Antiques Roadshow guest gasps 'really' as he's told value of Rolex not worn for 50 years
Antiques Roadshow expert Richard Price was left gobsmacked at the value of a man's Rolex watch, which he hasn't worn since a horror accident 50 years ago
An Antiques Roadshow star was left stunned by the value of a watch he hadn't worn in 50 years. The popular BBC show saw the experts visit Swanage Pier in Dorset.
Specialist Richard Price met with a guest who showed him a Rolex watch. Beforehand, the man told presenter Fiona Bruce that he bought the watch himself because he needed something "strong, rugged".
Richard revealed that the man's watch had a special feature the "red sub" which is highly sought after by collectors. The man shared that he bought the watch in 1971 but stopped wearing it in 1974.
He explained: "I used to do a lot of skydiving and I got into the habit of wearing the watch on the outside of my jumpsuit."
READ MORE... Death in Paradise icon's awkward meeting with GMB star sparked 'injunction fear' [LATEST]
He remembered jumping from the plane and raising his arms, only to be pulled back towards the aircraft by his watch. When Richard asked if he thought the watch had snagged on part of the plane, the man replied: "I'm sure it did," He confessed that he chose not to wear the watch after the frightening incident because the strap was damaged.
"I just didn't bother. I don't really know why I didn't. It just went into a cupboard and it's stayed there ever since," he told the expert.
Richard exclaimed that the watch was in "remarkable" condition, despite missing a jewel on the front. The man had purchased it for £174.50.
Don't miss...
BBC branded 'unacceptable' by Corrie star after an actress is rejected for AI [LATEST]
BBC cuts hours worth of shows in 2024 after beloved drama axed [LATEST]
BBC Breakfast branded 'boring' as viewers rage over 'puerile' coverage [LATEST]
"How many zeros do we add to make it £17,000? " Richard asked. He then confirmed this was the current value of the watch.
"Really? " the man uttered, raising his eyebrows at his family. "Are your family all happy do you think? " they laughed in response.
"Well it's their inheritance, not mine," the man chuckled. Richard joked: "Enjoy it. If you don't want it I know somebody who would," gesturing towards himself.
Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays at 8pm on BBC1.