First watch on the summit of Mount Everest

[spoilsofwar01]

Was Rolex the first watch on the summit of Mount Everest?


Today I was corrected, and advise that it was a Smiths watch, so I ask is there an exact account of the First watch on the summit?

[tyler1980]

best i have found is that watch was given to him in 1952 after the previous expedition to Everest. In 1953 he was not an "official" member of the team and was not issued a Rolex. Therefore he was probably actually wearing that one. The Rolex watches issued to the expedition team were all returned to Rolex afterwards. Norgay's was not issued to him for that expedition so he kept it.

Rumour has it that Hillarys Rolex( an OP) was left at the last camp and he actually summited with the Smiths watch.

Hopefully someone else has more info as it is very interesting.

[spoilsofwar01]

its an interesting story with many interpretations of what's factually correct, ...... I continue to learn

[waspy1]

The accounts I’ve read are vague. It seems that a smiths watch made it to the summit but it’s not clear if was worn or carried. Rolex pre explorers were also used on the expedition however it’s not clear if these summitted.


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[toxicavenger]

Smiths

[dbfagan]

I read somewhere that Hillary wore a Smiths and brought a Rolex. Hodinkee says he wore a Rolex and brought a Smiths. Apparently both manufacturers wanted to know how their watches would perform in extreme environments.

Here is the most informative article I have read, it also has links to the Hodinkee article:

http://bezelandbarrel.com/the-truth-...nd-mt-everest/

Thanks,
David

[spoilsofwar01]

Originally Posted by dbfagan

I read somewhere that Hillary wore a Smiths and brought a Rolex. Hodinkee says he wore a Rolex and brought a Smiths. Apparently both manufacturers wanted to know how their watches would perform in extreme environments.

Here is the most informative article I have read, it also has links to the Hodinkee article:

http://bezelandbarrel.com/the-truth-...nd-mt-everest/

Thanks,
David

Thanks for this David, theres so much information out there and it all gets a bit confusing.... Norgay's son still has his fathers Rolex and states that it was worn by his father During the 1953 expedition and also on the summit of Mount Everest..... this is good enough for me.

[Mike Wood]

Rolex. By George Mallory.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

Rolex. By George Mallory.

If that’s the case someone knicked it between 1924 and 1999! Bastids!

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by GB-man

If that’s the case someone knicked it between 1924 and 1999! Bastids!

How would they steal it between then, when Everest wasn't summited until 53?

[77T]

I think the incontrovertible answer will remain as obscured by the clouds of time as the peak is often obscured by its own clouds.

As many here know from reading various stories and accounts, two brands have parried as being the first. Yet Explorers - especially the experienced ones - often carry a spare of key instruments. My guess is this applied to watches in 1953.

My SWAG is there was a watch on each wrist just as a safety precaution. Both Rolex & Smith brands were respected - but in this extreme climate it is likely both brands summited simultaneously.

We live in such a tribal watch world that lovers of a brand look for every opportunity to trumpet theirs the most.


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[GB-man]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

How would they steal it between then, when Everest wasn't summited until 53?

George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted a summit in 1924. They were both killed. Some speculate they reached the summit but by enlarge most experts agree they likely did not reach the summit, possibly having to turn back after running out of oxygen on the second step to the summit.

Mallory’s body was recovered in 1999. Of the listed artifacts on his person a Rolex there was not unless I’m mistaken. He had some goggles, receipts etc.

[toxicavenger]

Originally Posted by 77T

We live in such a tribal watch world that lovers of a brand look for every opportunity to trumpet theirs the most.


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Agreed, he probably actually had a Timex on and the Smiths/Rolex in his pocket.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 77T

I think the incontrovertible answer will remain as obscured by the clouds of time as the peak is often obscured by its own clouds.

As many here know from reading various stories and accounts, two brands have parried as being the first. Yet Explorers - especially the experienced ones - often carry a spare of key instruments. My guess is this applied to watches in 1953.

My SWAG is there was a watch on each wrist just as a safety precaution. Both Rolex & Smith brands were respected - but in this extreme climate it is likely both brands summited simultaneously.

We live in such a tribal watch world that lovers of a brand look for every opportunity to trumpet theirs the most.


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that sums it up beautifully.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by GB-man

George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted a summit in 1924. They were both killed. Some speculate they reached the summit but by enlarge most experts agree they likely did not reach the summit, possibly having to turn back after running out of oxygen on the second step to the summit.

Mallory’s body was recovered in 1999. Of the listed artifacts on his person a Rolex there was not unless I’m mistaken. He had some goggles, receipts etc.

Even if he did make it to the top, the fact he didn't get down means it doesnt count. If Neil Armstrong didn't get off the moon it wouldn't have been such a major accomplishment. Most accidents happen on the decent anyway so its the hardest part, arguably.

