The newly discovered Be/X-ray binary in the Small Magellanic Cloud, SXP 1062,
provides the first example of a robust association with a supernova remnant
(SNR). The short age estimated for the SNR qualifies SXP 1062 as the youngest
known source in its class, tau ~ 1e4 yr. As such, it allows to test current
models of magneto-rotational evolution of neutron stars ina still unexplored
regime. Here we discuss possible evolutionary scenarios for SXP 1062 in the
attempt to reconcile its long spin period, P=1062 s, and short age. Although
several options can be considered, like an anomalously long initial period or
the presence of a fossil disc, our results indicate that SXP 1062 may host a
neutron star born with a large initial magnetic field, typically in excess of ~
1e14 G, which then decayed to ~ 1e13 G.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, modified to incorporate referee's points, accepted
for publication in MNRA
