A stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer watch, circa 1959 will be going under the hammer in October at Birmingham based auctioneers Fellows & Sons. 

The Rolex Explorer is one of the most easily recognizable of all Rolex watches.  The origins of this masterpiece are in its name. It was designed for explorers, so it had a high visibility dial, an extra strong case, and upon request it could be lubricated with a special oil so it could withstand temperatures between -20C and +40C without changes in viscosity.

It was widely acclaimed that this watch had been designed and made in honour of Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay who were the first men to reach the summit of Everest on May 29 1953. However, evidence suggests that this watch was indeed used on previous expeditions as Rolex registered the name in 1953.

This Oyster Perpetual Explorer model ‘5504’ has a tonneau shaped case fitted to an associated brown leather strap, a movement calibre of 1530 numbered 61435.

This Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer watch has been valued at £2,000 – £3,000 and will feature in the Wrist & Pocket Watch auction to be held on 19 October at Fellows & Sons’ auction rooms in Augusta Street, Birmingham.

The auction contains over 400 lots and all items can be viewed on the website at www.fellows.co.uk.  For more information please contact Mary Long on 0121 212 5500 or email mary@fellows.co.uk