勞力士，精細及罕有，不銹鋼自動上弦腕錶，配中心秒針及蜂巢錶盤，“Explorer”，型號6350，1953年製

1953 was a notable year for many reasons, but from a horological perspective it can perhaps be remembered for two reasons: the first James Bond novel Casino Royale was published with the hero wearing a Rolex and in the non-fiction world, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first expedition to make a confirmed successful summit of Everest with at least one of them wearing a wristwatch with a coronet on the dial.

While the specifics of who wore what have been lost in history, what is certainly sure is that Rolex took the opportunity to capitalise on the event and release a new model, the Explorer. With its waterproof Oyster case and automatic movement, it was a watch that could be strapped to the wrist and depended upon under all environmental condition.

The present example is from the first series introduced after the successful expedition and proudly featuring the Explorer name on the dial, reference 6350. Perhaps the most appealing thing about this particular iteration is its attractive honeycomb dial which is presented here in exceptional condition.