The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 76

Ref. 1625, So-called "Thunderbird" Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified?, Ref. 1625. Case No. 2703189. Made in 1971. Fine and rare, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel and white gold gentleman's wristwatch with date and a stainless steel Jubilee bracelet.

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

EUR 2,500 - 4,000 / USD 3,000 - 4,700

Sold: CHF 4,130

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screweddown case back and crown, revolving bidirectional reeded and graduated 18K white gold bezel, crystal with "cyclops" lens. D. Silver with applied black painted steel bâton indexes and luminous dots, aperture for the date. Luminous steel "bâton" hands. M. Cal. 1575, rhodium-plated, "oeil-deperdrix" decoration, 26 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to temperature and 5 positions, shock-absorber, selfcompensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3-7

Good

Oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-5-01

Good

Poor

HANDS Original

Notes

The movement of this watch is stamped with calibre No. 1570. This relates to the base calibre, the upgraded movement is calibre 1575 as mentioned in Collecting Rolex Wristwatches by Osvaldo Patrizzi. The Rolex catalogue of 1965 refers to reference 1625 as the ?DATEJUST, TURN-O-GRAPH?. The name ?Thunderbird? Given to these watches after the U.S. Air Force elite Aerobatics team The Thunderbirds were used in an advertisement for these watches in the United States. This watch is illustrated in ?Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches?, by Osvaldo Patrizzi, 2001 Edition, p. 290.