Sir Ed's Rolex collection up for grabs

Sir Edmund Hillary in 2006. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Sir Edmund Hillary's widow, Lady June Hillary, is selling the Rolex watch the famous mountaineer was given after his successful ascent of Mt Everest in 1953.

The watch is one in a number from Sir Ed's collection going up for auction next month, reports UK paper the Telegraph.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual was given to the Kiwi explorer by Rolex retailer Bosecks in Calcutta, says the paper.

Sir Ed, who died in 2008, wore the watch on his Antarctic expedition of 1955-1958 - the first overland crossing of Antarctica and the first expedition to reach the South Pole since Scott in 1912.

It is inscribed "To Sir E. Hillary From Bosecks Calcutta" and despite its damaged visage is valued at over £12,000 (NZ$25,000), says the Telegraph.

The watch was the forerunner to Rolex's Explorer watches, which the company was inspired to make following Sir Edmund's feat.

He later became the face of Rolex and was used to promote the watches.

Also part of the collection is the Explorer II, bought by Sir Ed to mark the 20th anniversary of his Everest ascent. Made in 1973, it is also valued at £12,000, says the Telegraph.

According to the "fine living" website Luxist, also part of the collection is a gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date. It was purchased by the explorer on the 50th Anniversary of the day he reached the summit of Everest and is estimated to be worth around $NZ13,000.

"These exceptional timepieces have been consigned for sale by Lady Hillary and all had special significance for Sir Edmund," says the website.

The collection goes under the hammer on November 13 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland.

- NZ HERALD STAFF