Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1966 Reference No: 6239 Case No: 1'419'339, inside caseback stamped 339 Model Name: Cosmograph "Fuerza Aérea del Perú" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped 371, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Catalogue Essay
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Rolex received a number of orders for issued timepieces. These tool watches were often delivered to the military and displayed certain modified specifications. The Peruvian Air Force ordered a number of Daytona watches during this period for high ranking members of the military.
Having resided in a private collection for many years, this reference 6239 is one such special issued watch. The caseback is engraved "Fuerza Aérea del Perú". 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. Most importantly, the inside case back is stamped with the last three digits of the serial number, which was a military specification.
This timepiece is preserved in overall excellent condition with crisp finishes to the top of the lugs and overall robust proportions.
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.