October 27 at 11am
Who would have thought that this unassuming trench watch would have such a remarkable history?
Lt. Col. Hignett commanded a top secret intelligence and communication regiment during World War II called “Phantom”, taking part in operations in North Africa and Northern Europe alongside the Hollywood actor David Niven. We believe that Hignett is to the immediate right of Churchill in the lead photograph, inspecting his troops alongside other senior officers behind them.
Gifted by King Edward VIII (then Prince of Wales) for Hignett’s service as his Equerry, we can forgive the few cracks to the enamel on this timepiece; after all it does have an extraordinary history. Made in 1912, the inscription to the back of the watch reads “Y.R.H” with a representation of the Prince of Wales feathers, and to the cuvette the name “J.D HIGNETT, 10th Hussars”.
In tribute to its previous owner, the watch has come out from under the radar with an estimate of £200-300 and will be auctioned in The Watch Sale as lot 484 at Fellows on the 27th October.
View the full catalogue for this auction online now at www.fellows.co.uk and sign up to bid.
