My Favorite Datejust: The Turn-O-Graph Ref. 116263

April 28, 2016

Since were celebrating the 80th birthday of the Datejust, we thought it would be a good idea to have the Fratello writers pick their favorite one of all time. Theres a lot to choose from, to say the least, but I didnt have to think too long and hard to come up with my pick. My favorite Datejust is an adopted one. That s right: my pick wasnt 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 launched the Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202 in 1953, it was a standalone model that didnt belong to any product family. It was a novel watch. For instance, it was the first publicly available model outfitted with a rotating bezel that showed a 60-minute scale, making measuring elapsed time possible. It was also the brands first sports watch available in Rolesor, the flash combination of steel and yellow gold. The 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 discontinued the last generation of Turn-O-Graphs in 2011.The Turn-O-Graph ref. 6309 earned the nickname Thunderbird - Image: Sabi WatchesMy favorite Datejust is the Turn-O-Graph ref. 116263The 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 Datejusts 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, 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. Datejust Turn-o-Graph ref. 116263 - Image: Metropolis CollectionThree references came out - the Yellow Rolesor reference 116263, the reference 116264 in steel and white gold (or, as calls it, White Rolesor), and the reference 116261 in steel and pink gold. Why not Everose for the reference 116261, you ask? Well, 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 ExpoMy favorite Datejust, called a Turn-O-GraphThe 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, 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 ExpoBring 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 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 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, 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 Datejust Oysterquartz reference 17013 in steel and gold.1977 Datejust Oysterquartz ref. 17013What do you think of my all-time favorite Datejust, the Yellow Rolesor Turn-O-Graph ref. 116263? Do you agree that should bring it back, or should it stay gone? Let me know in the comments.