Rolex Turn-O-Graph Models (List of Turn-O-Graph Models & History)

In the beginning, Turn-O-Graph was basically just a term that described that a Rolex had a rotatable bezel. Some of the early Rolex models with a rotating bezel did not have the text printed on the dial but the name would quickly establish itself to create a separate model line known as the “Turn-O-Graph”.

The history of the Turn-O-Graph goes all the way back to after World War II when Rolex doubled down on making tool watches specifically according to the needs and wants of different professions.

As the name suggests, the term “Turn-O-Graph” refers to the fact that these watches had turn-able (rotatable) bezels. The bezels are bidirectional and are meant to make the watch more functional by allowing the wearer to time different things (measure elapsed minutes), without having to have a chronograph.

Rolex is responsible for having created the first production with a rotating bezel in 1953 but rotating bezels in Rolex history actually go all the way back to 1937. This year, Rolex created a prototype known as the Zerographe with reference 3346. But since this was only a prototype, very few pieces were produced and it never went into standard production.

What is interesting about the Turn-O-graph is that it has never been a completely own model with its very own unique design. Instead, the addition of a rotating bezel on existing models has resulted in Turn-O-Graph versions, namely on the Submariner and on the Datejust.

The first Rolex Turn-O-Graph

The first Rolex Turn-O-Graph was officially launched in 1953 and was powered by the Caliber A.260. Like many other models, the early Turn-O-Graphs were made in a number of different versions and variants. Specifically, during this time, Rolex made models with different types of dials, different hands, different markers, and so on.

In the early days, Rolex promoted the Turn-O-Graph as a convenient timing tool for many different areas such as in sports and in everyday life. In other words, it was intended to make the watches more practical and functional. Bear in mind that this was during a time when people didn’t have the ability to pull out their phones and set a timer.

1954 saw the launch of the Submariner, and since Rolex created a sporty model with a rotating bezel, they needed to reposition the purpose of the Turn-O-Graph to continue to fill a gap in the market. They did so by moving towards the Datejust family and making it more of an elegant dress watch. After all, the sports watch segment with a rotating bezel was already now filled with the Submariner.

But the launch of the Turn-O-Graph with the Submariner styling actually came before this watch eventually developed into the Submariner. With this in mind, it’s safe to say that the Turn-O-Graph is responsible for having laid the foundation of some of the most important ever created, particularly for some of the most important watches that Rolex has ever created. We’re specifically talking about the GMT-Master and the Submariner.

During this period, Rolex also created Turn-O-Graph watches for the US Air Force Thunderbirds squadron, something that has later come to give birth to the nickname “Thunderbird” when talking about many of the Turn-O-Graph watches.

In 1959, Rolex released the Turn-O-Graph reference 1625 which was made available in many different variations. The interesting part is that this model had no “Turn-O-Graph” text on the dial. Instead, they only had the text “Datejust”. In 1977, Rolex stopped using the name “Turn-O-Graph” on its watches and in advertising altogether. It would take several decades, until 2000, for Rolex to reintroduce the Turn-O-Graph with the reference 16253, but still without using the name.

It would take until 2004 that Rolex officially reintroduced the name Turn-O-Graph on the dial. Rolex did so to commemorate and celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the model

This new Datejust Turn-O-Graph was based on the 116234, with the difference being that the bezel had minute markers and was rotatable. For the launch, Rolex created three references, 116263 in steel and yellow gold, 116264 in steel with a white gold fluted rotating bezel, and lastly, 116261 in steel and rose gold.

Rolex Turn-O-Graph models

Below is the complete list of the different Turn-O-Graph models and their respective production years. The production years are official data as defined by Rolex.

Turn-O-Graph 6202: 1953-1956
Turn-O-Graph 6609: 1954-1959
Turn-O-Graph 6309: 1954-1959
Turn-O-Graph 16250
Turn-O-Graph 1625/8 1960-1977
Turn-O-Graph 16258 1978-1988
Turn-O-Graph 116264 2004-2012
Turn-O-Graph 1625/4 1960-1977
Turn-O-Graph 16264 1989-2003
Turn-O-Graph 116263 2004-2012
Turn-O-Graph 16263 1989-2003
Turn-O-Graph 1625/3 1960-1977
Turn-O-Graph 16253 1977-1988
Turn-O-Graph 116261

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