Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 1973 Reference No: 6265 Case No: 3'952'331 Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph, Fuerza Aérea del Perú Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel clasp Dimensions: 37 mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1969, references 6263 and 6265 replaced the first Oyster Cosmograph model 6240. The current example is considered a second generation 6265, as its serial number falls within the range of 3 million and roughly 4.3 million.
It has been asserted that since as early as 1960, the Peruvian Air Force commissioned Rolex with a supply of watches for their high-ranking officials and personnel. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona models given to them were delivered with engravings on the outside of their casebacks reading "Fuerza Aérea del Perú". Unlike the consumer versions of these watches, those designed for the Peruvian Air Force not only had the serial number engraved in-between the lugs at 12 o’clock, but also inside the caseback along with the reference number – consistent with other “issued” Rolex watches of the era.
This 6265 comes correctly equipped with the newer-style steel pushers, often referred to by collectors as Mark II, with ridges that are more triangular and wider than its predecessor. As we can assume these watches were used and worn often by the recipients in military environments, the present example is preserved in overall excellent condition, making it a worthy example for the discerning Daytona collector.
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.