104th Auction
2021/5/22
Lot 281
RolexDatejust Thunderbird
An extremely rare vintage wristwatch with red/black alternating date - an early "Thunderbird" example
Sold
estimated
8.500—10.000 €
Price realized
10.000 €
specific features
Case
18k rose gold, screw back ref. 6309, screwed "Twinlock" crown, bidirectional rotating reeded bezel, 18k rose gold Rolex buckle.
Dial
Silvered, applied dart indexes with luminous dots, luminous alpha hands.
Movement
Automatic.
Case no.85657
Ref.6309
Cal.Hunter
Diam.36 mm
Circa1955
Ctry.Swiss
Reference 6309 is a fusion of the two Rolex models "Turn-O-Graph" and "Datejust". It was advertised with photographs of the United States Air Force Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds, which soon led to reference 6309 and its successors being referred to as "Thunderbirds".
This watch has an extremely beautiful bezel with perfectly preserved engraving. The dial has acquired a charming patina and features the red "Datejust" logo in the centre as well as the original "roulette" date wheel, which is very rare today.