A RARE diamond and sapphire studded watch, one of only 10 in the world, was among items stolen in an armed raid on a luxury farmhouse.

Police today appealed to jewellers to look out for the £38,000 gent's watch if it is offered to them for sale.

The watch was among thousands of pounds worth of property stolen by four masked raiders who tied up two men in their sixties and threatened them with a gun in their home at Billinge End Road, Blackburn, on Thursday evening. It is a Shoppard Gent's bracelet wrist watch and the case is made of 18 carat gold and is studded with 24 brilliant cut diamonds and 12 full cut blue sapphires.

It has an automatic movement and the day and date are both displayed on its white face.

The watch has a brick-type bracelet made of 18 carat yellow and white gold studded with 270 brilliant cut diamonds.

Detective Inspector Tony Harling said: "This is obviously a striking piece which may be offered for sale to people in the jewellery fraternity.

"We are appealing to jewellers to look out for this watch. Also, if anybody spots someone wearing it then we would ask them to contact us immediately."

The masked raiders, who had Irish accents, also escaped with other jewellery items, antiques and cash from the remote house.

The two men who were tied up during the raid were said to be "severely traumatised" by the incident.

Anybody with information about the raid should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.

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