolex "Datejust Turn O Graph". That being said we see the Spanish Datejust Turn-O-Graph Rolex Magazine ad pictured two images up in this story in 1957, so that means it was born in 1957.
I discovered the Reference 6609 model pictured below which was up for auction from Phillip's Auction House at their Geneva Watch Auction: XI on June 27, 2020. This watch ended up selling for close to $200K.
Phillips included the following Catalog Essay with this watch:
Established in 1953 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the Thunderbirds are one of the oldest air demonstration teams in the world and part of the U.S. Airforce. During the 1950s and 1960s, Rolex delivered a number of special order Datejusts to the Thunderbids. These timepieces were equipped with a rotating bezel and a dial that displayed the team's emblem at 6 o'clock. In fact, Rolex had produced advertisements during this period with the "Thunderbird" Datejust proudly emblazoned across.
Made for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the present watch is spectacular in a number of ways. It most notably displays a black lacquer dial with the Thunderbird emblem at 6 o'clock. Through time, the black lacquer has aged gracefully and still remains glossy today. The luminous dots remain round, intact and have aged consistently with the hands.
The case is furthermore a sight to behold. In a stunning discovery, the caseback displays "U.S. Airforce Thunderbids" etched on the edge. A tiny bit of polishing would have rubbed this thin engraving and its existence allows collectors and scholars to understand what a "Thunderbird" wristwatch originally looked like when it was delivered. Furthermore, there is a sharp and crisp hallmark on the caseback which probably has never seen any intervention throughout its lifetime.
When I searched on Phillips.com I was surprised to discover they auctioned a second Reference 6609 Thunderbird Rolex back in 2019 at their Geneva Watch Auction which was stainless steel as seen below.
Below is the Catalog Essay from Philipps:
The Thunderbird, a mythical creature found in many American indigenous cultures, symbolizes strength and power and in some interpretations, creates the sound of thunder by flapping its wings. It is therefore fitting that the United States Air Force air demonstration team adopted the moniker ‘Thunderbirds’, as an obvious nod to their form of aerial acrobatics and their proximity to several Native American reservations. Established in 1953 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the Thunderbirds are one of the oldest air demonstration teams in the world. During the production of this particular wristwatch in 1958, the Thunderbirds flew the aircraft F-100C Super Sabre, and in 1956 they flew at a supersonic level.
In an attempt to capture the American market with its booming post-war economy, Rolex aligned themselves with the Thunderbirds in their promotional materials, and nicknamed their reference 6609 Datejust Turn-O-Graph the ‘Thunderbird’, placing the team’s emblem directly on the dial. However, it is believed that these wristwatches with the Thunderbird emblem were never available in serial production and were instead only given to those who qualified to serve on the prestigious air demonstration team. Only one other Thunderbird with the actual Thunderbird emblem has ever been seen publicly, the other being a full 18K yellow gold version belonging to Captain Chares W. Maultsby, who flew in the right wing position for the Thunderbirds beginning in 1959, and is currently in a private collection.
The immediate predecessor to the current reference 6609, the 6309, established what was once a watch oscillating between sports watch and casual dress watch into a definitive dress watch in the Datejust family. Advertisements of the era distinguish that the watch was only available cased fully or partially in precious metals, either yellow gold or white gold. The current example, a reference 6609 is featured with a stainless steel Jubilee bracelet and an 18K white gold engine-turned bezel separated into five minute designations. Additionally, this 6609 boasts a ‘roulette’ date wheel with alternating black and red date numerals, and a silver sunburst dial, both serving to enhance the vividly printed Thunderbird emblem at six o’clock. A beautiful patina has developed on the white gold bezel over time, so that it contrasts smartly with the stainless steel of the bracelet and silver of the dial.
Produced only from 1956 to 1959, the present lot is an extraordinary example of the reference 6609 ‘Thunderbird’. The first and only steel reference 6609 with the ‘Thunderbird’ emblem to ever appear publicly, this is an excellent opportunity to own an important piece of both Rolex and American history.
Below is the original version of this article I published back on October 10, 2008:
This yellow gold Reference 6608 Rolex Thunderbird was made in 1958 and features black lacquer dial and rouletted date wheel which features the Thunderbird logo above the six o'clock marker. This fascinating combo is bathed in magnificent late populuxe Art Deco coupled with tribal American Indian style This watch predates but is similar looking to Arab dials, yet being so archetypical in its modernity and design language. The Thunderbird logo is a Native American Indian symbol that represents power and strength. The United States Air Force acrobatic team was founded in 1953 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.
With its Arrowhead markers and native T-Bird logo I don’t recall ever seeing a Rolex with such a distinct American design like this, which really took me by surprise. Methinks this is one of the most beautiful Rolex watches I have EVER seen!?!! This combo features an exotic nighttime vibe, very much like dark night mode on an iPhone.
