RARE watches made for the Ministry of Defence during the Second World War are expected to fetch £50,000 at auction.
A collection of timepieces will go under the hammer at McTear’s Auctioneers in Glasgow in September.
All were made by the Swiss companies known as the “Dirty Dozen”– Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger Le Coultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor and Vertex – 12 manufacturers commissioned by the MoD during the Second World War to produce watches specifically for military use.
Drawn from private owners, most of the watches have serial numbers to identify the original wearer and symbols designating them as government property.
Highlights of the sale include a rare Grana stainless steel manual wind watch with Arabic numerals, which is expected to sell for up to £2500.
Bids are expected to be made by international collectors. Seeking more lots, Sarah Cotter, head of jewellery, watches and coins at the sale room, said: “We expect there to be interest from all over the world as these watches are highly sought after items with collectors across the globe hoping to add to their collections.
“Many people won’t realise they have an expensive item in their possession so we would urge people to have a look in their loft or cupboards for possible military watches.
“They are often overlooked as people because at first glance these watches may not look expensive or anything special.”
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