Cork jeweller Keanes has sold a rare watch for the staggering sum of €349,000.

The Patek Philippe Grand Complication Celestial watch, known as “The Celestial” for short, was sold to an Irish customer.

The watch is made from solid 18ct white gold and set with more than 5.5ct of diamonds. It has a sapphire-crystal case back and took 18 months to make.

Shop owner Patrick Keane said Patek Philippe is one of the world's most exclusive watch brands.

He told the Irish Examiner that the Swiss company boasts a long tradition of producing fine timepieces, adding that the Celestial watch is no exception.

“It is truly a beautiful piece of engineering, combining the beauty of diamonds with the precision mechanics of a grand complication movement, our customer was over the moon,” he said.