Rolex

The Peruvian Air Force - or Fuerza Aerea del Perú - had its roots in a flying corps that first took to the air in 1911. The air force proper was formally established in July 1950.

 

In the 1950s the FAP was modernized to the jet age with the arrival of the English Electric Canberra bombers and the Hawker Hunter , Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star and North American F-86 Sabre fighters. The service underwent a period of considerable expansion throughout the 1970s and early 1980s which included the acquisition of French-made Dassault Mirage 5P and 5DP , U.S. made Cessna A-37B Dragonfly attack aircraft, Lockheed C-130 and L-100-20 Hercules transport aircraft, and the introduction of an important number of Soviet -made aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-22 bombers and Antonov An-26 and An-32 transport aircraft, as well as Mil Mi-8 , Mi-17 and Mi-25 helicopters

 

 

 

As could be expected, and in common with many military establishments worldwide, the Fuerza ordered various instruments from commercial manufacturers, wristwatches included. At first Omega watch company were contracted, but then after about 1962, it was Rolex who supplied wrist chronographs (from ref 6238 to ref. 6263) and other timepieces such as Submariner Date ref. 1680, GMT-Master ref. 1675 and the Turn-o-graph ref. 1625.

   

The colaboration between Rolex and the FAP is believed to have been due to the close friendship between the official Rolex dealer of Lima, and the late Heineger, Head of Rolex South America (& father of Patrick Heineger General Director of Rolex SA).

 

It is believed that 700-800 Rolex watches have been delivered to the FAP.

 

The Rolex watches delivered to the FAP have certain common features. The dials are regular production dials - Dials from 6239 to 6263/5 usually without the word daytona - but the caseback has specific engravings: the 1960’s watches have the final three digits serial number of the watch case duplicated inside the case-back, wheres it is the whole serial number in the 1970/80’s.

 

The back of the watches bear the inscription “Fuerza Aerea del Perú” in a Roman sans-serif face, and filled with black enamel. In many cases, this black filling has disappeared over time, leaving only the engraved portion visible, or even polished and rubbed away. An additional engraving is present on the outside of the case-back, a unique military identifier, or ‘issue number’, and would correspond to the records kept by the Air-Force. The engraving of this number is very thin and it has disappeared with time in most cases.

 

It is also very important to note that every model was delivered to the FAP in a batch of very close serial numbers.

 

First here’s my pre Daytona Chronograph ref. 6238 circa 1965. It is remarkable that my watch came out of the FAP with a tachymetric steel bezel. This 6239 bezel was probably fitted in the late 1960’s, as it is easier to read than the scale printed on the dial. In any case, it gives the watch an unusual “6239 albino” look that I find quite attractive and really special !! But of course, the watch does not look bad either with the “correct” smooth bezel…

 

 

 

Here’s a late 1960’s GMT Master ref. 1675 with all the features that I have mentioned:

 

(Photos : E. Ku)

 

An early 1970’s Submariner ref. 1680 with the full serial number engraved inside the caseback:

 

 

 

(Photos : A. Shear)

 

A mid 1970’s Cosmograph without the word « Daytona » on the dial. The issue number is still present on the outside caseback:

 

 

 

(Photos: E. Ku)

 

The Rolex delivered to the F.A.P are fascinating watches that are very sought after by collectors; to me, they are amongst the most interesting military Rolex watches

 

This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2012-11-05 07:02:57 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2012-11-06 05:23:54 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2012-11-06 05:44:55 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2012-11-12 00:10:29

.....on this very desirable Rolex feature. I have to say, I don't own an FAP but have come close a few times. A great feature to a watch....I think your report is fascinating

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report! This message has been edited by eparisini on 2012-11-05 08:48:13

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Really interesting report. Mike Wood had a 1625 FAP for sale last year (picture is in his sold archive) and I was sooooo tempted by it. Wish I had now...

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.......this 1625 used to be on my wrist ........... too bad it's not mine anymore. 

I haven't seen one of those before

my Friend!!!

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To not make it a racing chrono?

... the word "Daytona" appears around 1965

@Jeff: thanks

Clearly an Air Force with good taste in watches!!! LOL!

 

Seriously though, very intersting post, and a superb collection of FAP watches. Very interesting read.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Cheers Tony

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... and nice read with great photos. Also to thank to the FAP watch owners who showed their timepieces.
I find these FAP and Serpico & Laino marked Rolex, as the most desirable variations a collector can get for his collection.

Your 6238 is so beautiful indeed! It looks so classic with the original plain bezel and the simple leather straps!

Thank you for this thread and receive my best cordial regards, Abel.

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I have always wondered was this more of a gift to senior military members or did they really use these watches in the field.  If they saw action you would assume that mosyt would have been destroyed.

Just wondering about your thoughts on the FAP as well as military Rolex in general.

Thanks

Bill

but Italian assigned watches, as Zenith Cairelli (here's mine)

Discrete without external signs of their military origins, but a strong history.

I would love to fall on a 1675 FAP!

Superb post, Mr Strong.

Best, and thank you.

I'm in love with mine 6263, but I could fall in love with a Red written 1680!

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Thanks for sharing.

I guess the military connection is there once again with the red hand.

It seems most only saw it with the MKII dial short E.  But I have seen both.

Sorry I came late to the post on that subject. I did not pay attention last time to that point.

Best

Bill

Cheers,