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TARDIS · 30 January 2008, 05:16 PM

The Rolex Explorer was the first wrist watch to reach the summit of Everest. An altitude of 8848m (29,028ft) on 29 May 1953 courtesy of the late Sir E. Hillary and Sherpa Tensing.

With the recent passing of Sir Edmund Hillary, perhaps it would be fitting for Rolex to make a commemorative model? Just something appropriate stated on the watch dial or a limited number, say 8848?

What are your thoughts?

Cheers
Steve

scottschoe · 30 January 2008, 05:18 PM

Rolex and limited number do not go hand in hand these days :)

TARDIS · 30 January 2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Rolex and limited number do not go hand in hand these days :)

So that's it?

scottschoe · 30 January 2008, 05:28 PM

I don't think Rolex needs to put out another commemorative model.

Incurable · 30 January 2008, 05:32 PM

I think it would be a nice gesture. I'm a fan of acoustic guitars (Martin in particular) and they make limited runs of 'commemorative' models all the time. There's a lot of interest in older models of yesteryear and they command a premium price for them. In the case of Rolex, it would be very uncharacteristic of them to do something like that. IMO, they are missing a significant opportunity by not. A limited re-issue of the 1953 Explorer would probably be a hot item.

Jedi · 30 January 2008, 05:34 PM

Rolex are not known for limited edition models, in fact I cannot think of one, that are released for public sale.

Things like the COMEX Subs and SDs and Omani-crested watches were all made to specific requirements by a customer who guaranteed complete purchases of the entire production run.

TARDIS · 30 January 2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottschoe

I don't think Rolex needs to put out another commemorative model.

They have 'commemoratives' (unlimited) for the Submariner and the GMT based on 50 year anniversaries, these being sought after by collectors. A commemorative for the Explorer as I described would I think also be very popular.

Cheers
Steve

BiG JeEzY · 30 January 2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TARDIS

They have 'commemoratives' (unlimited) for the Submariner and the GMT based on 50 year anniversaries, these being sought after by collectors. A commemorative for the Explorer as I described would I think also be very popular.

Cheers
Steve

I completely agree with you Steve. If Rolex did come out with an anniversary edition for the Explorer, it would definitely be very popular. Even though the Explorer II's 50th anniversary is still quite a ways off, still more than 10 years down the road, I would love to see the anniversary model come out with the large orange hand. The same orange hand seen on the 1655 model.

It would be nice to also see a commemorative Explorer released to honor the life of Sir Edmund Hillary and celebrate him and Tenzing Norgay reaching summit on Mt. Everest over 50 years ago. I'll keep my hopes up that Rolex will release a limited edition Explorer!

Cheers,
Jerome

TARDIS · 30 January 2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiG JeEzY

I completely agree with you Steve. If Rolex did come out with an anniversary edition for the Explorer, it would definitely be very popular. Even though the Explorer II's 50th anniversary is still quite a ways off, still more than 10 years down the road, I would love to see the anniversary model come out with the large orange hand. The same orange hand seen on the 1655 model.

It would be nice to also see a commemorative Explorer released to honor the life of Sir Edmund Hillary and celebrate him and Tenzing Norgay reaching summit on Mt. Everest over 50 years ago. I'll keep my hopes up that Rolex will release a limited edition Explorer!

Cheers,
Jerome

I was beginning to think I was alone on this one Jerome

BiG JeEzY · 30 January 2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TARDIS

I was beginning to think I was alone on this one Jerome

No worries Steve, you're not alone. I'm sure many more members in this forum and watch enthusiasts around the world share the same thoughts. At least, now you know you're not the only one who likes to see a commemorative Explorer.

Gerry · 30 January 2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incurable

A limited re-issue of the 1953 Explorer would probably be a hot item.

That sounds more like something Gibson would do

Incurable · 30 January 2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry

That sounds more like something Gibson would do

Hahaha, now that you mention it...

erasuretim · 30 January 2008, 06:11 PM

I believe that Hilary wore a Smiths Deluxe watch to the summit. Tensing wore his own steel bubbleback. Rolex supplied watches to some of the expedition and had a better publicity machine than Smiths!!

