Just An Old Watch
Air Force veteran, David, heard that the touring TV series Antique Roadshow was coming to town, so he took the opportunity to get his old wrist-watch evaluated. Little did he know that his 45-year-old Rolex had a value that, when he heard it at first, literally knocked him off his feet. How is it that David had no idea his watch was worth such a staggering amount of money?
Just An Old Watch
Getting Drafted
Now, you would be forgiven if you thought that this guy must be rolling around in cash and living the life with a new Rolex on his wrist every other week. Not David though, his number came up when they were drafting young men 18-25 years old for the Vietnam War. They handed out tickets like a lotto, then they broadcasted a number and all the values below that number had to go off to learn to fight.
Getting Drafted
No Choice In The Matter
Choices are slim when you get drafted, David had to figure out which branch of the military he could join before the general enlistment that followed January made him infantryman. The US Air Force was an option for him and he chose to serve in the munitions division, specifically in explosive ordnance disposal. What an exciting and nerve-racking career choice.
No Choice In The Matter
Life Of A Soldier
Dangerous duties performed by David and his team included landmine detection and disposal, cleaning up dangerous stockpiles, and disposing of faulty ammunition. In January of 2020, the Rolex he bought while serving in Vietnam, was displayed on Antiques Roadshow where he said, “There were lots of innocents injured by unexploded ordnance, the hazard is still there today.”
Life Of A Soldier
Beloved Timepiece
David noticed the flashing Rolexes of the pilots, back in ‘73, while on the numerous continental flights he took during a two year period stationed in Thailand. Many people have a fondness for quality timepieces and at the time David counted himself among that number. He had developed a particular liking for the Rolex.
Beloved Timepiece
A Pricey Watch
He sadly had to lay that idea to rest when he met the price tag of a Rolex, his army salary was not going to get him one. With his two-year stint complete he was posted off to another base where he trained in scuba diving. There it turned out that divers favor Rolex for its waterproof, pressure safe features, making it an ideal watch for diving.
A Pricey Watch
A Must-Have
David was convinced now that a Rolex was the timekeeper he wanted to have on his wrist. He found one for $345.97 with a 10% discount which he thought was reasonable, considering that it was just shy of a whole month’s salary for him then. He placed his order at the on-base retail store in November of ‘74 and didn’t receive it until mid-April 1975, five-month-long slow mail.
A Must Have
Too Fancy To Wear
The Rolex Oyster Cosmograph, it had at last arrived and David was a little mesmerized as he sat on his bunk, staring at the excellent craftsmanship. He just couldn’t bring himself to put it on and go for a dive, he had decided that it was just too fancy to mess up with everyday activities. He placed it into a safety deposit box and there it waited for nearly forty years.
Too Fancy To Wear
Hidden Away
According to David, the watch only left its safe little space about three times and then only to be admired and not to be worn. It was then returned to storage and forgotten about for another decade or two. This meant that David had what the appraiser referred to as “new old stock” which is when something old had never been used and stored really well.
Hidden Away
Validation
Even better, David had kept every piece of the original documentation, so he was quite sure it would be worth a few bucks. The experts at the Antiques Roadshow have been appraising some interesting and sometimes quite random items for various people in the US for over two decades.
Validation
The Roadshow
The original Antiques Roadshow began its life not as the popular American TV series, but as a BBC documentary touring the English West Country. They never expected, back in May 1977, that the first episode they filmed would be met with such great success that the format and function of the show have hardly changed at all, to this day.
The Roadshow
Popular Show
In the UK, the show has been running for more than forty seasons now and its popularity has spawned numerous other versions, and some spin-offs as well. Some of these included Antiques Roadshow: The Next Generation was a children’s special which aired around the December holidays from 1991-2006 and the short-lived 2005 offshoot 20th Century Roadshow.
Popular Show
British Roadshow
Turns out the British version was not the only one to inspire further adaptations and versions of the show. Antiques Roadshow FYI which briefly aired in 2005 and revisited some of the popular items from the previous years on the main series, it was also more focused on the deeper aspects of antique collecting.
British Roadshow
Interesting Antique’s
It’s those undeniable gems that some people bring onto the show that has made it so popular, every viewer loves the thrill of seeing something amazing appear on basically every show. Millions upon millions of dollars and pounds worth of valuables, from both sides of the pond, have shown up on the various shows. For example, a genuine sketch by English sculptor Antony Gormley -of his giant sculpture Angel of the North- was estimated by appraisers on the show to be worth nearly $1.3 million.
