Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Despite the connection with the Thunderbirds and the fantastic reputation of the brand, the Turn-O-Graph
was ultimately a slow seller, and production discontinued in the late 1970s. Rolex subsequently launched
a modern version of the Turn-O-Graph in the early 2000s (reference 116264), but once again buyers
werent convinced, and the model had a relatively short lifespan.
Today, the original Turn-O-Graph/Thunderbird models (ref. 6609 & 1625) are still considered an oddity
by most collectors, and arent aggressively sought after the way other models from the time are. They
consistently remain undervalued as compared to standard 1601/1603 Datejusts, and offer a great point of
entry for those starting a collection. As with just about everything else Rolex, the Thunderbird will likely
have its day in the sun as collector trends evolve, and their relatively low price points probably wont last.
Regardless of their current values, Thunderbirds are an exceptionally cool part of historical
horology. They make a great statement on the wrist with their instantly noticeable bezels, and are a great
conversation starter.
After all, a vintage wristwatch is only as good as the story that accompanies it.