This army veteran collapsed in disbelief after learning the true value of his Rolex Oyster Cosmograph.
The owner of the watch, David, said he bought the Daytona 40 years ago because he’d heard Rolex was a good brand to wear scuba diving.
Somehow, he managed to buy it for just $345.
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When David heard how much Rolex watches could go for, he decided against wearing it scuba diving and instead locked it away for safe keeping.
It sat locked inside that box, all but forgotten, for four long decades.
When David finally took the Rolex Oyster Cosmograph to get valued, both he and the valuer were knocked sideways.
“This particular model, being marked Oyster, is extremely extremely rare,” the valuer said.
“A watch like this at auction is worth about $400,000.”
It was at this point that David collapsed to the ground in a show of shock.
But unbeknownst to him, the real shock was still to come.
“Don’t fall, I’m not done yet. I said a watch like yours,” the valuer said.
He went on to explain that due to the mint condition of the Rolex Oyster Cosmograph and the fact it came with its complete documentation, this particular timepiece was not in fact worth $400,000.
“It’s maybe one of the very few in the world that’s never been worn,” he said.
The valuer then turned to the army veteran and delivered the good news.
He told him the rare Rolex would likely fetch between $500,000 and $700,000 at auction today.
Speechless up until now, David says “you’ve got to be kidding me”.
The valuer assured him he was not kidding.
“[It’s] an absolutely fabulous find, 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,” he said.
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“I can’t thank you enough for bringing me one of the greatest watches to ever [be seen] on Antiques Roadshow.”
Still in shock, David manages to mutter “unbelievable” before being advised against wearing the watch if he ever wants to sell it for that kind of money.
