204 Rolex Extremely Attractive Datejust Turn-O-Graph Automatic Wristwatch in Steel, Reference 6609, With United States Air Force Thunderbirds Emblem

Estimate: €10,000 –⁠ 20,000

Model: Datejust Turn-O-Graph
Reference: 6609
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1956
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 1065
Case N°: 164232
Dimensions: 36 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case

The Rolex Turn-O-Graph debuted in 1953 with the reference 6202, and the present lot is an example of the reference 6609, introduced in 1954, and in production until 1960 within the DateJjust family. This new reference was nicknamed “Thunderbird” thanks to the partnership between Rolex and the United States Air Force air demonstration team that was established in 1953 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona also known as “Thunderbirds”, by placing the team’s emblem directly on the dial. The lot here offered is one of these specimens and is one of the very few in steel to appear at auctions in recent years. This lot is very nice with its three-body solid case with screwed-down back where is engraved the Thunderbirds logo, bidirectional revolving reeded and graduated bezel all manufactured in stainless steel. The silvered dial with applied baton indexes and Rolex signature is finely aged with the date at 3 o’clock and the prestigious emblem at 9. It is believed that these wristwatches with the Thunderbird emblem were never available in serial production and were instead only given to those who qualified to serve on the prestigious air demonstration team, considering this, the present lot is an incredibly rare opportunity to purchase a piece of history for military lovers and watch aficionados.