I kept my old watch with its box – sixty years later I found out it’s worth more than a sports car
AN Antiques Roadshow guest was left ‘speechless’ after discovering that his old Rolex watch was a fortune.
The guest was featured in the American version of the BBC show, titled Appraisal.
Auctioneer Peter Planes was tasked with valuing a small watch box brought in by a guest on a recent Installment of the US version of the Antiques Roadshow.
During the episode, the man handed the expert a watch he bought in the 1960s – the GMT Master Model Rolex.
He explained to Peter that he purchased the watch over sixty years ago and never expected it to be worth more than $1,500, but he was in for a shock when he found out how it has appreciated in value.
After giving the guest some critical background information about the item, Peter then went on to provide a close-up inspection.
Peter revealed: “I’m very pleased to tell you that this watch today at auction is a very, very collectable watch.
“Just the watch on its own merit would be worth today between $35,000 and $45,000,”
He added: “But this watch is worth much more because you saved the box and all the paperwork for it.”
“Easily today, it’s $65,000(£51,480) to $75,000(£59,400) in the market. Probably more than a month’s pay in the military right now.”
The guest was left astounded as he couldn’t fathom that an old watch he barely cared for anymore was worth a huge amount of money at auction.
Responding to Peter, the man said: “Wow, I had no idea. I’m speechless. If you would have told me $1,500 – I would have been happy.”
Recently, on Antiques Roadshow, a guest made show history after he brought in a ‘beyond rare’ ring to be valued by expert Geoffrey Munn.
The expert was in awe of the unique jewellery ‘he had never seen before’ but valued it at the low price of £600 but could be worth a lot more at auction.
Nonetheless, the man walked off feeling content and grateful after learning of the amount.