Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1975
    Reference No: 6263
    Case No: 3'956'027 inside caseback stamped with repeated case number
    Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph "Fuerza Aérea del Perú”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 Jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max. length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 7-70
    Dimensions: 37,5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Original fitted box, blank guarantee and product literature
    Literature: The reference 6263 "FAP" is illustrated in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editions, pages 384 to 387.

  • Catalogue Essay

    It seems unimaginable to the collectors of the present day that a wristwatch as collectible as the Rolex Daytona was issued to members of the armed services. But such was the case with the Peruvian Air Force, or Fuerza Aérea del Peru (“FAP”), who ordered Rolex watches for their pilots. They ordered another brand of chronograph watches before the early 1960s, but eventually that was overtaken solely by Rolex, supposedly due to a relationship with the eminent Rolex authorized dealer in Peru.

    Typical of special-issued Rolexes, the serial number between the lugs is repeated within the inner caseback. There is a small hole on the outer case back, near the ‘teeth’. This hole was used to secure the case back while Rolex stamped the markings. This example also bears a rare “Sigma” dial, indicated that the indexes were struck in white gold – a little bit of luxury for the rugged military type.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 6263
A fine and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, made for the Peruvian Air Force

Circa 1975
37,5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€44,500-89,100
$50,400-101,000

Sold for CHF87,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019