They say that fine things in life get better as they age. And a timeless classic like a Rolex watch is no exception.
An ex-military man came to an antique roadshow, expecting to fetch about $1,500 for his old Rolex watch. He was in for a big surprise.
Peter Planes, an appraiser for Antiques Roadshow, chitchatted with the elderly guest to find out how he got the 1960 GMT Master Model Rolex.
Before the man left Germany where he was stationed in 1960, he said: “My Sergeant recommended it before I came back to the States - buy a Rolex watch.”
“He thought that was the best watch ever made and he said 'make sure you get one before you go home' and this is the one I liked.”
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The man hasn’t heard of Rolex before, and just took his army sergeant’s advice to buy one. He bought the watch for $120, which was admittedly a lot of money back then. It was also more than his month’s salary of $100.
Well, it turned out his superior had great wisdom.
Planes proceeded to rattle off “special things” about the watch, its box, and papers.
One of the good things about the antique watch is that it’s the first GMT Master ever made by Rolex.
“I'm very pleased to tell you that this watch today at auction is a very, very collectible watch,” Planes said. “Just the watch on its own merit would be worth today between $35-45,000.... but...”
But what? The man was already flustered with the value, and the suspense is killing him!
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“This watch is worth much more. Because you saved the box and all the paperwork for it. Easily, today, it's $65-75,000. Probably more than a month's pay in the military right now,” Planes continued.
The man was absolutely stunned with the value, rendering him speechless for a few minutes. “If you would have told me $1,500 I would have been happy,” he said.
It was a sweet return for this man’s 55-year-old investment and keepsake. He might as well say that Rolex is forever.
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