Royal watch set to fetch £60k

Published on Monday 28 December 2009 21:18

A POCKET watch belonging to Wallis Simpson – the woman for whom King Edward VIII gave up his throne – is expected to fetch £60,000 when it goes under the hammer.

The onyx Cartier pocket watch that was gifted to King Edward VIII is inscribed "Easter 12/4/36."

Edward abdicated on 11 December, 1936 so that he could marry the twice-divorced American. She died in 1986 and is buried next to her husband in Frogmore, Windsor, Berks.

The watch, belonging to a businessman from Corsham, near Chippenham, Wiltshire, is to be auctioned by Gardiner Houlgate Auctioneers on 25 March.