#6609

[every-tome]

[moonwatchuniverse]

1953-2023 “ 70 years USAF Thunderbirds “ In 1953, after deactivating the “Acrojets” due to the Korean War effort, the US Air Force activated a new aerobatic flight demo team named the “Thunderbirds” after the mythical creature  known by many American indigenous cultures. The team flew subsonic F-84G Thunderjets. In 1954, the USAF turned to Rolex to provide the team with good pilot wrist watches and Rolex suggested their revolutionary designed 36 mm stainless steel Turn-O’Graph 6609 with rotational bezel. However, after a long duty tour with the demo team, many pilots were issued a Gold Datejust version. Rolex aligned themselves with the Thunderbirds in their promotional materials, and nicknamed their Datejust Turn-O-Graph the ‘Thunderbird’, placing the team’s emblem directly on the dial at six o’clock position. Between 1955-1957 NASA astronaut William Pogue was Thunderbirds team member and wore his Gold Datejust during NASA training for Apollo & Skylab programs. This photo shows US Air Force Captain Herman Griffin wearing a Gold Datejust 6605 during the 1958 season... 65 years ago! (Photo: USAF)

[5sospicturesque]

Clearing out my camera roll 6609/?

[amsterdamvintagewatches]

6609 ToG with leaf-hands and black gilt dial, Thunderbirds for the win! ✈️ #amsterdamvintagewatches rolex #rolexdatejust #rolex6609 #6609 #thunderbirds #rolexthunderbird #rolexturnograph (bij Amsterdam Vintage Watches) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6IqqKFBRMu/?igshid=g9ixe851xevo

[everymobbu]

[5sospicturesque]

Clearing out my camera roll 6609/?

[moonwatchuniverse]

70 years ago... Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph for the "Thunderbirds" Between 1956 and 1960, Rolex put the "supersonic" USAF air demonstration squadron, the "Thunderbirds" in the spotlights by awarding the pilots a Datejust Turn-O-Graph pilot watch. During 4 years, it looks like both the Steel & Gold Thunderbirds logo dial versions were awarded to the pilot as can be seen in the 1956 and 1958 Thunderbirds pilots group photos. Note William "Bill" Pogue, who later became a NASA astronaut and flew on the Skylab space station, mission SL-4. By 1964, the "Thunderbirds" flew the Republic F-105B Thunderchief but returned using the North American F-100D Super Sabre up to 1969. Although 1960s film footage shows the "Thunderbirds" still wearing Rolex Datejust pilot watches, it's hard to make out but these were no longer logo dial versions. In summary, USAF Thunderbirds logo dial pilot watch versions: 6605, 6609 & 1625. (Photos: USAF/AP/Rolex)



[envylegobuilds]