1031
Rolex
Ref. 16264
Datejust Turn-O-Graph “Thunderbird”
A fine and attractive stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, date, blue "sodalite" dial, diamond-set indexes, bracelet, guarantee and box
- Estimate
- HK$80,000 - 120,000€8,700 - 13,100$10,300 - 15,400
HK$112,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 2002
- Reference No
- 16264
- Movement No
- 9’189’753
- Case No
- K632’576
- Model Name
- Datejust Turn-O-Graph “Thunderbird”
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 3135, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78360”, endlinks stamped “558B”, max length 200mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “DE11”
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Further accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 8th March 2002 stamped Artland Watch Co., LTD. Hong Kong, 2002-2003 calendar card, hang tags, green wallet, instruction manual, product literature, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph “Thunderbird” was initially introduced in 1955 via the ref. 1625. Capitalizing on the relationship with the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron founded in 1953, Rolex placed a Turn-O-Graph on the wrists of a Thunderbird pilot. Impressed by the watch, the Squadron requested Rolex to create timepieces for them.
The ref. 16264 was introduced in 1977 replacing its predecessor, with an updated self-winding caliber 3035 and did not have “Turn-O-Graph” written on the dial. The present example fitted with a blue sodalite dial belongs to a rare configuration of the reference. Set with diamond indexes, the present example is most definitely a luxurious iteration of what was once a pilot’s watch. Presented in excellent overall condition and further accompanied by the full set of accessories, it is without a doubt a fantastic and rarely seen iteration of the model.
The ref. 16264 was introduced in 1977 replacing its predecessor, with an updated self-winding caliber 3035 and did not have “Turn-O-Graph” written on the dial. The present example fitted with a blue sodalite dial belongs to a rare configuration of the reference. Set with diamond indexes, the present example is most definitely a luxurious iteration of what was once a pilot’s watch. Presented in excellent overall condition and further accompanied by the full set of accessories, it is without a doubt a fantastic and rarely seen iteration of the model.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
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