Do you know why the Rolex Ref.1625 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.

CASE & BRACELET

The case of this specific Rolex Ref. 16263 remains in stunning factory unpolished condition. The 18k yellow gold rotating bezel like the case is in sharp original condition as well. The Rolex two-tone Rolex 6253H Jubilee w/ 455B end links show little to no stretch and retain 21 links. The original green Rolex case back sticker is still affixed to the case back of the watch.

DIAL & HANDS

The dial remains in flawless condition. The lume dots on the dial remain fully intact and show no degradation. The hands are also in flawless condition and match the coloration of the lume dots perfectly.

ACCESSORIES 

None.  The watch is running at spec keeping time accurately, extended service history is unknown.