Nottinghamshire miner's rare 'holy grail' Rolex sells for £175k

A rare Rolex described as the "holy grail of vintage watches", once owned by a miner, has sold for £175,000.

The "exceptionally rare" Submariner 5512 was bought by a medical attendant at Shirebrook Colliery in Mansfield in 1964 for about £70.

It boasts a short-lived dial design, known as the 3-6-9, which was often replaced during servicing.

The original owner left the watch to his family who said they were in "a state of disbelief" over its value.

Auctioneer David Hare described it as "the holy grail of vintage watches".

"This really is a fantastic result for a watch which cost just £70 back in the early 1960s," he added,

"The family are naturally delighted as this was a very sentimental piece."

The original owner's son-in-law, who has not been named, said before the auction: "We're still in a state of disbelief about the potential value of this watch.

"I imagine you'd feel like this if you had a big win on the Premium Bonds."

The original owner was born in London but moved to Mansfield during World War Two to work in the mines as part of the Bevin Boys programme.

He stayed in the area but often travelled to London where he bought the watch for his 40th birthday. He died in 1995.

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