Regards

Tim

scottschoe · 30 January 2008, 06:18 PM

I think Tenzing wore a Rolex, while Hilary wore a Smith.

SPACE-DWELLER · 30 January 2008, 06:19 PM

Would be cool if Rolex made such a model, Steve, but I don't think it will happen.

JostheBoss · 30 January 2008, 08:14 PM

I agree...would be very cool indeed! And I like yoyur idea of deliberately giving it the reference 8848. I'd certainly buy it!

Maybe this is an oppurtunity for someone to photoshop a conceptual idea?? Would be nice to see.

jac67 · 30 January 2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottschoe

I think Tenzing wore a Rolex, while Hilary wore a Smith.

Correct.

John.

f16570 · 31 January 2008, 03:19 AM

The sentiment is nice , but I doubt it will happen.

mestreaudi · 31 January 2008, 03:32 AM

It would be nice a commemorative Explorer.

30 January 2008, 05:16 PM	#1
TARDIS "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Real Name: Steve Location: Queensland, AUST Posts: 2,003	Commemorative Explorer? The Rolex Explorer was the first wrist watch to reach the summit of Everest. An altitude of 8848m (29,028ft) on 29 May 1953 courtesy of the late Sir E. Hillary and Sherpa Tensing. With the recent passing of Sir Edmund Hillary, perhaps it would be fitting for Rolex to make a commemorative model? Just something appropriate stated on the watch dial or a limited number, say 8848? What are your thoughts? Cheers Steve

30 January 2008, 05:18 PM	#2
scottschoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CA Posts: 3,295	Rolex and limited number do not go hand in hand these days :) __________________ __________________

30 January 2008, 05:28 PM	#4
scottschoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CA Posts: 3,295	I don't think Rolex needs to put out another commemorative model. __________________ __________________

30 January 2008, 05:32 PM	#5
Incurable "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Pat Location: PNW Watch: your P's and Q's Posts: 2,549	I think it would be a nice gesture. I'm a fan of acoustic guitars (Martin in particular) and they make limited runs of 'commemorative' models all the time. There's a lot of interest in older models of yesteryear and they command a premium price for them. In the case of Rolex, it would be very uncharacteristic of them to do something like that. IMO, they are missing a significant opportunity by not. A limited re-issue of the 1953 Explorer would probably be a hot item. __________________ Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy...

30 January 2008, 05:34 PM	#6
Jedi "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Lee Location: Malaysia Watch: 16750 Posts: 2,534	Rolex are not known for limited edition models, in fact I cannot think of one, that are released for public sale. Things like the COMEX Subs and SDs and Omani-crested watches were all made to specific requirements by a customer who guaranteed complete purchases of the entire production run. __________________ Lee This is my watch. There are many like it but this one is mine... Flickr Blog

30 January 2008, 06:11 PM	#13
erasuretim "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: cranfield, uk Watch: 14060m Posts: 251	I believe that Hilary wore a Smiths Deluxe watch to the summit. Tensing wore his own steel bubbleback. Rolex supplied watches to some of the expedition and had a better publicity machine than Smiths!! Regards Tim

30 January 2008, 06:18 PM	#14
scottschoe "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: CA Posts: 3,295	I think Tenzing wore a Rolex, while Hilary wore a Smith. __________________ __________________

30 January 2008, 06:19 PM	#15
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	Would be cool if Rolex made such a model, Steve, but I don't think it will happen. __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

30 January 2008, 08:14 PM	#16
JostheBoss "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Jos Location: South Africa Watch: SS GMT IIc Posts: 741	I agree...would be very cool indeed! And I like yoyur idea of deliberately giving it the reference 8848. I'd certainly buy it! Maybe this is an oppurtunity for someone to photoshop a conceptual idea?? Would be nice to see. __________________ Life isn't what it is...it's what it looks like

31 January 2008, 03:19 AM	#18
f16570 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: F Location: Scotland Watch: Exp II White Face Posts: 4,272	The sentiment is nice , but I doubt it will happen. __________________ Why have what's new when you have what's best. f

31 January 2008, 03:32 AM	#19
mestreaudi "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Rafael Location: Brazil Posts: 65	It would be nice a commemorative Explorer. __________________

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