York widow makes emotional appeal for return of her late husband’s missing watch
York opera singer Rebecca Newman has made an emotional appeal to help find a missing watch which belonged to her late husband Jay.
Jay Fewtrell died suddenly of an undiagnosed heart condition in August 2020 aged 38, leaving behind Rebecca and their son, who was almost three.
His most prized possession was this Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, which was an engagement present in 2010.
It was engraved with a phrase on the clasp, saying ‘Time flies but love is eternal’ in Latin.
Rebecca said: “We bought it from his friend, his best man, who wanted to get a Rolex instead. Jay always loved the watch as orange was his favourite colour.”
The watch has gone missing. Rebecca says she still has the box and papers, but no watch.
“I don’t know if it’s been lost or stolen, but it does not appear to be anywhere in the house or our vehicles.
“I’ve looked and looked, decluttered, sorted.
“Maybe I accidentally donated it inside a pocket, bag or shoe when I was sorting through some of his stuff in the pretty traumatic early days. I have no idea and It makes me very sad.
“This is my attempt to try to find it. The serial number has been partly blanked out in the official photo from Omega,” she told YorkMix.
“Jay wasn’t really into ‘stuff’. This is the only thing I have to pass onto our son. Jay used to say how he would give it to our son one day, maybe when he graduated uni or got married.
“The watch is so sentimental to us and our relationship. It came with us all over the country and the world for a decade. They are no longer made, so even harder to get hold of.
“If you think you have found the watch and want to check the serial number please contact Goldsmith’s in York, as they have been incredibly helpful with advice on how to track down this watch.
“It hasn’t been serviced or given to Omega for repairs, so far.
“If you have it, please return it. You can even drop it into a police station and mention this post on YorkMix or post it (insured and special delivery) to Goldsmiths in York.
“I don’t care why you have it or how you got it, I only care that my son has something of his daddy’s to keep one day.”