A ROLEX watch bought by a sailor for £32 in 1967 is expected to fetch more than £10,000 at auction.

The Rolex Submariner was bought by a sailor serving on a ship in Singapore and goes under the hammer at Charterhouse in Sherborne next month.

"Our client bought the watch new for £32 10s in 1967 whilst serving as a Leading Aircrewman in the Fleet Air Arm, which he recalls was about two weeks wages" said Richard Bromell of Charterhouse.

"He travelled the world with the Navy with visits to Hong Kong, Australia, America and Singapore serving for just under 10 years."

The owner bought the Rolex Submariner from the NAAFI having watched James Bond in the film Dr No wear a similar Submariner. Many of his ship mates also bought watches, but only 10 Rolex Submariners were available from the NAAFI when he bought this with his friends settling for other watches such as the Bulova Accutron being particularly popular as it was new and the world’s first fully electronic watch.

Mr Bromell added: "Having kept in touch with shipmates he served with over the years, it became a bit of a joke that his Rolex carried on working, keeping perfect time, whilst others lost time or stopped altogether and were eventually relegated to a drawer.

"Moving forward to 2021 and the Rolex has had little use over the past few years. With the market for vintage Rolex and other prestigious watch brands remaining high the owner decided to part with his watch after 54 years as it is just too valuable for him to wear."

In its original Rolex green leather covered box with the guarantee, dated November 2 1967, the Rolex is estimated to sell for £10,000-12,000 at the Charterhouse auction on April 9.

More details are available by calling 01935 812277.