A little bit unusual: The Turn-O-Graph Ref. 116261

[Prof. Rolex]

Dear Rolex-Fans,
today I would like to present a Rolex from my collection, which is a little bit unusual. It is a Turn-O-Graph in Steel/Rosegold (Ref. 116261) with silver dial and Jubilee-bracelet:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/116261-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/116261-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/rckseite.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/seite.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/116261-1.jpg

The watch was bought in September 2005 during holidays in Switzerland and I went there already with the plan to buy a new Rolex. So I made a visit to my authorized Rolex-dealer Bucherer in Interlaken. Nearly all of my Rolex-watches were bougth at Bucherer, beginning with the Explorer II 1655 in 1979.

At first I had in mind to buy a “normal” Datejust in Steel and Rosegold (Ref. 116231) with Jubilee-bracelet and silver stick dial, but Bucherer only had in stock some models with dark dials, roman numerals and without Luminova, but all those dials were not really my taste. The Bucherer-salesman (I knew him already, as I had bought a Daytona 116520 in November 2004 from him) therefore asked me, whether I would also be interested in a Turn-O-Graph. I was a little bit skeptical, but he asked me to wait and see. From the safe-deposit he came back with a Turn-O-Graph in exactly the combination I had in mind. An unusual Rolex: The red second-hand, the red date…. Contrary to my expectation I was impressed and since my 1655 I have a little weakness for special designed Rolex-models. To make a long story short: The Turn-O-Graph became part of my collection.

Here is the complete set:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/116261set.jpg

As the Bucherer-Salesman knew, that I have already the big green box for my Daytona 116520 he offered me the last remaining Mahagony-box he had in stock. And in addition he also gave me two small give-aways:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/zugabe.jpg

Particularly the new Jubilee-bracelet (Ref. 6320x) with the solid end and middle links, as well as the concealed clasp is very impressive. The upper part of the middle links are highly polished and the bottom side is brushed, as known from the old bracelets with hollow middle-links. The in contradiction to the old Jubilee-bracelets with “black holes” existing side walls of the middle-links are also brushed. The quality of the complete bracelet is phantastic and a big improvement compared to the old Jubilee-bracelets.

Here you can see the solid end links:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/SEL-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/SEL-2.jpg

Very interesting is the opening mechanism of the concealed clasp. Through lifting up the Rolex-crown two small levers on the other side fold up for lifting the upper part of the clasp, which then clicks off from the lower clasp part.

Rolex-crown not lifted, levers folded down:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/schliee-1.jpg

Rolex-crown lifted, levers folded up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/schliee-2.jpg

Because of the new solid Jubilee-bracelet the watch is relatively heavy and weighs in my case (3 links removed) 128 grams. That is nearly the weight of my Day-Date 18038 (135 grams) with also shortened President-bracelet (Ref. 8385/8 ). My Datejust 1601 in white Rolesor with “old” Jubilee-bracelet (Ref. 62510) weighs only 83 grams.

Following please find some wristshots:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/wrist116261-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/wrist116261-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/wrist-2.jpg

And in addition a picture of the “small” Turn-O-Graph together with the “big” Eiger-Northface:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/MatthiasRBO/watches/wrist-3.jpg

Best Regards
Matthias

[Pille]

Thanks for this report and the great pictures, Matthias :gut:

As you described, the quality of the new TOG - especially bracelet and clasp - made a big improvement, which make this "small" watch quite "present" at the wrist, due to its weight.

But I like it more with the black dial, because of the contrast black-red and red-gold :cool:
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5504/c1162618nk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[PCS]

Fantastic pics. And very nice giveaways, you got...

[watchman]

gorgeous pics :gut:

[PVH]

Nicht watch especially the white dial ist extremly fine for the TOG!
BTW: Nice Pics!

[preppyking]

what a beautiful timepiece! Beautiful wristshots!

[4rolex4me]

Great report! :dr:

My wife wears one in S/S white dial and oyster bracelet!

[retsyo]

The TOG - still a beauty of it's kind...

Thanks for sharing! :gut:

[ehemaliges mitglied]

Nice pictures and a great story about your relationship with Bucherer! I like those sustainable relationships.

Gr,
István

[jholbrook]

Excellent review! Thanks!

[thessus]

nice pics