Initially launched in 1953, the Rolex Turn-O-Graph's release sparked an exciting turning point in their horological history. Considered Rolex's first serially produced tool watch, the Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202 was iconic for its eponymous feature; its bidirectional rotatable bezel. Armed with such a useful function, the Turn-O-Graph was designed to measure and record time much like a chronograph. Marketed to international business travellers, the Turn-O-Graph was presented as a tool to perform quick calculations due to its bezel. As such, the Turn-O-Graph was chosen by the United States Air Force’s aerobic squadron, the Thunderbirds, to aid in their pilots' navigational calculations. Recognizing the opportunity, Rolex marketed the Turn-O-Graph as the "Thunderbird" in the North American market. As sales for the Turn-O-Graph began to decline following the Submariner and GMT-Master’s launches due to their similar design and heightened utility, the Turn-O-Graph name only remained in use until the early 1960s before it was discontinued. However, the Turn-O-Graph did live on to an extent as the collection was absorbed into the Datejust family with the Turn-O-Graph’s rotating bezel remaining in the Datejust until 2000.