Vintage Thunderbird Question??

[redshirt1957]

I am close to purchasing a vintage Thunderbird (1960's model I think) stamped 6609. I was told by the seller that the bezel on this model does not turn. Is that correct? All of my Rolexs are 1980 and 1990 models and I know nothing about Thunderbird or Turn-O-Graph models.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

TOUGH question!

I am not sure, but I would say that the bezel would turn both ways and be non-ratcheted (no 120 clicks).

It would be odd to call a Rolex "Turn-O-Graph" is the bezel does NOT turn, wouldn't it?

[redshirt1957]

I agree. I would have questioned the seller more, but I did not want to insult him with my ignorance of the subject matter. My search goes on.

[Tools]

Red,

The Rolex DJ Turn-O-Graph with the "Thunderbird" bezel came out in the 1950's..

It should definitely turn...

Here's a pic of one actually issued to Thunderbird pilots of the era:

[redshirt1957]

Thanks. The watch I am looking at buying has the same hands, but different hour markings (stick markings) and no Thunderbird at the six. It has even days in red and odd days in black. The bezel does looks the same. I wonder if Rolex made a bezel with markings (i.e. 10/20/30 and so on) for a datejust that then would not move? Mu gut tells me to be careful. Again...thanks for the info.

[timebroker]

I saw one in real life some days ago, almost exactly the same as Tools showed.

Here is some more info.

Ref. 6609, So-Called "Thunderbird" Rolex, "Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified", Made in 50's. Center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant.
Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, screwed-down dedicated case back and crown, bidirectional revolving reeded and graduated bezel, crystal with "cyclops" lens. M. Cal. 1065, rhodiumplated, "oeil-de-perdrix" decoration, 25 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions.

This is just one example, apparently they used a lot of different calibers so a picture or more info would be helpful.

[redshirt1957]

Timebroker...WHEW...Maybe I should stick with vintage Corvettes. Boy do I feel dumb. Thanks for the info.

OK..I need a little help. How do I post a jpg to this thread. Don't make me ask my wife or my kids!!!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Timebroker...WHEW...Maybe I should stick with vintage Corvettes. Boy do I feel dumb. Thanks for the info.

OK..I need a little help. How do I post a jpg to this thread. Don't make me ask my wife or my kids!!!

This is MY suggestion to post pics here:

1) Go to www.photobucket.com and create an account (it's FREE!)
2) Upload the pic to photobucket from your PC
3) When it's uploaded, copy the IMG code (BOTTOM bar under the photo in photobucket - there are four bars, but you'd wanna use the third and last bar). You copy the IMG code by simply clicking on the bar.
4) You then note that photobucket tells you "copied".
5) Then go to rolexforums and start your post.
6) In your post, press the "Add picture" button and a prompt pops up with http://. Delete that http:// and press CTRL + V (now that address of the photo - the "IMG tag" - is inserted in the prompt you got.
7) Then DELETE the last and first [IMG] to get rid of "IMG" standing before and after your photo when you post it. (not important, but just looks better).

Or you can skip # 6 & 7 and just rightclick in your post and choose "paste"...........BINGO your photo will be there as soon as you press Submit reply.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT DELETE THE PICTURE FROM PHOTOBUCKET (OR ANY SERVER YOU USE) SINCE DELETING IT THERE WOULD ALSO DELETE IT HERE ON TRF! (RED CROSS INSTEAD OF PIC).

That's it!

[redshirt1957]

Here is a picture of the watch.

[ROLEXAHOLIC]

Welcome!!

[timebroker]

That would be this one ...

So-called "Thunderbird" Rolex, Oyster Perpetual "Datejust", Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 6609. Production of this reference started in the 1950s. Fine and rare, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel and 18K yellow gold gentleman’s wristwatch with date.
C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, revolving reeded and graduated bezel, crystal with "cyclops" lens, date disc alternately in red and black. D. Black with applied gold indexes and tritium coated dots, aperture for the date. Tritium coated gold "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 1066, rhodium plated, "oeil-de-perdrix" decoration, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating free-sprung...

Only thing different are the hands.
And by the way, do not feel stupid, just goto Antiquorum and do a search on "thunderbird", you'll see where the info comes from.
This watch was sold in 2004 for 1800 dollar.
Keep in mind that prices have gone up considerably over the last years.

[jonnychou]

Hi, I just bought 6609 gold with 22xxxx serial, what year is it product? I look at book around year 1955, one thing made me confused is the date all in black colour, not in red and black, is it genuine wheel date??
Thanks

Originally Posted by timebroker

That would be this one ...

So-called "Thunderbird" Rolex, Oyster Perpetual "Datejust", Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified, Ref. 6609. Production of this reference started in the 1950s. Fine and rare, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel and 18K yellow gold gentleman’s wristwatch with date.
C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, revolving reeded and graduated bezel, crystal with "cyclops" lens, date disc alternately in red and black. D. Black with applied gold indexes and tritium coated dots, aperture for the date. Tritium coated gold "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 1066, rhodium plated, "oeil-de-perdrix" decoration, 25 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperatures and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating free-sprung...

Only thing different are the hands.
And by the way, do not feel stupid, just goto Antiquorum and do a search on "thunderbird", you'll see where the info comes from.
This watch was sold in 2004 for 1800 dollar.
Keep in mind that prices have gone up considerably over the last years.