The $500 Explorer Homage That Somehow Gets a Free Pass

$500 Explorer homage—now that’s a phrase I’ve typed into Google more times than I’d care to admit. Homages in the watch world are a somewhat iffy topic. Watch enthusiasts have a love/hate relationship with homages. And depending on who you ask, cough, snobs, it’s most often hate. Try going into the Rolex Reddit forum and asking for their opinion on the Pagani Design “Submariner,” and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

But the Smiths Everest? Somehow, it’s the only explorer homage that gets a pass. A proper nod, even from the snobbiest of collectors. And if they do decide to hate? Well, I have a story that makes them question the mountaineering legitimacy of their Rolex Explorer.

Everest History: Smiths vs. Rolex

Here lies the tale as told around enthusiasts with even the slightest inclination towards the Rolex Explorer. In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first recorded humans to summit Mount Everest. While this is a monumental moment for the world, it is also a sacred moment for us, watch nerds. Why? Because two watches made that climb – allegedly.

One was a Rolex. The other? A Smiths.

The Rolex in question was the Reference 6098, a pre-Explorer with no 3-6-9 dial in sight. The Smiths, on the other hand, had no formal reference number but featured a silver dial with traditional Arabic numerals, a sub-seconds hand, and a case built by the British Dennison Watch Case Co.

Neither watch looked like the Explorer as we know it today, but both made it up the mountain.

Or did they?

No one knows for sure which watch was on Hillary’s wrist when he stepped onto the roof of the world. Some say it was a Smiths. Some say Rolex. Others argue that Norgay was rocking a Datejust (which feels like climbing Everest in a tux, but hey, maybe he liked the fluted bezel). Various conspiracies have surfaced, and it’s almost become somewhat of a horological folklore.

The truth is, we’ll probably never know.

But this fog of history is exactly what gives the Smiths Everest Explorer homage its strange credibility. It’s not just mimicking a design—it’s building on a myth. It feels like it belongs in the conversation, because in some way, it was there – the brand was there.

Smiths Everest Dimensions

Smith’s Resurrection, Welcome Timefactors

Smiths, the original British watchmaker, didn’t survive the Quartz Crisis of the ‘70s. The company stopped producing watches altogether. The Smiths you see today? That’s the work of Eddie Platts, founder of Timefactors, who resurrected the name and built a catalog of modern homages—including the Everest.

Timefactors’ Smiths Everest is a direct nod to the Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016, one of the most legendary Explorer references out there. That watch is borderline unicorn status now—expect to pay $20K–30K minimum.

The Everest, on the other hand? Just $450 USD.

Now, is it a perfect one-to-one? Not quite. The Everest feels more robust than vintage. The brushing is clean, the sapphire crystal slightly domed, the finishing far better than you’d expect at this price. But the soul of the 1016 is very much alive here: those classic Arabic numerals, the Mercedes handset, the restrained dial text, and that unmistakable field-watch simplicity.

An Explorer Homage That Stays True

For an Explorer Homage, the Smiths Everest doesn’t just skate by on aesthetics—it delivers a build that punches well above its price tag. And that’s no exaggeration.

Right out of the box, this thing feels reassuring. Solid. There’s a tightness in the tolerances that’s not always a given at this price point. The 36mm case, with its mix of brushed and polished surfaces, channels that vintage Oyster vibe without feeling too delicate. It’s a tool watch at heart and very much wears its rugged heritage on its sleeve.

While it’s not in the same tier as high-end microbrands like Christopher Ward or Monta, the Everest does outclass most offerings in the sub-$500 range. Compared to Seiko’s entry-level field watches, the Smiths feels sharper, cleaner, and more refined. No rough edges, no rattly bracelets, no wobbly crown action.

The drilled lugs are a thoughtful touch—practical and true to its inspiration, the Explorer Ref. 1016. They also make it incredibly easy to swap straps, which is exactly what you want from a versatile Explorer homage designed for everyday adventures.

Movement, Finishing & That Everest Caseback

Inside, the Smiths Everest runs on the Miyota 9039. It’s a no-date, high-beat, hacking and hand-winding movement—reliable and fuss-free. It’s not the kind of movement that’ll wow the spec sheet chasers, but it’s tough and dependable. And for an Explorer homage designed to be worn and used, that’s exactly what you want. Not to mention, it is incredibly affordable to maintain, and any watchmaker would be able to work on it.

The dial printing is crisp and legible. Lume is evenly applied and glows well enough for a quick glance in the dark (though don’t expect dive-watch performance). The sapphire crystal has a subtle dome to it, adding vintage charm without giving the watch too much height on the wrist.

Flip it over and you’ll find one of the Everest’s best little touches: an etched caseback featuring Mount Everest itself, with the Smiths logo in the center. It’s a small detail, but one that really connects the watch to its backstory—and the reason this Explorer homage has become so beloved in enthusiast circles.

Even the jubilee bracelet, which used to play second fiddle to the oyster-style option, has stepped up in recent iterations. It’s well-articulated, lightweight, and features screw links for straightforward sizing. The taper from 20mm to 16mm keeps things classy, and the signed clasp with three micro-adjust positions makes dialing in the fit a breeze, especially on smaller wrists.

Most Comfortable Explorer Homage?

Comfort-wise, this is Goldilocks territory—especially for smaller wrists. At 36mm wide and just 11.5mm thick (including the domed crystal), it disappears on the wrist in the best way possible. It’s a true daily driver, a go-anywhere, do-anything timepiece.

And let’s not ignore its greatest superpower: it’s a strap monster. With 20mm lugs and a minimalist black dial, the Everest looks killer on just about anything. Throw it on a gray NATO for a touch of field watch flair, or a blue leather strap for something a bit more refined. Personally? A black Artem NATO is where it lives on my wrist most days—it makes the cream-colored lume pop and leans into that rugged Explorer vibe.

For anyone looking for a versatile Explorer homage, this thing checks every box.

The Hype and The Heritage

Let’s be honest: part of the Smiths Everest’s allure is the story. But the hype doesn’t survive without substance, and the Everest brings it. Sure, there’s debate around how much of the original Smiths brand DNA really lives on. And yes, Timefactors has its fair share of critics.

But none of that changes the fact that this is a well-made, well-designed watch that nails the Explorer look without being a lazy copy. It honors the past while existing firmly in the present.

If you can get your hands on one (good luck with that, by the way), the Everest delivers an exceptional ownership experience—for a fraction of the price of the watch it pays tribute to.

Explorer Homage Done Right

There are countless Rolex Explorer homages watches out there, and most of them fade into obscurity. But the Smiths Everest has stuck around for a reason. It combines meaningful heritage, solid specs, versatile design, and enthusiast-approved execution into one extremely wearable package.

Is it perfect? No. Is it overhyped? Maybe a little. But is it the best Explorer homage on the market? Probably.

And sometimes, that’s enough.

Whether you’re a one-watch person or adding to a growing collection, the Smiths Everest will certainly earn its place on your wrist and in the story of modern tool watches.

Smiths Everest: Closing Thoughts

Aesthetics: It has the look of one of the rarest explorer variants in the market, albeit the lack of creativity from Smiths / Timefactors. The 1016 dial is flawless in my opinion.

Comfort: No complaints on my 6-inch wrists, whether it’s the size, slimness, or overall weight. The Smiths Everest is spot-on when it comes to comfort and wearability for smaller wrists.

Price: I’m going to be honest, $500 is a bargain, provided you can actually buy the damn watch. So good luck!

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