Rolex
1991 Rolex DateJust Turn-O-Graph (Ref. 16264) "Thunderbird"
Do you know why the Rolex Turn-O-Graph has the nickname the "Thunderbird"? The Name Thunderbird comes from the late 1950s, at the dawn of the Jet-Age. The United States Air Force equipped the Thunderbird's aerobatic flight demonstration team with the 18k Rolex Turn-O-Graph watches for navigational timing & calculations. The Rolex ref. 1625 Tun-O-Graph models worn by the Thunderbirds team members were made from 18K solid yellow gold and featured the Thunderbirds logo at the 6 o'clock position on the dial.
The Rolex Turn-O-Graph is quite an interesting piece due to the fact that it is also alongside the Submariner and GMT one of the first "tool" watches made by Rolex. In fact, the Rolex Turn-O-Graph was first launched by Rolex in 1953 the same year that the Rolex Submariner was introduced, and the GMT was introduced a year later in 1954. The Rolex Tun-O-Graph is considered a tool watch due to the fact that it has a rotating bezel that allows the person who wears the watch to rotate the bezel to time different events. Unlike the regular Datejust, the Turn-O-Graph was never offered with an Oyster bracelet it was only sold on a leather strap or on the Jubilee style steel or two-tone bracelets.
| Stock # | RLXDJ16264-91 | |
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | Datejust "Thunderbird | |
| Model | 16264 | |
| Serial | X3XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | Stainless Steel | |
| Dial | Silver | |
| Millimeters | 36 | |
| Bracelet | Rolex 62510H Jubilee w/ 502B end links |
CASE & BRACELET
The sharp case retains crisp brushed finishing and lines throughout with symmetrical and thick lugs that show almost no signs of previous use. The 18k white gold rotating "Turn-O-Graph" bezel is in excellent condition with minimal signs of use. The original Rolex 62510H Jubilee bracelet with 502B end pieces retains 19 links with some light stretch from use.
DIAL & HANDS
The silver sunburst dial has taken on an subtle warm and remains in overall wee-preserved condition, showing no major signs of age. The tritium lume plots remain bright white, showing no patina, under U.V. light inspection the 1 and 3 o'clock lume plots display very minor degradation and the rest of the lume plots remain fully intact. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly and exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch was recently serviced and is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.
