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Lot Essay
With Rolex seal.
The present Oyster Cosmograph reference 6263 carries the number 4'017'236 between both the lower lugs and on the inside of the case back, which is correct for military issue watches such as those made for the Peruvian Armed Forces. Merged from the aviation divisions of the Peruvian Army and Navy, the Fuerza Aérea del Perú came into existence in 1950. In very well preserved overall condition, the watch sports the crisp engraving for the aviation branch and sharp milling on the back. Very few watches that were made for the Peruvian military have come up at auction. It is thus not every day the avid collector will have the opportunity to own such a fine piece. Moreover, what may excite a collector further and prove the overall original condition of the watch is the existence of the military number 343 engraved finely on the edge of the case back, just opposite the Fuerza Aérea del Perú marking. This is a clear sign that the watch was never subject to polishing as this light engraving is easily lost after the first polishing.
Fuerza Aérea del Perú
Rolex has in the past made watches on special order for the military, for example the British Armed Forces, but also for divers' organisations, including COMEX. Such watches are rare and highly collectible due to their specific association. While it is known that Rolex made watches for the British military, it is less well-known that a small series of watches was also supplied to other forces such as the Fuerza Aérea del Perú.
It is thought that as of the early 1960s, the Peruvian Air Force commissioned Rolex with the supply of watches for their personnel, mainly different Cosmograph Daytona models but also references 6238, the celebrated Pre-Daytona, and 1680, the Submariner with date, which were issued to the superior officers. The case backs were engraved with the inscription Fuerza Aérea del Perú Fuerza to the outside, the serial number was repeated on the inside.
Reference 6263 was introduced to the market in 1971. Different versions of the model are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 328-335.
The present Oyster Cosmograph reference 6263 carries the number 4'017'236 between both the lower lugs and on the inside of the case back, which is correct for military issue watches such as those made for the Peruvian Armed Forces. Merged from the aviation divisions of the Peruvian Army and Navy, the Fuerza Aérea del Perú came into existence in 1950. In very well preserved overall condition, the watch sports the crisp engraving for the aviation branch and sharp milling on the back. Very few watches that were made for the Peruvian military have come up at auction. It is thus not every day the avid collector will have the opportunity to own such a fine piece. Moreover, what may excite a collector further and prove the overall original condition of the watch is the existence of the military number 343 engraved finely on the edge of the case back, just opposite the Fuerza Aérea del Perú marking. This is a clear sign that the watch was never subject to polishing as this light engraving is easily lost after the first polishing.
Fuerza Aérea del Perú
Rolex has in the past made watches on special order for the military, for example the British Armed Forces, but also for divers' organisations, including COMEX. Such watches are rare and highly collectible due to their specific association. While it is known that Rolex made watches for the British military, it is less well-known that a small series of watches was also supplied to other forces such as the Fuerza Aérea del Perú.
It is thought that as of the early 1960s, the Peruvian Air Force commissioned Rolex with the supply of watches for their personnel, mainly different Cosmograph Daytona models but also references 6238, the celebrated Pre-Daytona, and 1680, the Submariner with date, which were issued to the superior officers. The case backs were engraved with the inscription Fuerza Aérea del Perú Fuerza to the outside, the serial number was repeated on the inside.
Reference 6263 was introduced to the market in 1971. Different versions of the model are described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 328-335.