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Lot Essay
The present ref. 6202 is a fine example of the Turn-O-Graph, presented at the Basel Fair in 1953, the year of production of this watch. The model was always fitted with a rotating bezel with five-minute divisions, referred to as a "time-recording-rim" by Rolex.
Designed to be used as a simplified chronograph version for timing events for up to an hour, it was promoted as being able to calculate the "Timing of a transatlantic telephone call, the rate of a machine, a patient's pulse, the speed of a train or the development of a film". Ref. 6202 can be regarded as the forefather of Rolex’s rotating bezel tool watches. It is credited as being their first serially-produced watch with this feature, a model that would ultimately evolve into several of the firm’s most celebrated series of sports watches.
Despite its brilliant concept, the Turn-O-Graph was at the time not as successful as expected by Rolex, mainly due to the simultaneous in-house competition from the Submariner and the GMT-Master. Made during a short period of time and in a very small series only, surviving examples of Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202 have become rare and desirable collector’s watches in today’s market.
Designed to be used as a simplified chronograph version for timing events for up to an hour, it was promoted as being able to calculate the "Timing of a transatlantic telephone call, the rate of a machine, a patient's pulse, the speed of a train or the development of a film". Ref. 6202 can be regarded as the forefather of Rolex’s rotating bezel tool watches. It is credited as being their first serially-produced watch with this feature, a model that would ultimately evolve into several of the firm’s most celebrated series of sports watches.
Despite its brilliant concept, the Turn-O-Graph was at the time not as successful as expected by Rolex, mainly due to the simultaneous in-house competition from the Submariner and the GMT-Master. Made during a short period of time and in a very small series only, surviving examples of Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202 have become rare and desirable collector’s watches in today’s market.