Winston Churchill’s prized gold purse sells for three times its estimated price at auction

A GOLD pocket watch once owned by Sir Winston Churchill has sold for £95,000 – three times its estimated value.

The 18-carat watch was a gift from former Prime Minister Herbert Asquith in 1905.

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He wanted to thank Churchill for defecting from the Conservatives to the Liberals in 1904 and supporting social reforms.

He had Churchill’s first coat of arms engraved and the message: “To Winston with gratitude HH Asquith Christmas 1905”.

It was bought second-hand in 1983 for £3,000 as a 65th birthday present for the Earl of Enniskillen, but had been stored in a drawer since 1997.

A British private collector beat out fierce competition from American bidders.

Dawsons Auctioneers of Maidenhead, Berks said: “It’s an exciting result for an exceptional item.”

“There are certain moments in life when we feel truly connected to history and having the opportunity to delve deeply into Sir Winston Churchill’s past, both politically and personally, has been a privilege.

“Having a minute repeater pocket watch bearing the coat of arms of Sir Winston Churchill, believed to be a gift from another former Prime Minister, HH Asquith, in 1905, is nothing short of surreal.

“It was his first coat of arms, without the additional titles of his wartime accolades.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to trace whether Churchill kept it for the rest of his life or whether he gave it to someone else during his lifetime.

“The pocket watch had been in the Enniskillen family for over 40 years but had sat in a drawer for decades and they felt the time was right to find it a new home.”

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