A watch that belonged to Winston Churchill is up for auction.
The timepiece was originally gifted to the former Prime Minister by Herbert Henry Asquith, another former leader of His Majesty’s Government.
Made by renowned watchmaker Sir John Bennett, the minute-repeating full hunter pocket watch is estimated to fetch over £30,000.
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The watch is gold with black numerals.
It also has a crest on the front and an engraving inside, which reads: “To Winston with gratitude Herbert Henry Asquith Xmas 1905.”
Asquith reportedly gave Churchill the gift for ‘crossing the floor’ from the Conservatives to the Liberals in May 1904, as reported by Need To Know.
This contributed to the Liberal party subsequently gaining power – winning a landslide victory in the 1906 General Election.
Asquith became Chancellor of the Exchequer while Churchill, having won his seat as a Liberal MP, was appointed as Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Asquith became Prime Minister a few years later, in 1908, is widely credited for playing a prominent role in Churchill’s career by promoting him to the Cabinet as President of the Board of Trade.
The pair became good friends and often hosted dinner parties together.
Documents included in the sale for the watch confirm that it was purchased from Hennell Ltd. on 14 of October 1983 by the Rt. Hon. David Cole, 6th Earl of Enniskillen.
The London company was founded in 1736, and was frequented by European royalty, including Queen Victoria and King George V.
The watch auction takes place online on Thursday 23 May.
