My Favorite Rolex Datejust Is An “Adopted” One: The Turn-O-Graph Ref. 116263
Since we’re celebrating the 80th birthday of the Rolex Datejust, we thought it would be a good idea to have the Fratello writers pick their favorite one of all time. There’s a lot to choose from, to say the least, but I didn’t have to think too long and hard to come up with my pick. My favorite Rolex Datejust is an “adopted” one. That’s right: my pick wasn’t a Datejust by “birth,” but it became part of the family a bit later. My pick is the Turn-O-Graph ref. 116263, a last-generation steel and yellow gold watch with a very dark charcoal-gray dial and a swanky Super Jubilee bracelet with a suave concealed clasp.
When Rolex launched the Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202 in 1953, it was a standalone model that didn’t belong to any product family. It was a novel watch. For instance, it was the first publicly available Rolex model outfitted with a rotating bezel that showed a 60-minute scale, making measuring elapsed time possible. It was also the brand’s first sports watch available in Rolesor, the flash combination of steel and yellow gold. The Rolex marketing department introduced this sporty yet chic creation “as a reminder of times past, for phone calls, conferences, timing, parking, and countless other ways.” It was very much worthy to be in a category of its own, but the second generation, a watch that gained a date indicator and a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock, was “adopted” by the Datejust family, and it was part of it until Rolex discontinued the last generation of Turn-O-Graphs in 2011.
The Turn-O-Graph ref. 6309 earned the nickname “Thunderbird” — Image: Sabi Watches
My favorite Rolex Datejust is the Turn-O-Graph ref. 116263
The second-generation Turn-O-Graph that made it possible for me to pick one for this “Best of” series is the reference 6309, which earned the nickname “Thunderbird.” Apart from the Datejust’s signature Cyclops and the updated caliber 743, the watch also debuted a luxurious, textured gold bezel. This lavish extra remained a Turn-O-Graph trademark until the end of production in 2011. In 2004, Rolex launched the final generation of the Datejust Turn-O-Graph. The 36mm watch came out with a refined look, showing a fluted instead of an engine-turned bezel and more tapered lugs. In my opinion, the best features were the red date, red seconds hand, and red “TURN-O-GRAPH” lettering.
Rolex Datejust Turn-o-Graph ref. 116263 — Image: Metropolis Collection
Three references came out — the Yellow Rolesor reference 116263, the reference 116264 in steel and white gold (or, as Rolex calls it, White Rolesor), and the reference 116261 in steel and pink gold. Why not Everose for the reference 116261, you ask? Well, Rolex only introduced Everose, its proprietary alloy of pink gold, in 2005, so it was not used from the start of production.
Two last-generation Turn-O-Graph models — Image: Swiss Watch Expo
My favorite Datejust, called a Turn-O-Graph
The Turn-O-Graph ref. 116263 is a Datejust wearing sneakers. Although discontinued in 2011, the presence of a double-sealed Twinlock screw-down crown and a solid five- or three-row bracelet makes it futureproof. I was slightly doubtful about this reference with a dark gray dial and red details. For the Land of the Rising Sun, Rolex made 300 Turn-O-Graphs watches with a white dial and another 300 with a black dial, both with green instead of red details. For a while, I thought those might be better, but in the end, my vote goes to the version with the bright red accents because it looks more lively.
Check out the Japanese limited edition with green details on the right — Image: Swiss Watch Expo
Bring it back!
Inside my favorite “Datejust” beats the praised self-winding caliber 3135. It does so in an aforementioned 36mm case that has a lot of presence. In 2011, the year Rolex axed the Turn-O-Graph, many people considered this case size small for the modern man. But in 2025, that is no longer the dominant opinion. Especially for Rolex watches, 36mm is a great size because of the design and proportions. In addition, the Turn-O-Graph presents itself confidently with some pretty flashy details, such as a sparkling fluted bezel and a touch of color. This watch is no wallflower, but it is timeless. As I wrote three years ago, Rolex should bring back the Turn-O-Graph in all three Rolesor variations — dark gray, white, and blue dials — and offer a choice between a Jubilee and an Oyster bracelet.
Also, in case I get disqualified for picking an adopted Datejust, my other choice is the 1977 Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz reference 17013 in steel and gold.
1977 Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz ref. 17013
What do you think of my all-time favorite Datejust, the Yellow Rolesor Turn-O-Graph ref. 116263? Do you agree that Rolex should bring it back, or should it stay gone? Let me know in the comments.
