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What reference is the watch Sir Edmund Hillary wore on Everest?

SpeedyPhill
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33 mm Smiths DELUXE was first... Early Rolex 6098 version worn TO the top of Everest, not ON the top of Everest.
A photo I took 2 days ago in the Science museum London ( Smiths & Smiths Industries wrist watches ).
(Photo: MoonwatchUniverse)
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Everest_MoonwatchUniverse.jpg
 
Revo
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SpeedyPhill SpeedyPhill
33 mm Smiths DELUXE was first... Early Rolex 6098 version worn TO the top of Everest, not ON the top of Everest.
A photo I took 2 days ago in the Science museum London ( Smiths & Smiths Industries wrist watches ).
(Photo: MoonwatchUniverse)
.

what’s the difference between “to the top” and “on the top”? Hillary said he left his Rolex at base camp that’s a long way from the top. Smiths was worn to AND on the top.
 
cvalue13
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what’s the difference between “to the top” and “on the top”? Hillary said he left his Rolex at base camp that’s a long way from the top. Smiths was worn to AND on the top.

If here in Austin i step out my front door and take 10 paces north, I’m on my way TO Dallas?

I’d have to take more steps to be ON Dallas
 
Revo
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cvalue13 cvalue13
If here in Austin i step out my front door and take 10 paces north, I’m on my way TO Dallas?

I’d have to take more steps to be ON Dallas

On Dallas? Really?
 
SpeedyPhill
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70 years ago... October 18, 1953
John Hunt, Edmund Hillary and other mountaineer team members returned to the Pen-Y-Gwryd hotel in Wales where they had trained for the 1953 Everest expedition. Team members returned to Pen-Y-Gwryd in 1963 & 1973...
(Photos: MoonwatchUniverse)
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Everest-1953-00.jpg Everest-1953-01.jpg Everest-1953-02.jpg Everest-1953-03.jpg
 
SpeedyPhill
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100 years ago... " Because it is there ! "
March 17, 1924 British mountaineer/teacher George Mallory visited the famous "Explorers club" in New York.
Asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, he answered swiftly:
" Because it is there ! "
June 8, 1924, British mountaineers George Mallory & Andrew Irvine perished during the British third attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest via the North Col... George Mallory's body was found in May 1999.
An interesting wrist watch in this early 1920s portrait of George Mallory (1889-1924)
(photos: RGS/MoonwatchUniverse)
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1924_GeorgeMallory-EVEREST.jpg 1924_Mallory-EVEREST.jpg 1924_Mallory-EVEREST-.jpg
 
Revo
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A while back perezcope was on instagram promising a big "reveal" as to the watch that Norgay wore to the summit in '53.

Alas, it came to naught: predictably, it seems Norgay's sons aren't talking. They certainly don't seem willing to confirm what watch was worn on the summit. Why? Well, imho, money. Lots and lots of lovely Rolex money.

When I put that to perezcope he said: "I think you’re right but sooner or later the truth will be revealed. Problem with the watch I was shown is I cannot assert to 100% that it’s indeed the watch we see in the pictures. It could be but without confirmation from the owner, Norgay’s son, it would only lead to further and unnecessary confusion. I hope you understand."

Oh, I understand all right!

Anyway, a bit disappointing (and embarrassing) for the usually excellent perezcope. He's almost always on the money with his research and reveals; looks like this time the money is on him, sitting tight and shutting down his sources. Interesting, though, that Norgay's son owns the watch in question. Makes his silence all the more . . . interesting.

Good thread on this whole topic at tz-uk here: https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread....n-the-summit-of-Everest-in-53-The-proof/page7

PS I notice Stahl has gone quiet on this subject ;-)
 
Revo
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I got myself a copy of the three "smoking gun" issues of the Horological Journal with the all-important letters from Smiths, Rolex, and Hillary which confirm unequivocally that Smiths was (and Rolex wasn't) on the summit that day.

I also found these little extras:

VuNTQKt.webp


The dinner at the Savoy is mentioned in the post above. Here's a signed menu:

ycs23Dpm.webp l9PlvWjm.webp


And bonus one for all of you who doubt the provenance of the watch in the Science Museum, or for those of us who have made the pilgrimage to see it:

inteNAv.webp
 
Revo
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spacemission spacemission
Rolex, the king of marketing 🫰
Sure, if misleading people (and lying: the Oyster was not the first waterproof wristwatch case) makes you "king".

In my book it makes them untrustworthy.
 
spacemission
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Sure, if misleading people (and lying: the Oyster was not the first waterproof wristwatch case) makes you "king".

In my book it makes them untrustworthy.
In general, it is a pity that brands don't pay more attention to people who want to improve their products and correct gross errors.
 
Revo
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spacemission spacemission
In general, it is a pity that brands don't pay more attention to people who want to improve their products and correct gross errors.
Sometimes gross errors contribute to net profits.
 
spacemission
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Sometimes gross errors contribute to net profits.
The cpo programme is a real disaster but it leaves benefits.
 
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