Timepiece Tuesday: Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Ernst Benz and Wooden Watches

Sir Edmund Hillary Rolex Watch Collection on the Block

Rolex watches belonging to the 20th century explorer Sir Edmund Hillary will be the feature items at Antiquorum's sale of Important Vintage and Modern Timepieces, being held November 13 – 14 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva. Sir Hillary is credited with being the first climber to reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1953. The timepieces have been consigned for sale by Lady Hillary and all had special significance for Sir Edmund, the timepiece auction house said in a statement.

The earliest model in the collection is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, ref. 6084 (pictured above), dating from 1953 which was presented to Sir Edmund by Rolex Bosecks of Calcutta, India, after his descent from Everest. Sir Hillary wore the watch during his Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1955-1958—the first overland crossing of Antarctica and the first expedition to reach the South Pole since Scott in 1912. The watch, with a caseback engraved "Sir E. Hillary", is estimated to fetch from $10,000 to $20,000.

Also part of the collection is a gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, ref. 15238, purchased by the explorer on the 50th Anniversary of the day he reached the summit of Everest, estimated at about $10,000; as well as a 1972 Rolex Explorer I and a 1973 Explorer II also owned by the adventurer.

Jaeger-LeCoultre's Updated iPhone App

The Jaeger-LeCoultre application has been available for download for the iPhone since October 2009. However, it now compatible with the iPad and has been updated to include the Swiss watch brand’s entire 2010 collection. Users can experience the technical characteristics of certain timepieces, read a glossary of watchmaking terms and test their knowledge and skills of watchmaking with a course over the smartphone, including a hand-fitting course where the user can test his or her dexterity and precision.

Ernst Benz Goes to Canada

Watch brand Ernst Benz celebrated the launch of its Canadian retail presence in Toronto in partnership with TimeZone and retail partner L’ORO Jewellery in mid-October. The two-day event began with the watch brand hosting a TimeZone get together at Liberty Bistro in the city’s developing Liberty Village area. Creative and Managing Director, Leonid Khankin along with Ernst Benz’sInternational Bunsiness Development and Marketing team presented the entire Great Circle collection to twenty five members of the prestigious online watch forum. In attendance was MLS All-Star Toronto FC and Ernst Benz fan Dwayne DeRosario. The second night, Ernst Benz partnered with L’ORO Jewellery to host a celebration event at the jeweler’s popular Vaughn Mills location (pictured above).

Wooden Watches

From left: Date Beige, Crono Brown, and Date Beige/Army. Digital Trends

Italian brand WeWood unveiled a line of watches made entirely from wood, Digital Trends reports. WeWood watches are all hypoallergenic, free of chemicals, and feature Miyota movement pieces. The watches come in several colors, all derived from specific wood types including beige Maple, black Ebony, brown Red Wing Celtis, and army green Guaiaco. Al watches are priced at $119. For every watch purchased, the company will plant a tree in North America.