A remarkable story has emerged from Shropshire, where farmer James Steele, 95, has been reunited with his long-lost Rolex watch, believed to have been consumed by a cow over five decades ago.
Mr. Steele recounted the incident from the early 1970s, when he noticed the bracelet of his Rolex had broken. He speculated that the watch might have been swallowed by a cow along with a mouthful of grass, as suggested by a veterinarian at the time.
In a twist of fate, a metal detectorist recently discovered the watch on Mr. Steele’s land and returned it to him at Treflach Hall in Morda, Oswestry.
Describing the find as “a stroke of luck” and “amazing” after so many years, Mr. Steele expressed his delight at being reunited with the watch. Although only half of the bracelet remains, he noted that the watch itself, while not functioning, has not rusted but has taken on a greenish hue.
Mr. Steele commended the metal detectorist for his honesty and suggested that there may be other valuables waiting to be found on his land. However, he acknowledged that repairing the watch would be costly and indicated that it would now serve as a cherished keepsake.
The heartwarming reunion serves as a reminder of the enduring allure and sentimental value of timepieces, even after decades have passed.
