Rolex

michael e
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A real polar explorer's explorer.

This is a watch I have had some time, it has been great reading and finding out about the 1969 polar expedition and about the relationship between good friends Allan Gill and Sir Wally Herbert. After much searching I have still not been able to find out if this watch went to the North pole in 1969 or not, I have sent emails to Sir Wally's daughter Kari who said she would answer fully when she had the time, tantalising as this was and after a couple more emails I did not hear back from Kari. Feeling like a bit of a stalker I have decided not to contact Kari again ;-).
I nearly sold the watch this year but came to my senses and decided I would hold on to it.
I have spoken to Allan Gill's sister who believes the watch was presented to Allan by his close friend Sir Wally Herbert, the Rolex paperwork puts the watch in the possession of Sir Wally Herbert and tells me he asked for this watch to be engraved with the words on the case back. I would love to know if this was actually a expedition watch, not a single thing tells me it wasn't.
Allan was one of the expedition of four men who in 1969 undisputedly walked to the North pole, all but one of these men have now sadly passed, Dr Ken Hedges is I believe living in Canada, I would love to contact him but cannot find any resource to do so. I would love to hear if each member of the team received a watch like this. Rolex state 4 watches were used by the team but pictures of the expedition only show Sir Wally wearing a explorer, the watches worn by the rest of the team have remained elusive.
Any tips on further research would be greatly appreciated. It would be such a shame for the whole history of this watch not to be told as time goes by it will probably get harder and harder to find out.
Thanks Mike

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