Interesting Antiques
Rivera’s 1904 Piece
In 2012 someone brought in an original piece from 1904 by Diego Rivera, husband of the famous Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo. Its worth was estimated on the show to be around the $1 million region. Although only a few years after that show aired, Rivera’s work became much more popular and a reappraisal was requested by the owner. The second estimation brought the value of this particular artwork to a whopping $2.2 million.
Riveras 1904 Piece
Chinese Teacup Gems
An episode from 2011 had someone presenting a collection of Chinese teacups that were centuries old and carved from rhino horn. They were estimated to be worth as much as $1.5 million. Also, a large variety of half-million-dollar paintings have been appraised on the show. Many an American artist’s works have been featured, including ones by Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth.
Chinese Teacup Gems
Everything Valuable And Rare
It has to be noted though, the show attracts far more than just the famous and super rare. PBS presents the US version of the show and the less familiar cities and towns of America have turned out some excellent and sometimes really strange items too. South Dakota’s Rapid City, Biloxi in Mississippi, and Chattanooga, Tennessee are amongst many that have all yielded some fantastic antiques and collectibles.
Everything Valuable And Rare
David’s Rolex
West Fargo, North Dakota is the home of Bonanzaville. In January 2020 the show and crew visited the 40 historical and modern buildings of the museum complex to film another exciting and fun-filled episode. Little did they know that it is here that they would meet David and his Rolex.
Davids Rolex
Peter Planes
Only two months since Antiques Roadshow uploaded the video of the appraisal and it has garnered 7.8 million views. Peter Planes, the appraiser, asked David a couple of questions about the watch, how he got it, etcetera, basically the backstory. Peter carefully asked for all the info and weighed up all the aspects.
Peter Planes
Rare Watch Knowledge
Peter’s extensive knowledge of old and rare watches is then, in essence, compared to every detail of the watch, like the fact that David had kept the original warranty page and even the brochure and receipts. The warranty card alone is worth $2,000 because it’s still blank and can, therefore, add value to any Rolex from that era.
Rare Watch Knowledge
Something Special
Shifting his focus onto the watch itself, Peter points out that this Rolex Cosmograph is an Oyster variant. This model was most notably characterized by its side-mounted screw-down buttons. Peter carefully takes in every detail of the watch, explaining to the audience and David, as he goes.
Something Special
Only Two Styles
The Oyster was produced in two styles, one did not sport the screw-down buttons, thereby neatly making it waterproof. This feature of the variant of the Cosmograph made the style very popular among outdoor-type people, especially military personnel.
Only Two Styles
1971
Planes next pointed out that the watch’s condition was seriously impressive. It looked brand new, in fact. Even the foil sticker, located on the base plate of the watch, still clearly showed its reference number, 6263. If the watch had been worn at, Peter says, all the numbers would have begun to fade long ago. Another authentication was the date stamp, which he pointed out, clearly showing the production date of 1971.
1971
Collectors Piece
Many, many collectors absolutely adore this model, claims Planes. It is also known as the Daytona Rolex. Thanks, in no small part, to Hollywood actor Paul Newman who wore this model of Rolex in the film Winning from 1969. Newman, inspired and ignited by the movie, went on to compete as a professional racing driver. The Oyster was a part of the star’s iconic look.
Collectors Piece
Extremely Popular Timekeeper
Travis Andrews, a reporter from The Washington Post, wrote an article in 2017 that clarified the popularity of this particular watch for many people. “The mechanical watch radiated coolness, much like its owner did. It was a constant companion to Newman’s left wrist in magazine shoots, paparazzi photos and while he was speeding around in his race cars,” Andrews wrote. The actual watch that Newman wore, sold at auction in 2017 for a staggeringly high $17.8 million.
Extremely Popular Timekeeper
Worn By Newman
Peter goes on to explain to David that models like the one that was so famously worn by Newman, on average, auction off for up to $200,000. To this news David hardly gave any response, he just nodded his head. His reaction to Peter’s next statement, however, was a totally different one to what anyone had expected from this calm-looking guy.
