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Incredibly rare watch with historic inscription sells for an eye-watering £76,000
The watch is believed to be linked to an esteemed prime minster's "bold move"
A RARE watch with a special place in history has sold for nearly four times its initial estimate following a "ferocious bidding war".
The pocket watch was once gifted to Sir Winston Churchill, coming inscribed with a special message to the wartime hero.
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The inner case of the timepiece reads: "To Winston with gratitude H. H. Asquith Xmas 1905."
The gift-giver was Herbert Henry Asquith, who is said to have presented the 18-carat gold item to Sir Winston following his defection from the Conservatives to the Liberal party in 1904.
Asquith became prime minister just a few years later in 1908 and held office until 1916, taking the reins into The Great War.
The watch last Thursday came under auction in Maidenhead, Berkshire, with initial estimates spanning £20,000 to £30,000.
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A "ferocious bidding war" erupted, sending its value into the stratosphere - it eventually sold to a private collector for £76,000.
The UK collector had to see off fierce competition from online interest from the US, Dawsons auctioneer Edward Langmead said.
He told BBC South: "It was an honour to be able to handle, research and auction this incredible pocket watch.
"It was a thrilling outcome for Dawsons and our client after what has been an exciting journey with an exceptional item from history."
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Churchill collectables continue to sell for eye-watering prices nearly 60 years on from the statesman's passing.
A famous - or infamous - portrait of the Second World War legend is expected to fetch up to £800,000 when it goes under the hammer in June.
I got new 2024 quarters in my change - an expert said the 'Washington's eye' error on the front makes it worth 250x more
The piece was painted in preparation for Churchill's 80th birthday by British artist Graham Sutherland.
The drama surrounding the portrait featured in Netflix hit The Crown, with Churchill's hatred of it central to an episode.
Earlier this year, Churchill's old false teeth were snapped up for a staggering £18,000.
In 2022, a suit worn by the former leader went for £7,440.
Dawsons items up for auction typically include jewellery, collectables, memorabilia, arts and antiques.
First and Second World War medals are up for sale by the auctioneer this Thursday, with the bidding battle to be run online.
How to spot valuable items
COMMENTS by Consumer Editor, Alice Grahns:
It’s easy to check if items in your attic are valuable.
As a first step, go on eBay to check what other similar pieces, if not the same, have sold for recently.
Simply search for your item, filter by “sold listings” and toggle by the highest value.
This will give you an idea of how much others are willing to pay for it.
The method can be used for everything ranging from rare coins and notes to stamps, old toys, books and vinyl records - just to mention a few examples.
For coins, online tools from change experts like Coin Hunter are also helpful to see how much it could be worth.
Plus, you can refer to Change Checker’s latest scarcity index update to see which coins are topping the charts.
For especially valuable items, you may want to enlist the help of experts or auction houses.
Do your research first though and be aware of any fees for evaluating your stuff.
As a rule of thumb, rarity and condition are key factors in determining the value of any item.
You’re never guaranteed to make a mint, however.
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