Los Angeles-based trader WatchGuys has unearthed a piece of Rolex history in the form of a Submariner given to a Peruvian fighter pilot following the war between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
Robertino Altieri, founder of WatchGuys, the story of this watch begins in the early 1980s during the Falklands Conflict.
A small group from Peru’s armed forces were awarded with Red Submariner 1680 watches for their roles in the conflict. This particular watch was owned by a pilot who flew one of Peru’s Mirage jets, advanced military aircraft at the time, although Peru denies its military were actively involved in any fighting.
“Peru was the only country with Mirage jets,” explained Altieri’s customer.
While only a few pilots flew these jets during the conflict, it’s believed that around 150 soldiers in total were gifted these military-issued Submariners, each bearing unique FAP caseback stampings.
The fact that this watch was specifically tied to one of the pilots who flew the Mirage jets adds a layer of historical significance, making it an incredibly rare and valuable piece.
Red Rolex Submariner 1680
What makes this Red Submariner 1680 even more remarkable is its rarity. The Red Submariner is already a highly sought-after model because of its distinctive red text on the dial, which was only produced for a limited time.
“A Red Submariner is rare, but one with military stampings is even rarer,” Mr Altieri explains. “These military-issued models, especially ones marked by the Peruvian Air Force, command a premium in the vintage watch market due to their unique provenance.”
The closed steel case back of the watch is stamped with “Fuerza Aerea Del Peru” (Peruvian Airforce).
The watch’s condition further adds to its value. “Condition is everything with vintage watches and this Submariner has with all original parts, which greatly enhances its value,” Mr Altieri suggests.
WatchGuys has almost 50 Rolex Submariners for sale right now, but Mr Altieri considers the military-issued 1680 more of an auction piece. “As far as how much this watch is worth, it really all depends on how much someone is willing to pay. But this one is staying in my safe for years to come,” he says.