Rolex

RJW
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Just saw this news article regarding Sir Edmund Hillary's Rolex...

I hope it is alright for me to post this story...


Sir Edmund Hillary's family have put his beloved Rolex watch collection up for auction - including the timepiece he was presented with following his conquest of Everest.

Calcutta retailer Bosecks gave the legendary New Zealand climber the "Oyster Perpetual" Rolex in 1953, inspiring the watchmaker to create its famous "Explorer" line.

Sir Edmund, who died in 2008, later became the face of the brand. Now his Rolex collection will go under the hammer at an auction in Geneva later this month, London's Daily Telegraph newspaper has reported. The Oyster Perpetual, engraved with "Sir E. Hillary", is expected to fetch more than US$20,000 because of its historical significance. Sir Edmund wore the watch on his Antarctic expedition (from 1955 to 1958) - the first overland crossing of Antarctica and the first to reach the South Pole since Scott in 1912.

Also part of the collection is a gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual purchased by Sir Edmund on the 50th Anniversary of the day he reached the summit of Everest, estimated to be worth US$10,000. A Rolex Explorer I, bought on the 20th anniversary of his failed 1972 attempt to climb the mountain Cho Oyu, and a 1973 Rolex Explorer II bought to mark the 20th anniversary of his Everest ascent will also be sold. All the watches for sale, said the watches had been "consigned for sale by Lady Hillary".


Regards, Richard.

Source: A New Zealand website This message has been edited by RJW on 2010-11-03 02:43:39