The coolest watch in the shop
I was checking through our inventory and noticed there was a lot of Rolex. Even though I try to offer a variety of other brands, the majority of the pieces we’ve been offering lately are vintage Rolex. While it might sound boring or predictable, I think that even when selling probably the most commercial watch brand that exists, you can still find really special stuff.
Rolex Ref. 1625 Thunderbird
I started wearing a Rolex Datejust that we currently have in stock—the all-gold ref. 1625—and thought, well, this might actually be the coolest watch we have in the shop. Let’s understand why.
By chance, we’ve gotten several gold Rolexes over the past few weeks. We have a killer 1803 with a blue minute-track dial and an extremely nice ladies’ Buckley Datejust, but the 1625 just talks to me. From a distance, it might look like a normal solid-gold Datejust on a Jubilee, which by itself already has a lot of presence. However, once you get closer, you start finding some special features.
Rolex Datejust ref. 1625 Thunderbird
This reference is known as the Thunderbird and features a rotating bezel, also in solid gold. It followed the Turn-O-Graph, the first serially produced Rolex with a rotating bezel. In 1954, Rolex introduced the ref. 6309, with a date function and offered in a variety of metals. In 1956, Rolex produced solid 18K gold ref. 6609s that were presented to members of the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbird demonstration squadron, which is where the nickname came from. In 1959, production of the 6609 ended and it was replaced by the ref. 1625, which is what we have here.
1959 Rolex Thunderbird Advertisement - Courtesy of Rolexmagazine.com
Thunderbird Squadron 1953 - Image courtesy of Rolexmagazine.com
In addition to the connection to the Air Force and its practical rotating bezel, the design is just great all around. In this specific example, the case and bracelet are unpolished, honest, and show a couple of scratches. It also carries a locally made D’Agosto Venezuelan Jubilee bracelet. The end links are wider and join the bracelet toward the lower part rather than through the middle like a traditional Jubilee. Once you wear it or get a closer look, the difference is really noticeable—and it’s very comfortable.
Under the top-right lug, you’ll also find a “C” import stamp. These subtle details are what make this particular piece especially interesting.
Engraved Caseback - “C” Import stamp under top right lug.
There’s also an engraving on the caseback: “G. Gonzales Acevedo.” We don’t know what it actually stands for. The “G” could be a military title or simply the owner’s first initial. I found information on two Cuban brothers and generals with a similar name who were active from the 1950s through the late 1990s, but there’s no way to confirm that this watch belonged to either of them. Considering the watch came from Venezuela, it’s an interesting possibility, but nothing more than that. It just adds another layer of mystery to the watch.
After wearing it and looking at it from different angles, the heft of a solid-gold Rolex is something else. You feel the value on your wrist—it’s a feeling that’s hard to explain. It’s not like wearing a subtle stainless-steel Submariner or Datejust. While those have their own appeal, wearing a full-gold Rolex takes me back to an era when wearing something like this felt more normal. Imagine wearing a solid-gold Datejust with shorts and a T-shirt. It feels almost careless, and somehow it just works.
I honestly believe this watch should be worth more. The combination of a rotating bezel with a dressy Datejust case is interesting by itself. But in this condition, you can really appreciate the raised, fat numerals on the bezel, the natural aging of the gold case, and a very well-cared-for dial. I think this would be a great addition to any collection, and it would definitely turn some heads at your next watch meetup.
I just added a 1675 to my personal collection, so I can’t really swing this Datejust, but the thought keeps crossing my mind. It just feels special, and every time I wear it, I seem to like it more. Being a dealer and handling tons of watches all the time, I don’t get that feeling very often.
So, if you’re in a position to just say, “Fuck it, I’ll get this,” I think it would be a great addition. It’s the coolest Datejust I’ve had for sure—and, at the moment, the coolest watch in the shop.
An amazing Rolex Datejust Thunderbird in solid 18K gold, dating back to 1968. This example is fitted with a South American bracelet, a combination you simply don’t come across often. It makes you wonder about its history—who owned it, and what was his story? It’s a watch with serious presence, but with a completely different personality from the classic all-gold Day-Date.
Condition & Specifications:
The 36mm 18K yellow gold case is in amazing condition—unpolished and extremely sharp. The bezel remains crisp, with thick, tall numerals and well-defined lines. The South American bracelet shows some stretch but also remains unpolished. The caseback has an engraving, and the bracelet fits up to approximately a 7.25-inch wrist. The watch has been serviced and is running perfectly. A 48-hour inspection period is provided upon receipt.
Notes:
If you’re going for a solid gold Datejust, why not go for something like this? An insane combination of coolness, weight, a special bracelet, and amazing original condition.
