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    Rolex Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird lug width

    Watch line4 references

    Lug widths across the line

    The Rolex Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird takes a 20 mm strap: all 1 references with a known width use 20 mm.

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    4 Rolex Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird references

    FAQ

    What lug width does the Rolex Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird use?

    The Rolex Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird takes a 20 mm strap: all 1 references with a known width use 20 mm.

    Is a Turn-O-Graph the same size as a Datejust?

    Yes for the Datejust generations: the Turn-O-Graph is a 36mm Datejust Oyster case with a rotating bezel, a size it kept to the end in 2011.

    What bracelet came on the last Turn-O-Graph?

    The 116264 reviewed by The Watch Observer came on the solid-link Oyster bracelet with a lever-opened folding clasp and a hidden Easylink extension. Fratello also mentions the two-tone 116263 on a Super Jubilee bracelet with concealed clasp.

    What bracelets did vintage Thunderbirds wear?

    Auction examples of the 6609 and 1625 come on steel Jubilee bracelets with end links stamped 55, or on leather straps with a Rolex buckle.

    The story of the Rolex Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird

    58 yearslife of the Turn-O-Graph, from the 1953 ref. 6202 to its removal in 2011
    CHF 175,000paid at Phillips for a gold 6609 made for the US Air Force Thunderbirds
    about 12steel and gold 6202s known, Rolex's first two-tone sports watch
    60 units60 units: graduation of the rotating bezel, for measuring elapsed time

    Chapters

    1. 2004 to 2011
      Fluted, red and black, retired

      The last generation, launched in 2004, combined a fluted gold bezel with timing numerals, red accents on a black or grey dial and the calibre 3135, in the historical 36mm case. It was the only Datejust with a rotating bezel. Rolex dropped it in 2011, after 58 years of the Turn-O-Graph.

    2. 1977 to early 2000s
      A Datejust in disguise

      Later references dropped the Turn-O-Graph name from the dial and looked like alternative Datejusts. From 1977 most were made with steel cases and gold bezels.

    3. 1959 to 1977
      Ref. 1625, the long run

      Ref. 1625 brought an updated case and calibre and stayed in production from 1959 to 1977, in yellow gold, steel and yellow gold, or steel and white gold. Phillips notes it was not a strong seller in its day. Some early 1960s examples for markets that had banned radium were made with no luminous material at all.

    4. Late 1950s to 1960s
      The Thunderbirds lend a name

      Rolex began supplying the watch to the US Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic team and marketed it as the Thunderbird in North America. Special-order watches for the pilots carried the team emblem at 6 o'clock and casebacks engraved for the squadron. An October 1960 advertisement in Flying magazine pictured the emblem dial.

    5. 1954 to 1959
      Into the Datejust family

      With ref. 6309 the Turn-O-Graph gained a Cyclops lens and a textured gold bezel, and joined the Datejust range. Ref. 6609 followed, with an engine-turned bezel separated into five-minute designations. Period advertisements offered the watch only fully or partly in precious metal.

    6. 1953 to the mid-1950s
      A bezel that times things

      The ref. 6202 added a rotating bezel calibrated to 60 units, a simplified chronograph for timing events up to an hour. Rolex advertised it for phone calls, conferences, parking and even a patient's pulse. Phillips calls it the first Rolex tool watch made in series and the foundation of the Submariner and GMT-Master.

    Worn by

    Eric ClaptonMusic

    Owned a steel Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202 from around 1954, first sold at Christie's New York in 2003 in a sale of his collection and offered again by Christie's in 2021.

    Charles W. MaultsbyService1959

    Thunderbirds pilot who flew the right wing position from 1959; his full 18k yellow gold Thunderbird with the team emblem is one of only two emblem watches Phillips had seen in public.

    Moments

    At its Geneva Watch Auction: XI, Phillips sold a circa 1958 yellow gold 6609 made for the Thunderbirds, with a black lacquer dial and the team emblem, for CHF 175,000 against an estimate of CHF 30,000 to 60,000. Its caseback still showed the thin engraving 'U.S. Airforce Thunderbids'.

    Phillips sold a circa 1958 steel and white gold 6609 with the Thunderbirds emblem for CHF 30,000, describing it as the first and only steel emblem 6609 to appear publicly. Monaco Legend later sold another steel 6609 with the emblem for 29,900 euros in October 2021.

    Turn-O-Graph joins 'to turn' with 'chronograph', although the watch has no chronograph: the turning bezel does the timing.

    Eric Clapton's former 6202 came back to Christie's in an online sale ending 10 December 2021, estimated at USD 20,000 to 40,000; the sale result reported by an auction archive is USD 27,500.

    Generations and strap changes

    1. 1959
      Ref. 1625

      Reinterpretation with a new case shape and calibre 1560, made until 1977 in several metal combinations.

      36mm case; Phillips lots show it on a steel Jubilee bracelet with end links stamped 55 and on leather straps.

    2. 1954
      Ref. 6309

      Second generation with an upgraded movement, produced through 1959. It took the Datejust Cyclops and joined the Datejust collection; the calibre A260 gave way to the calibre 743.

      Phillips offered a 1954 example in yellow gold on a yellow gold bracelet whose clasp is stamped 3.54.

    3. 1953
      Ref. 6202

      Time-only watch with a rotating bezel calibrated to 60 units; Phillips shows a 1953 example with a glossy black dial and gilt chapter ring. A steel and gold version was the first Rolex sports watch in two-tone; it was quickly discontinued and only about a dozen are known.

      Christie's catalogued the ex-Eric Clapton example at 35.5mm on a steel bracelet of about 160mm overall length.

    About Rolex

    Founded in 1905 in London, United Kingdom.

    Ambassadors include Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Mark Webber The Rolex story

    Help

    What is lug width?

    The gap between the two lugs that hold the strap, in millimetres. A new strap must match it exactly: 20 mm lugs take a 20 mm strap.

    Measure it in 30 seconds

    1. Take the strap off, or look at the back of it: many straps print their width.
    2. Measure the inside gap between the lugs with a caliper or a millimetre ruler.
    3. Round to the nearest whole millimetre. Most watches use 18, 20 or 22 mm.

    Strap, quick release or system?

    Most watches use spring bars, so any strap of the right width fits. Many smartwatches use their own band system instead, such as Apple Watch bands or Garmin QuickFit.