Row over Hillary watches goes to court next month

Peter Hillary. Photo / Jason Dorday

A family row over a watch collection once owned by Sir Edmund Hillary is due in court next month.

The legendary mountaineer's son Peter said he had not talked to his stepmother, June, Lady Hillary, since he and his sister Sarah Hillary won a court injunction last year forcing Lady Hillary to withdraw the collection from a sale at a Swiss auction house.

The collection included a Rolex Oyster Perpetual presented to Sir Ed after he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay conquered Mt Everest in 1953.

Peter Hillary said he had not been able to arrange a meeting with Lady Hillary and unless that could be done, the future of the watches could be decided in a civil action in the High Court at Auckland. A hearing was scheduled for next month.

Mr Hillary said his father, who died in 2008, left the bulk of his estate to Lady Hillary. Other assets, including the watches and medals, were left to him and Sarah, Sir Ed's children by his first marriage.

Mr Hillary said he had no relationship with his stepmother.

Lady Hillary's lawyer Phil Ahern said the matter was before the court and both parties had agreed not to comment publicly.

- NZPA