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Old 9 February 2022, 11:05 AM   #1
Rogerab
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Turn o Graph Thunderbird

A forgotten, it seems, special watch, both history and features. I am a latecomer to collecting watches, primarily Rolex. Always in search of something special for my eclectic tastes. This forum is a great source for increasing my knowledge about watches, especially Rolex. I’d add that resale is not really a factor for me since my watches are heading, I hope not too soon, to kids and grandchildren.

So, why no interest that I can see. Lots of talk here about many models, preferences, strong likes and dislikes but the turn o graph thunderbird is seldom a topic. I’d love to hear from those who own or have owned as well as those who have views as to why not to own. I expect size is one obvious reason some will pass but I’d love to hear from you long and short timers. Thanks.
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Old 9 February 2022, 11:25 AM   #2
Stan Cooper
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I bought a 2005 DJ 36 Turn-O-Graph last year and find the rotating bezel very handy for timing parking meter expiration, cooking, and intervals between waypoints. I find it both dressy (with the white gold fluted bezel) and sporty (with the red date wheel, second hand, and TURN-O-GRAPH on the dial). The 36 looks and wears fine.

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Old 9 February 2022, 11:47 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan Cooper View Post
I bought a 2005 DJ 36 Turn-O-Graph last year and find the rotating bezel very handy for timing parking meter expiration, cooking, and intervals between waypoints. I find it both dressy (with the white gold fluted bezel) and sporty (with the red date wheel, second hand, and TURN-O-GRAPH on the dial). The 36 looks and wears fine.

The red really makes it pop. Love it!
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Old 9 February 2022, 11:58 AM   #4
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I love the Turn O Graph, kind of has features of multiple watches combined. I looked into buying one, but just didn't have enough trust in the secondary market to buy one. I wish Rolex would bring back an updated version of it. Maybe just slightly larger, a different bezel, couple different dial options, etc.
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Old 9 February 2022, 12:13 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan Cooper View Post
I bought a 2005 DJ 36 Turn-O-Graph last year and find the rotating bezel very handy for timing parking meter expiration, cooking, and intervals between waypoints. I find it both dressy (with the white gold fluted bezel) and sporty (with the red date wheel, second hand, and TURN-O-GRAPH on the dial). The 36 looks and wears fine.

Stan, that is a beautiful watch, congratulations. If they would make it in a 41, my preferred size, I would buy one in a minute.
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Old 9 February 2022, 12:18 PM   #6
ogbeans
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Stan, that is a beautiful watch, congratulations. If they would make it in a 41, my preferred size, I would buy one in a minute.
What he said
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Old 9 February 2022, 12:28 PM   #7
adawil2002
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Very fond of the Thunderbird.
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Old 9 February 2022, 01:31 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan Cooper View Post
I bought a 2005 DJ 36 Turn-O-Graph last year and find the rotating bezel very handy for timing parking meter expiration, cooking, and intervals between waypoints. I find it both dressy (with the white gold fluted bezel) and sporty (with the red date wheel, second hand, and TURN-O-GRAPH on the dial). The 36 looks and wears fine.

What a beauty Stan
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Old 11 February 2022, 11:46 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stan Cooper View Post
I bought a 2005 DJ 36 Turn-O-Graph last year and find the rotating bezel very handy for timing parking meter expiration, cooking, and intervals between waypoints. I find it both dressy (with the white gold fluted bezel) and sporty (with the red date wheel, second hand, and TURN-O-GRAPH on the dial). The 36 looks and wears fine.


I like this model the best. Seriously thought about getting one many years ago and would have bought it too…..but…..it was a 36 and just too small. Enjoy. Looks great!


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Old 9 February 2022, 11:26 AM   #10
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I owned the neo vintage one 16264 and despite it is 36mm and it wear bigger on the wrist due to the white gold engraved bezel. It is great watch and I love the engraved bezel look on this regular Datejust and I won’t be hesitate to collect back the TOG if opportunity arises.

It is quite rare reference (old or modern model) and that’s why not people talking about them.


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Old 11 February 2022, 05:56 AM   #11
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I owned the neo vintage one 16264 and despite it is 36mm and it wear bigger on the wrist due to the white gold engraved bezel. It is great watch and I love the engraved bezel look on this regular Datejust and I won’t be hesitate to collect back the TOG if opportunity arises.

It is quite rare reference (old or modern model) and that’s why not people talking about them.


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Look like we got the same tastes on watches...^^^....lol......





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Old 11 February 2022, 10:47 AM   #12
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Look like we got the same tastes on watches...^^^....lol......






Indeed and my previous TOG was black dial :)

This white dial looks so good on you


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Old 11 February 2022, 10:55 AM   #13
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Look like we got the same tastes on watches...^^^....lol......






That is really nice.
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Old 9 February 2022, 11:36 AM   #14
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I have a pre-Thunderbird 6202 Turnograph from 1953. To me it’s the genesis of all modern Rolex sports watches. Love mine
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Old 9 February 2022, 12:37 PM   #15
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I have a pre-Thunderbird 6202 Turnograph from 1953. To me it’s the genesis of all modern Rolex sports watches. Love mine
Bravo
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Old 9 February 2022, 01:24 PM   #16
Moose500
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I have a pre-Thunderbird 6202 Turnograph from 1953. To me it’s the genesis of all modern Rolex sports watches. Love mine
That is one cool watch
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Old 31 March 2022, 08:37 AM   #17
BlakeA
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I have a pre-Thunderbird 6202 Turnograph from 1953. To me it’s the genesis of all modern Rolex sports watches. Love mine
That’s awesome. Almost looks new!
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Old 9 February 2022, 12:34 PM   #18
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Ditto. It’s a great watch and I find the size wears well. That watch has various iterations in terms of bracelet and dial color. It’s like having the functions of a sub in a dressier package. The market prices are still reasonable but like everything it is much higher than what they use to be. I prefer the blue dial but I’m biased.
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Old 11 February 2022, 11:54 AM   #19
subprimero
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Great watch with an interesting history.
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Old 11 February 2022, 12:29 PM   #20
fskywalker
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Had the grey dial version, very nice watch. Next time might go for blue or white dial on super jubilee bracelet


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Old 12 February 2022, 07:19 AM   #21
SL BRABUS
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Indeed and my previous TOG was black dial :)

This white dial looks so good on you


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That is really nice.
Thanks for the compliment.....

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Old 12 February 2022, 07:52 AM   #22
904VT
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These are amazing watches, and wish Rolex would bring back a new reference under this model range. That said, tough for that to even excite me as the entire Rolex purchase market is currently a PIA and not ideal luxury experience. I'll be putting my money into other brands until Rolex can make a reference they can keep up with in terms of demand and/or limit the current model of selling to big purchasers that in turn flip to resellers that in turn hoard inventory, driving artificial demand.
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Old 12 February 2022, 10:35 AM   #23
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I love the concept and have been temped. I'd love to see one at 40mm; I could go for that!
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Old 31 March 2022, 07:51 AM   #24
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My early 90's Thunderbird, now pretty much my daily. Back when they had paper warranty with all the watches info on it, like Thunderbird Slate Jubilee Arabic Dial. Haven't seen many like this one. The pic makes the dial look greenish, but it is grey in person, and the Jubilee dial is more subtle than in the pic.
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Old 31 March 2022, 08:25 AM   #25
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I was hoping for a re-release of this El-Camino style watch
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Old 31 March 2022, 09:36 AM   #26
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IMO the yacht-master 40 is what the modern Turnograph tries to be.


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