Running up Everest

I have always been fascinated by mountain climbing.

My own Seven Summits resume is limited to the relatively pedestrian end of the list, Kilimanjaro and Elbrus, but I have followed the sport for years with real affection. The history, the risk, the strange mix of suffering and clarity, the small human figures moving through impossible landscapes. It has always entranced me.

Today, American ultrarunner/high altitude speed climber Tyler Andrews reportedly set a new oxygen-assisted Everest speed record, climbing from Base Camp to the summit in 9 hours and 55 minutes. That felt like a fitting excuse to spend the evening with Rongbuk Glacier.

Rongbuk Glacier will probably become my first “proper” dial once the pad printing setup is fully running. It is a mountain watch in spirit, inspired by early expedition watches, 1924 to be specific, and by the long history of people making things meant to accompany them into difficult places.

Tonight’s prototype was not about finishing. It was about layout.

The center hole and small seconds hole are exactly where I want them, and they align well to the respective pinions. I did miss the 5 o’clock index on the small seconds dial, which is a good reminder that prototypes exist for a reason. Better to find that now than after paint, printing, and assembly.

Next up is steel cliché engraving. There is a lot to print here, and Rongbuk Glacier will only work if the graphics are crisp, repeatable, and properly aligned. I plan to assemble this first in a pilot-style case, eventually with an ETA 6498, though I will probably start with an ST3600… especially if the laser gets anywhere near the movement’s bridge.

And because this sent me back through old climbing photos, I added a few extra shots below: the line approaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, what remains of her glaciers, and one glorious moment above the clouds on a bluebird summit day on Elbrus.