Evolution of the Turn-O-Graph since 1970

[Prof. Rolex]

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:

(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:

(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:

(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):


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:


(Source: Antiquorum)

Best Regards
Matthias

[NicoH]

Thanks, Matthias, for taking the time


BTW - your own TOG looks great


Cheers

[jholbrook]

Another great article Mathias! Thanks much!

[Hannibal]

Great article, thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Volker

[Mike75]

Thanks Matthias,

in particular the old TOG become more and more fascinating to me.

Let's see what will follow...

Cheers,
Mike

[alicia]

the only one that turns me on is the 16264 in Steel/WG - I love this watch

thanks for sharing this informative report