Nelson's watch set for a record

It is an artefact touched by the hand of history: treasured by Britain's greatest naval hero and worn by him at the moment of his glorious death.

Now Lord Nelson's gold pocket watch - bought from a shop in Charing Cross - is set to fetch up to £350,000 and establish a new record price for a Nelson memento.

Described by auctioneer Sotheby's as "the greatest Nelson relic in private hands", the watch is the star of a sale marking the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar.

It was loaned for 70 years to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich by the owner - a descendant.

The rare Joseph Emery lever escapement watch was one of the most sophisticated timepieces of the period.

The current record for a Nelson artefact is ?336,650 for his scimitar.

? Nelson's blood-stained uniform was purchased for the nation by Prince Albert in 1845 and is now principal exhibit at the National Maritime Museum. The lethal musket ball is on display at Windsor Castle.