British Farmer's Rolex Watch Eaten by Cow in 1970 Recovered After 50 Years

In an incredible twist of fate, a Rolex wristwatch lost for half a century has been recovered by a metal detectorist. 

The remarkable story begins with 95-year-old James Steele, a lifelong dairy farmer from Morda, Oswestry, Shropshire, who lost his cherished Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King in the early 1970s.

Steele vividly recalls the day he misplaced his watch. It was a typical day on the farm, and he was tending to his herd in the cow field. 

At some point during his work, the watch slipped off his wrist and vanished. Despite his best efforts to locate it, he was unsuccessful. 

Steele speculated that one of his cows had inadvertently swallowed the timepiece, given the thorough searches he conducted across the field to no avail.

Fast forward to this month, when Liam King, a metal detectorist, made an unexpected discovery. Buried in the mud, the long-lost Rolex was finally unearthed. 

King’s find has been hailed as a stroke of extraordinary luck, bringing closure to a mystery that has lingered for decades.

The watch, though aged and weathered, has stood the test of time in its own unique way. 

While the face of the Rolex has turned green, it remarkably shows no signs of structural damage. 

Unfortunately, the watch is no longer functional, but its sentimental value to Mr. Steele far outweighs its practical use.

Reflecting on the discovery, Steele, who owns Treflach Hall, expressed his astonishment and joy. 

“I was quite pleased because I never thought I would see the watch again,” he shared. 

The recovery of the Rolex not only reconnects Steele with a piece of his past but also adds a fascinating chapter to the history of Treflach Hall.

This heartwarming tale of lost and found highlights the unpredictable and sometimes miraculous nature of life on a farm. 

It serves as a reminder of the enduring connections people have with their possessions, and how, even after decades, lost items can resurface in the most unexpected ways.