A RARE vintage Rolex Submariner wristwatch has been sold for a world record £192,000, double its estimated value, at a Corsham auction rooms.

The wristwatch, which was showcased by specialist auctioneers Gardiner Houlgate, set a new world record for the model, and amazed the auctioneers.

The watch was identified by specialist David Hare who estimated it would sell for between £50-80,000, but to everyone’s surprise it dwarfed that sum when it came under the hammer last Wednesday (May 25).

“We are really surprised it surpassed that estimate by so much however the fact it did is really exciting,” said Mr Hare. “I could have never imagined it would get close to £200,000, that is mind-boggling. The watch is quite unique – we are still buzzing about it.

“What makes this vintage watch so rare is its because of its dial, known as the Explorer 3-6-9 gloss dial, which were only produced in very small numbers in the 1960s.”

The watch, which was put up for auction by an anonymous Wiltshire seller, had full family provenance and was offered for sale with the paper documents that came with it when it was bought in 1963 by a former RAF officer, who died over 20 years ago.

It came complete with the Rolex box, guarantee service booklet, Rolex service repair receipts, two vintage Rolex brochures and even a 1966 price list, as well as a small box sent from Rolex date marked 5-III-63.

“This watch was in a drawer for 20 years and now this happened so who knows, hopefully another one like this will come along soon,” said Mr Hare.