Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1966 Reference No: 6239 Movement No: 7506 Case No: 1’463’423, inside caseback stamped “423” Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona, "Fuerza Aérea del Perú" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 72B, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Jubilee bracelet, endlinks stamped “74”, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Vintage Rolexes with a military provenance are often considered one of the most desired categories in the art of watch collecting. The Swiss manufacturer is known to have worked with some of the highest echelons of armed forces all over the world, including the English Royal Navy and the Italian Police. Throughout the 1960s to the 1970s, they were commissioned by the Peruvian Air Force to make military-grade tool watches for the high-ranking officers in command.
The ref. 6239 was the first Rolex chronograph wristwatch to feature the “Cosmograph Daytona” signature officially. First launched in 1963, this reference enjoyed a successful 6-year production before giving way to its successor, the ref. 6262. Considering the present FAP Daytona was designed to be worn daily under extreme conditions, it is surprisingly well-preserved. This remarkable collectable bears a stunning silvered panda dial with a sunburst-finished canvas and contrasting sunken chronograph counters in black. In correspondence to the ref. 6239s produced at the time, this example is fitted with iconic MK I round pump-pushers and a metallic MK II bezel, further driven by the Valjoux-based cal. 72B.
Well-preserved examples of such Rolexes built for the Fuerza Aerea Del Perú (FAP) do not appear on the market often. Exceedingly rare, most of these heavy hitters have either undergone undue refurbishments or simply gone missing in action. No doubt, the most distinguishing trait of an FAP wristwatch is the designation engraved on each case back. But according to Pucci Papaleo, seasoned collector and master scholar, another defining characteristic of a Peruvian Air Force commission would be the serial number, all or part of it, inscribed inside the case back, as per the present lot ref. 6239 from circa 1966. On the case back of later examples produced in the 1970s, one should also be able to find the last three digits of each case number faintly marked adjacent to the "Fuerza Aerea Del Perú” debossing.
While it is an incredibly rare opportunity to handle such a distinguished timepiece, it's even more extraordinary to have the chance to acquire one.
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.