WRIST watches worth between £20 and £25 were stolen from a shop in Littlegate Street, St Ebbe's, during an overnight smash and grab on November 17, 1969.
In the morning, shop owner, Mr Eaton (pictured), put up a notice outside his store declaring: "Our goods must be cheap, they can't wait until we're open."
The thief (or thieves) hurled a brick through the window of the shop, but struck too early for a bigger haul.
Mr Eaton explained: "I went to London yesterday and bought £100 worth of watches. "They are in the safe and I was going to put them in the window today."
He was called from his bed at 2.30am by Oxford police who had launched an investigation.
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