Evolution of the Turn-O-Graph since 1970
Dear Rolex-Fans,
today I would like to bring the Turn-O-Graph into the focus. Following please find the different versions and references from the beginning of the 70ies.
In 1970 the Rolex-Program shows:
Turn-O-Graph, ref. 1625/x, caliber 1575, without quickset of the date, plexi crystal. The following references were available:
Steel/Whitegold, Ref. 1625/4
Steel/Pinkgold, Ref. 1625/33 (33=?)
Stell/Yellowgold, Ref 1625/3
Yellowgold, Ref. 1625/8
Pinkgold, Ref. 1625/83 (83=?)
The references in pinkgold were only available until approx. 1974. A Turn-O-Graph completely made out of whitegold similar to the resp. Datejust 1601/9 was not part of the manufacturing program.
Interestingly the 1625 was equipped with a smaller winding crown (dia. 5.3 mm, no. 530) than the resp. Datejust 160x (dia. 6 mm, no. 600).
Although the new caliber 3035 was introduced on the Datejust already 1978, the Turn-O-Graph was still delivered with the “old” caliber 1575 until approx. 1981.
Example of a ref. 1625/3:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tches/1625.jpg
(Source: Antiquorum)
Approx. 1981:
Introduction of the Turn-O-Graph ref. 1625x, caliber 3035, with quickset of the date, plexi crystal, slightly changed layout of the the bezel. Available were:
Steel, Ref. 16250
Steel/Yellowgold, Ref. 16253
Yellowgold, Ref. 16258
It is an often unknown detail, that the „old“ steel/whitegoldversion ref. 1625/4 was given up for a Turn-O-Graph completely made out of stainless steel (ref. 16250, there was never a 16254).
The winding crown of the 1625x was now the same as for the Datejust 1601x (both dia. 6.0 mm, no. 600).
Example of a ref. 16253:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ches/16253.jpg
(Source: tic-tock.com)
Approx. 1989:
Introduction of the Turn-O-Graph ref. 1626x, caliber 3135, sapphire crystal, new layout of the bezel. Available were only two references:
Steel/Whitegold, Ref. 16264
Steel/Yellowgold, Ref. 16263
Interestingly there is once again a steel/whitegoldversion, but no longer a pure steelversion. Also the yellowgoldversion was deleted completely.
Example of a 16263:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ches/16263.jpg
(Source: tic-tock.com)
since 2004:
Introduction of the Turn-O-Graph Ref. 11626x, caliber 3135, new layout of the bezel, the case and the dial. Available References:
Steel/Whitegold, Ref. 116264
Steel/pinkgold, Ref. 116261
Steel/Yellowgold, Ref. 116263
For the first time since the 50ies the name “Turn-O-Graph” appears once again on the dial. Therefore the choice of dials is reduced to only three dials for each reference, whereas the old references 1625/x, 1625x and 1626x were available with the complete range of the Datejust-dials.
Since the beginnig of the 70ies a steel/pinkgoldversion is once again available.
As an example I would like to show my own Turn-O-Graph in steel/pinkgold (Ref. 116261):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...s/116261-3.jpg
What is missing in the a.m. listing are the Turn-O-Graphs from the 50ies and 60ies (Ref. 6202, 6309 and 6609). The 6202 for example was produced in different layouts only from 1953 to 1954:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...tches/6202.jpg
(Source: Antiquorum)
Best Regards
Matthias
