Rolex has joined explorers in conquering some of the planet’s most inhospitable regions. This Oyster Perpetual, for example, is heir to the 1953 model that was introduced after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and has continued to evolve ever since, providing greater robustness, legibility … and elegance, as this new iteration confirms. Water-resistant to 100 metres, the 36mm case — the same diameter as the original — is cut from Rolesor, Rolex’s signature combination of steel with yellow gold that extends along the supple, comfortable bracelet. Maximum legibility, even at night, is ensured by the Chromalight display of hour markers and hands that glow against the black lacquer dial. An in-house Calibre 3230 movement maintains remarkable precision of -2/+2 seconds a day throughout its 70 hours of power reserve; a performance guaranteed by Superlative Chronometer certification.