In recent years, as dress models have been re-evaluated in the world of vintage Rolex, there is one model that has once again been drawing attention.
That is the Thunderbird, which began as a custom-ordered model commemorating the retirement of the captain of the U.S. Air Force acrobatics team, the "Thunderbirds." It's not overly sporty nor overly dressy; with its elegant yet powerful presence, it's a model with a unique charm within Rolex.
The Thunderbird is considered a difficult model among vintage Rolex. Due to the small absolute number of pieces, it's extremely difficult to judge whether the parts and specifications are consistent, and in most cases, some parts have been replaced.
The piece we are introducing today is an early example of the Ref. 1625, the third generation of the Thunderbird, which is impeccable in both consistency and condition. Its remarkable features include hands and index shapes inherited from the previous generation, Ref. 6609, a framed calendar window, the absence of luminous material from the beginning, and the fact that the mirror dial's luster is relatively well-preserved due to the lack of luminous material.
(Above) A mirror dial with well-preserved luster due to the absence of luminous material. Some Thunderbird dials do have luminous material, but in such cases, radium was used, which often causes severe deterioration of the dial.
Again, the Thunderbird is truly a tricky piece. For example, if a dial has luminous material, it should historically be radium, but it's not uncommon for it to be tritium, making identification extremely difficult.
Furthermore, the dial itself is often replaced with one from a Datejust, which has a very similar design. Originally, Datejust dials are slightly larger, so in such cases, the outer circumference is shaved to adjust the size, and the "SWISS" marking at 6 o'clock becomes invisible. While it's immediately obvious if you know what to look for, someone unfamiliar with it might overlook it.
I have even seen an instance where a white gold bezel, which should have been on a stainless steel model, was gold-plated and then attached to a solid gold model.
From these examples, you can clearly see that because the absolute number of pieces is small, it's practically impossible to acquire only consistent parts later on.
(Above) The clearly visible "SWISS" marking is the best proof that the dial is original.
(Below) The bracelet is also, of course, original. This is a truly rare Thunderbird with perfect consistency.
Despite these difficulties, the Thunderbird still possesses a charm that makes one desire it.
Its appearance, neither strictly sporty nor dressy, might seem ambiguous at first glance, but in its undefinitive, flexible stance and sense of余裕 (ease/latitude), one can perhaps see a distinctly modern sophistication.
As dress watches are being re-evaluated, this Thunderbird is a recommended choice for those who love sports models as a piece to acquire now, and for those who love dress models, it can be a "final" piece.
Among such Thunderbirds, a piece with impeccable consistency and condition is a rare find, one that takes many years of searching, perhaps with some failures along the way, to finally encounter.
(Thank you, sold)
