Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Monaco, Jul 19, 2022

LOT 205

ROLEX
REF. 114060, DIVER’S, SELF-WINDING, CENTRE-SECONDS, DATE, "OYSTER" BRACELET; "SUBMARINER", MIKE HORN'S EXPEDITION; STAINLESS STEEL

EUR 20,000 - 40,000

USD 21,100 - 42,200 / HKD 166,000 - 332,000 / CHF 20,200 - 40,300

Sold: EUR 45,500

An historical, very fine and unique, stainless steel, self-winding, diver’s wristwatch, water-resistant (1 000 ft = 300 m.) with screwed case-back, black colour dial with centre-seconds and date of the month; black ceramic bezel, globally acknowledged as the world’s greatest modern-day explorer.

Case-back engraved “Mike Horn / Makalu 8481 m / May 17, 2014”.


Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched

Movement: 1*

As new

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Brand Rolex, Geneva

Model "Submariner"

Reference 114060

Year circa 2014

Case No. W3466902

Material stainless steel

Bracelet stainless steel Rolex "Oyster" bracelet with deployant clasp

Diameter 40.3 mm. (bezel)

Length 170 mm. (approx.)

Height 48 mm.

Width 42.8 mm.

Weight 151.2 gr. (approx.)

Signature dial, case and movement

Notes

Although it is now associated with the notion of luxury, Rolex has primarily distinguished itself by its production of “tool-watches” intended for professionals, explorers, travellers or sportsman. A few names come easily to mind: from Mrs. Mercedes Gleitz and her historic 1927 swim, to the legendary contemporary mountaineer Reinhold Messner, to Cousteau taking a Rolex watch to the bottom of the Mariana Trench (hanging outside the Trieste bathyscaphe), to Sir Hillary and the conquest of Mount Everest.

This Rolex Submariner Ref. 114060 comes with a certificate, in French, stating, it is one of the two models offered to Fred Roux and Mike Horn:

“Cette Submariner 114060 fait partie des deux Submariner ayant fait partie de l’expédition de Mike Horn en 2014 du mont Makalu qui culmine à 8 481 mètres. Mr Laurent Reiss a acheté deux montres: la W3466902 et la G862945 au magasin Yves Jacot S.A. le 2 avril 2014 et les a offerts à Mike Horn et Fred Roux. Ils ont donc grimper ensemble avec ces deux montres au poignet. Une de ces deux montres a été vendue aux enchères en 2015 pour la somme de 46 500 francs suisses. Cette montre, vue son histoire, fait partie des Rolex mythiques ayant monté, au poignet d’aventuriers hors normes, une des montagnes les plus dur à gravir au monde. Nous certifions qu’il s’agit bien de l’un des deux exemplaires.”

According to the certificate, it would seem this watch entered the legend of Rolex exploits by reaching the summit of Mount Makalu during Mike Horn and Fred Roux’s expedition. On May 17, 2014, the two Swiss climbed to the top of Makalu, between Nepal and Tibet. When all the other members of the expedition turned back, they pushed on without oxygen, ropes or Sherpa to reach the 8 481-metre summit, the fifth highest peak in the world, lost in the Himalayas. Since 1954, only 206 successful ascents have been recorded, but also 22 fatalities.

Provenance

Mike Horn's expedition