A man’s family heirloom turned out to be worth thousands more than he initially thought, thanks to a surprising appraisal on Antiques Roadshow.
The guest, who had been gifted a Rolex watch by his uncle in 1975, was stunned to learn that his vintage timepiece, originally purchased in 1963, was valued at a remarkable $50,000.
A Priceless Gift
The Rolex GMT-Master was bought for approximately $300 from Tiffany’s in New York, as the guest recounted. “My uncle, who was a physician and frequently traveled to Amsterdam for work, gave me the watch just before I went to college. He noticed I didn’t have a watch and simply took it off his wrist and handed it to me,” the man explained.
Unwittingly Sitting on a Fortune
The guest revealed that he was unaware of the watch’s value until he encountered a jeweler on a flight. “I was puzzled when the jeweler mentioned my GMT-Master. I had no idea what he was talking about until he pointed out, ‘Oh, you’re wearing a Rolex.’”
The guest had worn the watch almost daily for the past 40 years and had recently attempted to have it serviced. A Rolex dealer advised him against it, explaining that servicing the watch would involve replacing the original face, which could significantly reduce its value.
Preserving Originality
The man chose to have the watch repaired by an independent shop instead. Peter Planes, the Antiques Roadshow host, commended his decision. “Rolex removes and keeps the old parts during servicing to prevent counterfeiting,” Planes noted. “Collectors value watches in their original condition. Had you refurbished it, its value would have dropped to around $10,000-$12,000.”
The guest’s Rolex, featuring a rare double branding with both the Rolex and Tiffany & Co. logos, remained in pristine condition. This unique feature contributed significantly to its high value.
A Surprising Appraisal
Planes confirmed the Rolex GMT-Master’s worth at $50,000 in today’s market. The guest was understandably astonished. “Good grief! That is absolutely stunning to me,” he responded, clearly thrilled by the revelation.
Antiques Roadshow continues to surprise viewers with extraordinary appraisals, proving that sometimes the most unassuming items can hold immense value.
