The Mondani Collection of Rolex Wrist...

Geneva, May 14, 2006

LOT 77

So-called "Thunderbird" Rolex, ?Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified?, Ref. 1625. Case No. 5232382. Made in 1977. Fine and rare, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 18k yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with date and an 18k yellow gold Jubilee bracelet.

CHF 8,000 - 12,000

EUR 5,000 - 8,000 / USD 6,300 - 9,500

Sold: CHF 12,390

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, revolving bi-directional reeded and graduated bezel, crystal with "cyclops" lens. D. Black with applied yellow gold 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, self-compensating 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: AA

Very good
Case: 3-7

Good

Oxidized
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

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-OGRAPH?. 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. 289.