LONDON, June 20: In a remarkable twist of fate, a British farmer, James Steele, 95, has been reunited with his Rolex watch half a century after it vanished on his Shropshire farm in England. The timepiece, purchased shortly after Steele's 21st birthday in 1950, was believed lost forever when it disappeared during his work on the farm about 20 years later.

Recalling the incident, Steele recounted his futile search efforts, mentioning a peculiar lead involving a cow nearby. "The cow could have eaten it with a mouthful of grass, the vet said," he told the BBC.

However, hope arose when Steele's son granted permission to treasure hunter Liam King to use a metal detector on the property in search of old coins. To everyone's astonishment, the Rolex resurfaced five decades later, albeit with a green tint on its face.

Despite missing half its bracelet, likely having disintegrated over time, the watch remarkably avoided rusting. Although it no longer functions, Steele expressed his joy at having the timepiece back, considering it a cherished keepsake.

Reflecting on the unlikely reunion, Steele remarked, "I was quite pleased because I never thought I would see the watch again. But I have got it now." While he has no plans to repair the watch due to the associated costs, its return marks a heartwarming conclusion to a half-century-old mystery on the farm.

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