Just in time to bid for rare collectable watches

IT may have been sat in a drawer in France for decades, not working, with scratched and cracked glass but a rare Rolex Submariner wristwatch, now at Plymouth Auction Rooms, is expected to sell for thousands at next week’s auction. The watch dating from 1965 was consigned by a seller in the Loire Valley, France via a Devon couple who knew about the popular Plymouth Watch Auctions.

It was acquired by the owner in the early 1980s, and at the time it had a replacement bracelet and was sent to France Rolex for a repair quote.

The work was not undertaken however, and the watch was returned in a neat wooden box with Rolex wax seals. This watch, model 5513, is a real collector’s item and three phone lines have already been booked for bidding on Wednesday evening.

Consultant valuer Richard Sheppard sai: “I was delighted to appraise this rare watch and its untouched tropic dial adds a real premium to its saleability”. Certain 1960s Rolex watches show discolouration on their dials due to sustained exposure to the sun, and minor flaws in the manufacturing process. This are now highly sought after by collectors. The 60-lot watch section includes several collectable Tudor (sister company to Rolex) watches, Omega watches and

Breitling. Lot 234 is a smart 2006 IWC Pilot Mark XV wristwatch, with a guide price of £1,500 to £1,800 whilst for the ladies is a well kept Rolex 2001 Oyster Perpetual Datejust wristwatch, complete with box and papers, valued at £2,000. The watch sale follows on from 200 lots of fine jewellery starting at 6pm on September 29. All lots can be viewed online. For details call 01752 254740 or visit plymouthauctions.co.uk

A rare Rolex Submariner wristwatch