Sir Edmund Hillary's widow asked to return Rolex watch put up for auction

Wellington, Nov 12 (ANI): The New Zealand Government has asked the widow of Sir Edmund Hillary to return one of her late husband's watches she has put up for an auction - because of its historical importance.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual was presented to the mountaineer in 1953 after he conquered Mt Everest and is estimated to fetch 25,000 dollars at the auction.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage found that the watch had legal protection under the Protected Objects Act, and wrote to Lady Hillary informing her of the watch's status and asking it be returned, reports the New Zealand Herald.

The ministry is waiting for a response from her lawyers before deciding its next course of action, a spokeswoman said.

The watch is part of a collection of Sir Ed's watches that Lady Hillary had planned to sell in Geneva during the weekend. (ANI)