Notice the tiny freckles randomly splashed on surface that look life microscopic random dusted rain spots? The bezel track design with staggered lines is also very complicated and simple at the same time.
In the photo below we see the U.S. AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS designation etched into the back of the case.
I have to say that one of the things I LOVE about Phillips Auction House is the level of detail they include in their auction lots online which include super-stylish wrist shots like the one of the Rolex Thunderbird seen below. The reason I love these wrist shots is they offer a superb sense of scale by showing you what the watch looks like on the wrist!
Established in 1953 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the Thunderbirds are one of the oldest air demonstration teams in the world and part of the U.S. Airforce. During the 1950s and 1960s, Rolex delivered a number of special order Datejusts to the Thunderbids. These timepieces were equipped with a rotating bezel and a dial that displayed the team's emblem at 6 o'clock. In fact, Rolex had produced advertisements during this period with the "Thunderbird" Datejust proudly emblazoned across.
Made for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the present watch is spectacular in a number of ways. It most notably displays a black lacquer dial with the Thunderbird emblem at 6 o'clock. Through time, the black lacquer has aged gracefully and still remains glossy today. The luminous dots remain round, intact and have aged consistently with the hands.
The case is furthermore a sight to behold. In a stunning discovery, the caseback displays "U.S. Airforce Thunderbids" etched on the edge. A tiny bit of polishing would have rubbed this thin engraving and its existence allows collectors and scholars to understand what a "Thunderbird" wristwatch originally looked like when it was delivered. Furthermore, there is a sharp and crisp hallmark on the caseback which probably has never seen any intervention throughout its lifetime.
When I searched on Phillips.com I was surprised to discover they auctioned a second Reference 6609 Thunderbird Rolex back in 2019 at their Geneva Watch Auction which was stainless steel as seen below.
Below is the Catalog Essay from Philipps:
The Thunderbird, a mythical creature found in many American indigenous cultures, symbolizes strength and power and in some interpretations, creates the sound of thunder by flapping its wings. It is therefore fitting that the United States Air Force air demonstration team adopted the moniker ‘Thunderbirds’, as an obvious nod to their form of aerial acrobatics and their proximity to several Native American reservations. Established in 1953 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the Thunderbirds are one of the oldest air demonstration teams in the world. During the production of this particular wristwatch in 1958, the Thunderbirds flew the aircraft F-100C Super Sabre, and in 1956 they flew at a supersonic level.
In an attempt to capture the American market with its booming post-war economy, Rolex aligned themselves with the Thunderbirds in their promotional materials, and nicknamed their reference 6609 Datejust Turn-O-Graph the ‘Thunderbird’, placing the team’s emblem directly on the dial. However, it is believed that these wristwatches with the Thunderbird emblem were never available in serial production and were instead only given to those who qualified to serve on the prestigious air demonstration team. Only one other Thunderbird with the actual Thunderbird emblem has ever been seen publicly, the other being a full 18K yellow gold version belonging to Captain Chares W. Maultsby, who flew in the right wing position for the Thunderbirds beginning in 1959, and is currently in a private collection.
The immediate predecessor to the current reference 6609, the 6309, established what was once a watch oscillating between sports watch and casual dress watch into a definitive dress watch in the Datejust family. Advertisements of the era distinguish that the watch was only available cased fully or partially in precious metals, either yellow gold or white gold. The current example, a reference 6609 is featured with a stainless steel Jubilee bracelet and an 18K white gold engine-turned bezel separated into five minute designations. Additionally, this 6609 boasts a ‘roulette’ date wheel with alternating black and red date numerals, and a silver sunburst dial, both serving to enhance the vividly printed Thunderbird emblem at six o’clock. A beautiful patina has developed on the white gold bezel over time, so that it contrasts smartly with the stainless steel of the bracelet and silver of the dial.
Produced only from 1956 to 1959, the present lot is an extraordinary example of the reference 6609 ‘Thunderbird’. The first and only steel reference 6609 with the ‘Thunderbird’ emblem to ever appear publicly, this is an excellent opportunity to own an important piece of both Rolex and American history.
Below is the original version of this article I published back on October 10, 2008:
The Original Rolex Thunderbird
Ultra-Rare First Generation Watch
The U.S. Air Force was born in 1947, just after World War II. Six short years later, on May 25, 1953, the Air Force developed its official air demonstration team know as the Thunderbirds. The demonstration team was activated at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, with the designation of the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit.
Since Luke Air Force base was located in Arizona, the team adopted the name "Thunderbirds" based upon the American Indian culture and folklore of the American South West. The American Indian legend said there was a great Thunderbird that was an eagle or hawk, and that when this great bird took to the sky, the earth would tremble from the thunderous power of its wings.
In 1959 Rolex developed a special Rolex Datejust for and worn by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in 18kt gold as seen below.
