Rolex first introduced The Datejust Thunderbird type in the mid 50s. The main difference is attributable and rotatable to the use of the bezel (Turn-O-Graph bezel). The name Thunderbird itself stuck after the aerobatic squadron Thunderbird (owned by the U.S. Air Force) chose this Rolex as their official wristwatch. The first reference produced is ref.6309 which only made during the two years until the year 1956. The successor is type ref.6609 having a different movement that is cal.1065 which is the latest movement of Rolex at the time. Ref.6609 is not long producedand in the 1960, Rolex released the 'modern' version of the Turn-O-Graph (or Thunderbird) that is ref.1625 which continue to be produced until the year 1977.
Thunderbird in this collection represents the second generation of Thunderbird ref.6609. This Thunderbird has the color of the dial that is rarely encountered on the type of thunderbird that is black. This clock is always provided on a regular basis to the RSC (Rolex Service Centre) for maintenance. And at last service, the RSC replace a set of dial with clockwise. This substitution is probably due to his old age that causes the condition of clock dial and the needle was not good anymore.
Another is the replacement of the slab pointer date. 6609 originally have two colors for a date that is red and black. The date at this hour is changed to black and all like on the Datejust series in general. The dial successor chosen is doff black (matte black dial) so that is very different with the appearance of ordinary Rolex mostly using a dial type of glossy (shiny). If you look at the index on the dial is also larger than generally stem index, and for me it becomes more interesting and unique! At first I thought that this clock-dial is replaced by using a dial ref.1601 but it can not.
Dial-Thunderbird made smaller than dial Datejust series generally. This is done by Rolex because Thunderbird’s bezel is wide enough so that if you keep using regular datejust dial design, the diameter of the Thunderbird would be great. If forced 1601’s dial into the thunderbird’s casing there will be papers or index bar which is covered by the casing.
Thunderbird ref.6609 hallmark produced in 1958 and the next generation is more convex in caseback’s shape. This is because its movement design that was thicker than movement of the generation thereafter. This clock has a caseback which is still very good with serrations that are still sharp. This is one proof that this clock was treated well and use the right tools and right to open it. It immediately paired with a leather strap of this Rolex vs Tag Heuer Lorenzo with a very classic strap design. Then It combined with Rolex buckle generic bezel color with this clock. The combination of wristwatch with a combination of black and gold dial, plus a black leather strap make it look very interesting!...