High Court prevents auction of Sir Edmund’s watch

Sir Edmund Hillary’s children today won an interim injunction in the High Court in Auckland, to prevent Lady June Hillary from auctioning off Hillary’s historic watch. Sir Edmund Hillary’s widow had planned to auction the historic watch through the Antiquorum auction house in Geneva, Switzerland.

The watch, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual, was gifted to him after he along with Tenzing Norgay conquered the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest in 1953. He used this watch in his trans-Antarctic Expedition.

“There have been a number of very significant items from the Ed Hillary collection that do belong to Sarah and me that have been disposed of inappropriately,” said Peter Hillary.

He and his sister said that they were sad that they needed the court to stop this auction. “Peter and Sarah are delighted the watches will not be sold but sad it had to happen this way,” said Mr Witten-Hannah, their lawyer. He said that all the family heirlooms would be returned to their country, New Zealand, though their ownership is still unresolved.

As per the terms of Sir Edmund’s will the watches belonged to the family. Lady June decided to auction them without taking the family in confidence.

The Ministry of Culture and Heritage has asked her to return one of the watches as per the Protected Objects Act. The watch enjoys a special protection under this act as it is the country’s heritage. This watch is worth $25000. The ministry is waiting for her response before deciding the future course of action.

Mr Hillary said, “June is giving away sentimental items which belong to the Hillary family without any sort of consultation … There is a genuine sadness involved… For June just to donate the items, which we then find out through the media, is inconsiderate and heartless.”