Notes: Due to the less-standardized production process of the time, the reference 6202 saw a variety of different dial variations; and the 6202-reference number was also used for watches that were branded under Rolex’s Monometer line. The Monometer was produced for a very short period of time and very few examples were manufactured. Other than the name on the dial, the reference 6202 Monometer was identical to the reference 6202 Turn-O-Graph, and both watches can be considered the precursors to Rolex’s Submariner.

Mechanism: The A260 was used in the 6202, 6204 and 6205 Oyster series in the 1950s. It is a fairly obscure mechanism compared to some of its mass-produced contemporaries. It is an automatic (self-winding) mechanism. Both the A260 and A296 were developed at the same time. Neither one is superior to the other. They just have different form-factors, with the A260 being designed for slimmer cases than the A296. Both are COSC certified as chronometers.

Family Notes: In 1926, Hans Wilsdorf introduced the Oyster watch which used a waterproof case, hence the name. He added "Perpetual" to the name when in 1933 he introduced a reliable automatic self-winding watch. Hence the name means "Waterproof, Self-Winding" in Rolex-speak and generally means the watch is water resistant to a depth of 100 meters.

Type: The "Turn-O-Graph" appellation refers to the use of a rotating (diver) bezel. The first watch to appear with this nomenclature was the 6202 or 'Pre-Submariner" - which looks like a Submariner but isn't. The rotating bezel feature had appeared prior to the 6202 on certain Rolex models, but these did not carry the name "Turn-O-Graph".

Launched in 1953, the Rolex Turn-O-Graph preceded the two other iconic Rolex watches that are famous for their rotating bezels — the Rolex Submariner and the Rolex GMT-Master. The first Datejust “Turn-O-Graph” collection is the 6202. The steel model of the 6202 looks quite similar to the Sub with its glossy black dial, luminous Mercedes-style hands, luminescent hour markers, and of course, the black bezel calibrated to 60 units.

In the late 1950s, the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbird aerobatic squadron equipped their pilots with the Turn-O-Graph watches for navigational calculations. Rolex took full advantage of this opportunity and produced the “Thunderbird” Turn-O-Graph watches. These Thunderbird watches were crafted in 18k yellow gold with the Thunderbird insignia on the dial along with a date window and corresponding Cyclops lens. Add this to the list of military watches from Rolex. They also released an accompanying advertising campaign focused on the new relationship. Interestingly, Rolex began referring to all Turn-O-Graph watches in the American market as “Thunderbirds” to capitalize on the official military partnership.