Reward after explorer's £40,000 watch is stolen
Mark Burton with photographs of the rare watch.

Mark Burton with photographs of the rare watch.

A REWARD has been offered for the return of a rare watch used in Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ unique expedition around the world on its polar axis.

The Rolex, estimated to be worth £40,000, was stolen from the house of photographer Mark Burton in St Mary’s Road, Weybridge.
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A number of other items were also taken, including jewellery and electrical equipment, after intruders forced open a side gate and the rear side door to gain entry.

Mr Burton, 43, however is most concerned about the watch, as it has sentimental value to his family.

He is offering a reward of £1,000 for its return and has put up posters in the area.

The victim is the son of the late explorer Charlie Burton, who, along with Sir Ranulph, became the first person to visit both the North and South poles by land, following the completion of the three year Transglobe Expedition in 1982.

After his father’s death in 2002, the watch was passed down to Mr Burton, and he hopes to be able to leave it to his own son, Charlie.

He is now worried that this will not be possible and has called on those responsible to return the item.

Describing the incident as a “shock to the system”, he says that he has contacted Rolex with the serial number of the timepiece to prevent it from being sold on.

He said: “It’s worth nothing to the people who took it, other than £200 down the pub.”

The watch, one of just three ever made, is a limited edition Explorer II model with a black dial. It was specially produced for the explorers on the expedition, and, despite travelling round the globe, is still in good working order.

Mr Burton is asking anyone who can help with the return of the watch to contact him on 07860 852714.

Anyone with any information on the burglary, which took place on September 14, in the afternoon, should ring Staines CID on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference A/07/23392 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.