Business & Technology
Oxford: Rare watch sold for £40k after being saved from skip
Mallams Oxford Library Sale saw more than 500 rare and beautiful antiques go up for auction on Wednesday, May 13.
Among them was a rare Paul Ditisheim deck watch, a white metal, open-face watch with Guillaume balance and twin outer cases, which was estimated to sell for between £5,000 and £8,000.
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But it blew the auctioneers on the day, selling for more than four times the higher estimate at £40,000.
Adding to its allure, the watch was saved from destruction when the vendor’s father prevented it from being thrown in a skip, allowing it to be preserved as an antique.
Duncan, specialist and auctioneer at Mallams, said: “It has been a real joy to have in the saleroom, and what a relief it was rescued.
“Thank you to all who joined us- we thoroughly enjoyed the sale.”
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The watch dial is signed Paul Ditisheim, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Grand Prix Paris 1900, and has roman numerals and blued steel spade hands.
An engraving on its silver cuvette reads: “No. 36154 FIRST CLASS CERTIFICATE AT THE Neuchâtel Astronomical Observatory Paul Ditisheim, Manufacturer La Chaux-de-Fonds, THE HIGHEST RECORDS AT KEW, Teddington and Swiss Observatories.”
It also comes with a mahogany inner case with printed silk lining in the lid and an outer deck case, both with numbered ivory plaques.
John Lewis & Partners has closed its Blakelands centre as it focuses on its £800m digital and automation investment at its Magna Park 3 facility, also in Milton Keynes.
The site, which has been part of the network for more than 40 years, has supported its wider UK logistic operations across the retailers department stores and Waitrose supermarkets.
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Sarah Payne, head of operations, said it was a “bittersweet day” for the business when confirming the closure on LinkedIn.
This includes improving how customers discover, browse and buy products across channels, such as AI platforms like Google Gemini and ChatGPT.
As part of this, it also launched a 90-day pilot on TikTok Shop this year, focusing on beauty and gifting products.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue has confirmed they rushed to the Harwell Morrisons at Curie Avenue today (Tuesday, May 26) amid reports of a fire at around midday.
Crews from Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage attended with the blaze focused on a storage building next to the supermarket.
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They used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire and fans to ventilate the smoke, with an investigation into the cause having started.
As spokesperson said: “Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called today at 11:57am, sending fire engines from Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage fire stations to Morrisons supermarket, Curie Avenue, Harwell.
“Crews used hose reel jets to extinguish a fire in a storage building next to the supermarket.
“They also used fans to ventilate the building of smoke.
“The cause of the fire is being investigated.”
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A spokesperson for Morrisons supermarket also confirmed that the fire had happened and that the supermarket had “temporarily shut”.
They said: “The store is temporarily closed, whilst the fire brigade complete the necessary checks.”
This comes as temperatures are due to reach 32 degrees Celsius in the hottest part of the day, in an unprecedented May heatwave which is breaking records in Oxfordshire.
Modella Capital bought and rebranded WHSmith’s high street arm to TG Jones last year.
Now, it wants to save Flying Tiger Copenhagen in a deal which would add around 900 stores, including 80 in the UK, to the firm’s growing retail empire, according to The Times.
Flying Tiger, which has a branch in Oxford’s Magdalen Street, sells affordable Scandi‑style homeware, stationery, toys and quirky gifts.
The company reported a turnover of more than £600m in 2024 but it underwent a restructure in 2025, injecting £160m.
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Its thought the deal will expand Modella’s already established reach in 30 European markets, with franchise partners in Israel, Philippines, and Vietnam.
It would mark the latest retail saving acquisition, adding to its string of high street stores, including Claire’s Hobbycraft, and The Original Factory Shop.
However, the private equity firm has been under scrutiny after Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop fell into administration, leading to job loses.
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This comes as there are now fears that as many as 60 Post Offices within TG Jones stores could be closed, including the Oxford store in Cornmarket Street.
However, the firm says these changes restructuring changes are needed to save the high street businesses.
Flying Tiger was founded in the 19080s when its founders began selling umbrellas at a flea market.
Its first retail store opened in Copenhagen in 1995.
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