Great Heights

Dawa Yangzum Sherpa Was On The Top Of The World, Literally And Figuratively, When She Achieved The Amazing Feat Of Climbing Mount Everest At The Age Of 21. She Subsequently Went On To Conquer Eight Of The Eight-thousanders (Mountains That Are More Than 8,000m In Height Above Sea Level). Today, The 32-year-old Is Determined To Create Opportunities For Like-minded Women In Mountaineering, With The Support Of The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative

- CAROLINE SUGANDA

In the universe of Rolex, the word “perpetual” is more than just a word on a dial. It was first used to describe Rolex’s patented self-winding movement, introduced by the brand in 1931 and patented, the Perpetual rotor consists of a half-moon-shaped oscillating weight that rotates, driven by the Earth’s gravity, whenever the wearer moves their wrist.

For Rolex, the word “perpetual” has become a part of the brand’s philosophy in its unceasing quest for excellence, to explore and to share human knowledge for a better world. In living up to the legacy of its founder Hans Wildorf, whose enduring philanthropy goes beyond watchmaking, the brand today is built upon a fundamental belief in unlimited human potential, in continuous improvement, in always pushing the boundaries and in taking the long-term view. And just like how Rolex’s watches are built to last, so too is the company’s commitment to the future seen — in its contributions to the generations now and to the generations to come.

These contributions come in many forms. While the company has long supported efforts to protect the environment, this engagement was given a huge boost when the Perpetual Planet Initiative was launched in 2019. Numerous partnerships have since been established, such as with Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen who do powerful work as conservation photographers, as well as with Coral Gardeners, a group who are painstakingly restoring coral reefs through coral nurseries and the process of transplanting. And the latest collaboration is with Rolex Testimonee Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, a 32-year-old Nepali mountaineer teaching women to climb.