Rolex Turn-O-Graph Ref. 116264

For all of the iconic timepieces Rolex has produced in over a century of watchmaking, there have been a few noteworthy "misses" - watches that, for one reason or another, failed to capture the imagination and open the checkbooks of the watch buying public at at large.

Out of this small but noteworthy collection of oddball timepieces, our favorite is far and away the Turn-O-Graph.  Originally released in the 1950s, the Turn-O-Graph was soon nicknamed the "Thunderbird" after being selected by the US Air Force's precision flying team of the same name for its elite pilots.  While the original Turn-O-Graphs were based on the standard Oyster Perpetual Datejust case, the added element of a rotating outer bezel gave it a sportier vibe and slightly larger dimensions, which for some reason never really caught on.

Turn-O-Graphs have come and gone from the Rolex lineup several times, each time with hope that a new generation of buyers would finally see the appeal - and each time the experiment has been relatively short lived.  Most recently, Rolex released the reference 116264, produced in the early 2000s.  Once again, the model was short-lived and went out of production after only a few years.

As with any great oddball product, the Turn-O-Graph has taken on a following from a growing number of timepiece collectors, and today they are finally beginning to catch on to a larger community of timepiece enthusiasts.  While the earliest examples are beginning to catch up in value to their "standard" Datejust siblings, modern pieces such as the one presented here are still relatively undervalued, making the reference 116264 a tremendous opportunity.

This particular piece is a steel cased version and is paired with a white gold outer bezel.  Its charcoal colored dial sits as a backdrop to polished steel hour markers and red accents on the seconds hand and date wheel, and the balance of brushed and polished elements is complemented by the Jubilee bracelet with hidden clasp - sharp as hell!  We had this piece cleaned up and fully serviced, and it is now ready to go.  You'd have to look pretty hard to find a contemporary Rolex this cool in this price range elsewhere!

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.