Rare Rolex goes on sale

A rare Rolex watch that is one of only five of its kind made by the Swiss company is going on sale.

The 1950 timepiece, which charts the lunar month as well as the conventional calendar, has an estimated price of £70,000.

The watch is due to be sold at the first National Fine Art and Antiques Fair at the National Exhibition Centre in the West Midlands.

The five watches were the first to show the day, date and phases of the moon on a "black star" dial, in keeping with Rolex's tradition of designing timepieces for mariners.

Paul Meyer, of Hertfordshire-based Beech Ridge Antiques, which is selling the watch, said: "It is a beautiful, stunning-looking model.

"I have had so many calls from people already asking to buy it, but I have said it is going on sale at 11am and not before."