Overview
This is the definitive 'tool watch,' a masterclass in minimalist horology designed for extreme legibility and ruggedness.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer, Ref. 114270
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
In May 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest, and while the exact watch on the summit is a point of historical debate, Rolex had supplied the expedition with prototypes that birthed this very line.
Maker / Origin
Hans Wilsdorf founded Rolex with the radical idea that a wristwatch could be as accurate as a marine chronometer while surviving dust, water, and shock.
Condition & Value
The watch shows honest signs of wear with light surface 'desk diving' scratches on the bezel and lugs, which is preferred by collectors over a heavily polished case. Value for the 114270 has surged as collectors return to the classic 36mm size.
Research
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This could merit a closer professional appraisal if condition, maker, or provenance points turn out to be stronger than the quick read suggests.