Worn By Newman
A Valuable Watch
Because the Rolex that David had was this particular Oyster variant, it was even more valuable than the models like Paul Newman’s watch. “They did that for an extremely short period of time,” Peter Planes said. “We refer to that as a mark-2 dial. And this particular model, being marked Oyster, is extremely rare. A watch like this at auction is worth about $400,000.” Peter could barely lift his head in time to see what had happened to David.
A Valuable Watch
David In Disbelief
It was like a scene from some full-color version of a Charlie Chaplin movie. David appeared to be fainting, falling to the ground on his back and suddenly throwing his legs into the air, he waved them about a bit and then started to get himself back up again. A very concerned passer-by, and Peter Planes, assumed that he was really falling and came over to help.
David In Disbelief
A Very Rare Rolex
David was fine and quickly got back up, with a smile that left a mixed look of disbelief and excitement on his face. Peter then turns to David and says “Don’t fall. I’m not done yet.” Peter had chosen his words carefully when he said that a watch ‘like’ this one would be worth $400k.
A Very Rare Rolex
Extraordinary Condition
Because of the remarkable condition of David’s watch, it was worth more. “It’s a new old stock watch, and no wear on it, the original foil sticker still on the back of it, and… we have this complete documentation,” Peter said. “… maybe one of the very few in the whole world that was still never worn.” He then says to David that the price would probably go closer to $600,000, or even $700k.
Extraordinary Condition
Serious Offer
David just stood there, looking at Peter with absolute disbelief on his face, the next short phrase that came from him made that clear. His mind was a bit blown right there and then. Planes glared David square in the eye and stated that he is very serious about this appraisal. David smiled and then nodded.
Serious Offer
A Fabulous Find
“It’s an absolutely fabulous find,” Planes exclaimed. “It’s one of the rarest Paul Newman models, and in this condition, I don’t think there’s a better one in the world. I can’t thank you enough for bringing me one of the greatest watches to ever be seen on Antiques Roadshow.”
A Fabulous Find
Wearing Down The Value
Peter made a point of letting David know that if he now did go out and wear it, it would lose a significant amount of its value. When The Washington Post later spoke with Peter about this, he said, “He [David] has saved it all these years, he may be saving it some more.”
Wearing Down The Value
A Memorable Reaction
David’s reaction is a particularly memorable one for Planes and that’s hardly a surprise but it’s also because David’s Rolex has been the single most expensive watch that Peter has ever evaluated on the show. Though not the most pricey ever featured, a timepiece that is today worth somewhere between 2 and 3 million dollars holds that title.
A Memorable Reaction
David Goes Viral
David’s video on Antiques Roadshow’s Youtube channel has gone totally viral, with nearly 8 million views in 2 weeks. The general consensus in the comments to the video is that of positive congratulations and more than one comment on the retirement upgrade he just landed has had us nodding in agreement with big smiles on our faces.
A Memorable Reaction
Defusing Mines
Quoting praise from another writer, “The man [David] spent his time in service defusing mines and unexploded ordnance,” they wrote. “I could not think of a more deserving person to have this sort of discovery. Hats off! Happy for you and everyone you have had a positive effect on.”
Defusing Mines
Some Disagree
Not everybody online agrees with the appraisal done by Peter Planes. Among the comments are, “The watch has obviously been worn.” “There are many scuffs on the band and a light scratch on the front. How is it being called never-worn, new old stock?” It didn’t take long for a couple more people to also voice their agreement of the disagreements.
Some Disagree
Negative Opinions
Someone also added, “The sticker and clasp show at least a year of frequent wear, so you can’t call it new old stock/no wear like this appraiser does. Those stickers don’t get like that from sitting in a locked box.” Another user stated, “total amateur hour by the ‘appraiser.’”
Negative Opinions
Well-Preserved
In February of 2020 Planes’ valuation was confirmed by Paul Botros to Forbes. “The watch appears exceptionally well-preserved and complete, and I’m in agreement with the appraisal,” Botros said. “It’s a watch that Phillips would be thrilled to offer at auction.” In December 2019, in fact, a similar watch sold for $425,000.
Well Preserved
A Veterans’ Investment
This has got to be the best investment David had ever made in his life. If a worn watch got $400k and more, is it any surprise he reacted the way he did? He paid a mere $345.97 for this watch and now he was looking at a serious return. Now, of course, for those out there who hadn’t heard of the show before, they certainly have become acquainted with it now and for those who are fans, this was another great moment to remember.
A Veterans Investment