Rolex

• jeweled automatic movement • black 'tropical' dial, luminescent triangular, dot, and baton indexes, yellow gold Dauphine hands, center seconds, outer minute divisions, gilt coronet and lettering • stainless steel Oyster case, screw down crown and solid case back, black bezel calibrated for 60 units • case, dial, and movement signed • with a stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet and folding clasp

The movement is running at time of cataloguing, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. Case in overall fair vintage condition with polishing, wear, and scuffing consistent with age and use. Bezel with heavy wear. Black color loss to the bezel, especially at 60 and 30. Scratches, and scuffs throughout. Lugs with signs of polishing and wear. Case back with polishing, scuffs and some nicks. Coronet on crown with wear. Jubilee strap with wear. Bracelet clasp signed Rolex for the American market. Crystal with scuffs and wear. Dial in good vintage condition with very light and attractive signs of tropical fading to a deep brown.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

The present lot features an original rotating bezel and beautifully aged tropical dial with deep brown hues, vibrant and well preserved golden markers. 

Ref. 6202 was released and first presented at the Basel Fair in 1953. The Turn-O-Graph was the first series produced Rolex to feature a rotating bezel. Rolex often promoted this first series tool watch as a convenient and simple way of calculating the "timing of a transatlantic telephone call, the rate of a machine, a patient's pulse or the speed of a train." In the late 1950s, the Turn-O-Graph was popularly marketed as "Thunderbirds" because the U.S. Air Force equipped their Thunderbird aerobatic squadron pilots with Ref. 6202 for navigational calculations.

For more information on this reference, see Martin Skeet & Nick Urul, Vintage Rolex Sports Models, 2001, p. 100–101; for an illustration of a similar model, see p. 104.