[Submarinerman1971]

Originally Posted by spoilsofwar01

Was Rolex the first watch on the summit of Mount Everest?


Today I was corrected, and advise that it was a Smiths watch, so I ask is there an exact account of the First watch on the summit?

Everything I read suggest Hillary wore a Smith's and Tenzing wore a rolex. The watch pictured above was from the Swiss expedition and not the English one that submitted in 1953.

[Mike Wood]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Mallory’s body was recovered in 1999. Of the listed artifacts on his person a Rolex there was not unless I’m mistaken. He had some goggles, receipts etc.

I had read something to the contrary, and that a silver Rolex "officer's" watch was on his wrist...

[Deaf Stan]

Resurrecting this ol' thread as it's something I'm interested in.

I'm a fan of vintage Rolexes and Smiths; I own and wear both.

So I've followed (and contributed to the) the debate as to whether one or other or both were the first to the summit of Everest.

Some threads:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vint...or-t17051.html

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vint...am-t17040.html

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vint...on-t16942.html

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vint...nt-t23723.html

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vint...t-t250648.html

And from elsewhere:

https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...-on-Mt-Everest

https://www.mwrforum.net/forums/show...miths-and-mine

There are others, too.

And tempers runs pretty high in some of the posts.

From everything I've read it seems that Hillary wore only one watch to the top that was a Smiths De Luxe (15 jewel manual wind in a Dennison Aquatite case).

Norgay *may* have worn a Rolex but that's less certain.

Mallory's watch was a Borgel by the way.

[waspy1]

I haven’t read the other threads but from memory there was a mention that the smiths was ‘carried’. Perhaps not worn on the summit though.


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[Deaf Stan]

Originally Posted by waspy1

I haven’t read the other threads but from memory there was a mention that the smiths was ‘carried’. Perhaps not worn on the summit though.


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Yes, Sir Ed used the odd verb "carried" but the sentence “I carried your watch to the summit.”

Which is more more than he ever for or about Rolex.

Smiths is the only watch he claimed to have taken to the top that day.

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by Deaf Stan

Yes, Sir Ed used the odd verb "carried" but the sentence “I carried your watch to the summit.”



Which is more more than he ever for or about Rolex.



Smiths is the only watch he claimed to have taken to the top that day.

Yes, that’s what I recalled


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[77T]

Didn’t Alpinists regularly carry a watch on their wrist + a spare in a pocket?

I agree with the quote, “I carried your watch...” - but that doesn’t mean he only carried that watch.


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[Deaf Stan]

Originally Posted by 77T

Didn’t Alpinists regularly carry a watch on their wrist + a spare in a pocket?

I agree with the quote, “I carried your watch...” - but that doesn’t mean he only carried that watch.


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From the original papers supplied in the box of a Smiths A409 purchased in Feb 1954

[Deaf Stan]

Seems there was a bit of an issue in the weeks following the ascent.

Was Rolex first to the top? Or Smiths? Or both? Or neither?

Statements, claims, adverts, PR.

To settle the matter team members were interviewed!

From the letters page of the British Horological Journal from October '53 (p651).

Images copyright of the AHS and BHI

[Deaf Stan]

PS I believe Mr Winter is wrong in at least one respect: Rolex did not issue watches to all the members of the Hunt party, but seemingly only to those who hadn't already had one for the Cho Oyu expedition the previous year (which included Hillary).

[waspy1]

Another good excuse to post my 6610 near Everest base camp....



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[Pete17]

Both were worn by members of the expedition.
No one knows for sure which one was worn by Hillary.
Rolex have always been careful not to state that Hillary wore one for certain.
They always refer to the expedition and not an individual.


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[Deaf Stan]

Originally Posted by Pete17

Both were worn by members of the expedition.
No one knows for sure which one was worn by Hillary.
Rolex have always been careful not to state that Hillary wore one for certain.
They always refer to the expedition and not an individual.


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So the Science Museum in London, displaying a watch given to it by Sir Ed is wrong then?

[/QUOTE]



I get that this a Rolex forum but let's not be partisan or biased

Yes, hardly surprising that "Rolex have always been careful not to state that Hillary wore one for certain. They always refer to the expedition and not an individual."

Smiths, on the other hand, have claimed the Hillary wore one of their to the top -- and quoted Sir Ed directly.

[Pete17]

Read my post again.
Rolex never made any conclusive claim.

If Hillary has stated he wore a Smith’s to the top I stand corrected.
I have not seen it.



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[Deaf Stan]

Originally Posted by Pete17

Read my post again.
Rolex never made any conclusive claim.

Yes, you are right.

Originally Posted by Pete17

If Hillary has stated he wore a Smith’s to the top I stand corrected.
I have not seen it.

You haven't see post #23 on this thread? ("I carried your watch to the summit. It worked perfectly")

Scroll up ;-)