Photo Courtesy of Eric Ku
The vintage add below appeared in 1960 for the first Rolex Datejust Thunderbird and I typed out its text below to make it easy to read. This ad was sent in from AdPatina.com. One potentially confusing question this ad might address is, "Is a Turn-O-Graph a Thunderbird, or is a Thunderbird a Turn-O-Graph?" This ad from 1960 specifically says "THE THUNDERBIRD: Rolex DATEJUST...with "Turn-O-Graph" bezel". So essentially a Thunderbird is a Datejust with a Turn-O-Graph bezel.
THUNDERBIRDS
World's first supersonic precession aerobatic team the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds! Brilliant pilots, each is also a "scientist" with years of research to back his in-the-air mastery. Demonstrating the ultimate in precision maneuvers, with wing tips overlapping at "broom stick" clearance, their speeds range up to a spine-chilling 720 m.p.h. as the lowest altitudes. More than 21 million international spectators have seen their "Century Series" fighters go through their thrilling punishing paces... You've got to see them to believe them!
Like the aircraft of the famed "Thunderbirds," the Rolex Oyster Perpetual "Thunderbird" is an unerringly precision-dependable part of their equipment...You've go to see it to believe it!
The Thunderbird, Rolex Datejust. 18kt Gold comes with "Turn-O-Graph" bezel. 25 jewels, as identified by the Rolex Red Seal, self-winding PERPETUAL, completely protected by the famous waterproof Rolex OYSTER case. New cyclops crystal magnifies date for easy readability. With strap, $550.00, bracelet extra.
The Rolex Thunderbird Ad below is from May of 1960
Philipp's Fabulous Thunderbird
Philipp is one of the top vintage Rolex collectors in the world and he has excellent taste in Rolex watches and seems to be an advanced expert on knowing how to accessorize the watches with the best choice of bands. In the wrist shot below Philipp is sporting his ultra-rare original Rolex Thunderbird on a leather NATO with yellow gold returns.
Rolex even offered the Thunderbird Datejust with a President bracelet as seen below.
Photo Credit: Antiquorum
The USAF Thunderbirds were formed in 1953. The world was fascinated by the Thunderbirds, and in 1954 Ford introduced their Ford Thunderbird, which in the mid to late fifties was a hardcore status symbol. It's interesting to note that Rolex was so impressed with the Thunderbirds, they came out with their own Thunderbird Model six years after Ford.
This next ad is from the Rolex Manufactury:
A fantastic achievement!
There are over
1,450,000
Rolex wristlet chronometers with official rating certificates endorsed especially good results–a very high distinction in the world of watchmaking. These chronometers are equipped with the finest Breguet hairsprings.
The ROLEX MANUFACTORY has been a pioneer in manufacturing very fine watches since 1878 and is the birthplace of the marvelous micromechanical organism inside every ROLEX watch, which is entirely manufactured by ROLEX from raw materials to the finished movement.
The high-precision tools used in ROLEX MANUFACTORY are made by specialists in the company's own MICROMETAL division.
Did you know
that these same micromechanical engineers and specialist of the ROLEX MANUFACTORY and MICROMETAL also produce small, but very important, mechanical components for the steering system of a jet that flies at more than twice the speed of sound–components on whose superfine quality the life of the crew and their plane directly depends?
ROLEX
WATCH MANUFACTORY
BIENNE
Gone with the Wind
In the next two photos below we see modern Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph models which appear courtesy of SwissWatchExpo. Unfortunately Rolex discontinued production of the TURN-O-GRAPH in 2011 after close ti 60 years of production, but it's still a popular watch among collectors, and it played an important role in the history of Rolex. Maybe Rolex will reintroduce a similar model in the future...
Rolex Alchemy
I realize this is a REALLY strange way to end or conclude an article, but if you are a regular reader of Jake's Rolex World, you know I regularly wander off the reservation.
The Turn-O-Graph need it's run essentially as a Rolex Datejust, with a spinning bezel, coupled with a date wheel that shows numbers is red, along with a red seconds hand, which is really cool. The truth is there is so much potential for Rolex in the future to experiment with this timeless late art-deco design language and create new versions that never existed before. Below we see two such Datejust models which where put together by Jocke, from Sweden, where on the left watch he took put a Turn-O-Graph red second hand on an Oreo Cookie Datejust along with the red second hand, and made a great looking Rolex, all with 100% authentic DNA.
The second Datejust pictured above on the right and below has to be one of the best looking Rolex watches ever made. Once again, Jock took a Rolex Datejust with a Datejust Sunbeam dial with raised white gold Roman numerals, and put a Platinum and stainless steel Yacht-Master set of hands on it, including the red seconds hand, along with the red Datewheel from a Turn-O-Graph and made this magnificent model that never existed per se.
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