The following article first appeared as a footnote in the GAME CHANGERS print catalogue.
The Man
Having summited Everest twice before, including one climb without oxygen in 2016, Cory Richards, an American climber, mountaineer, explorer, and photographer, decided to undergo the treacherous ascent one more time in 2019. After a year of meticulous preparation, Richards and his climbing partner Esteban Mena attempted to summit Everest via the extremely treacherous North-East Ridge, approaching from Tibet. Richards is well-known for his raw and uncensored approach to climbing and the quietly exquisite media documentation of his climbs. A death-defying winter climb of Gasherbrum II (GII), the thirteenth-highest mountain in the world at 8,035 meters above sea level, saw Richards become the first American to summit GII and document it in a documentary named Cold (2011). Richards and his climbing partners Simone Moro and Denis Urubko decided to attempt GII during the winter, an almost unheard-of feat because of intensely adverse weather conditions, and were all three partially buried during an avalanche that occurred during their descent. Richards continues to climb and speak to the public regarding his experiences as an explorer.
The Watch
For this third attempt at Everest, Richards partnered with Vacheron Constantin to create a watch that could accompany him through one of the most grueling and dangerous climbing expeditions. Richards wanted a wristwatch that could track the time on Everest, as well as back at home in the United States, as well as withstand the elements associated with forging a new path to Everest. Housed in a robust 41 mm titanium case, this Overseas Dual-Time Prototype was designed specifically for Richards, and features tantalum reinforcements beneath its bezel and for its crown guards.
A true “one-of-one” timepiece, once you turn the watch over, a custom 22K gold winding rotor is etched with one of Richards’ own images of Everest emerging over the plains of Tibet. The dark grey dial has a “grained” finish that looks almost frosted, with 18K blackened white gold dial accents, and an orange second time zone hand for enhanced legibility.
The watch comes accompanied by the Ventile® cotton strap that Richards himself wore on Everest, as well as an additional rubber strap. The present lot is a rare opportunity for the connoisseur to obtain an absolutely unique prototype watch worn on Everest, created by one of the world’s most respected Swiss manufacturers.
The Charity
This Overseas Dual-Time Prototype is being sold to benefit the National Geographic Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to pushing the boundaries of exploration and generating solutions for a healthy and more sustainable future. Cory Richards, in collaboration with Vacheron Constantin, has chosen to support a National Geographic Society project that focuses on education and cultural preservation. Richards has photographed 11 stories for National Geographic Magazine and is deeply committed to extending financial and educational opportunities to the communities that have carried him through his career.