Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1975
    Reference No: 6263
    Case No: 3'999'748 inside caseback stamped with repeated case number 3'999'748, caseback exterior stamped 349
    Model Name: "Fuerza Aérea del Perú Military Oyster Cosmograph With Chocolate Subsidiary Registers"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 7835 19, end links stamped 571, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding clasp
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: This exact timepiece is illustrated in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, pp. 388-391.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Today we may think that the pilots of the Peruvian Airforce were quite lucky to have been granted one of the most popular and coveted chronographs on the market but we tend to forget that Rolex’s Oyster Cosmograph is a “tool”watch, and one so reliable that the military felt it could entrust the lives of its pilots with it.

    Rolex produced watches with “Fuerza Aérea del Perú” engraved on the case back for the Peruvian Air Force. Like other “issued’ Rolex watches, the case serial number was engraved both between the lugs, and inside case back.

    In truly wonderful condition, the subdials have turned a striking dark chocolate “tropical” brown. The FAP engraving on the caseback is nice and crisp and the issue number 349 is still clearly visible.

    The Daytona reference 6263 is a sought after sports watch and this military-issued example is sure to please the discerning connoisseur both for its condition and rarity.

  • 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 dark chocolate "tropical" brown registers and bracelet, made for the Peruvian Air Force

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

Estimate
CHF80,000 - 160,000 
€68,600-137,000
$84,700-169,000

Sold for CHF118,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018