Antiques Road Show Features Man Who Bought Rolex Oyster Paul Newman For $345.97 In The Early 70s And Never Wore It

[gwells]

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/an-un ... s-roadshow

The most recent episode of Antiques Roadshow included a watch that may set the bar for what has been seen on the classic PBS series. Recently, the show traveled to Bonanzaville, in Fargo, North Dakota, and there were as usual some amazing finds – one woman brought in a Stickley sideboard which was purchased for $25 at a flea market in 1970, and was pleased to find out it was worth $3-5000. But you're not here for the furniture. Another guest showed up with a watch – and what a watch it turned out to be. A United States Air Force veteran, he brought an unworn Rolex Oyster Paul Newman ref. 6263 to the show to learn its value, and let's just say he was floored by what he discovered.

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[JBZ]

Neat. Looks like this doesn't actually air until the 27th.

[MDF]

Amazing! Such a cool watch.

[gwells]

yeah, i put a reminder on my phone to watch on Monday. I want to see the guy's reaction.

[AtomicTom]

That is must see TV Greg ! ..Thanks so much for the heads up !

[BlueSky]

Got it set to record. It is a neat show.

[93 Turbo]

Great story, at least he didn't have to stick it up where the sun don't shine to get it home.

[BlueSky]

Really neat story. I won't spoil it, but his reaction is worth a view.

[Steve O.]

Just saw it. Safe to say he was surprised...

[gwells]

you can stream the episode here online. skip to about 44:30 if you just want to see the rolex.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/watch ... go-hour-1/

[DenverBuff]

So if you're this guy, what do you do? Me? My first call is Sotheby's - sell it to the highest bidder, give 'em a commission and cash out.

There's no way I'd wear it. I'd be scared to death I'd damage it. Keep it in the house? Right. My face is now all over the internet. They know where I live. I'd get robbed before Valentines Day. So, what, put it in a safe deposit box? Yeah, that's fun.

I dunno. It's one thing to own a nice, expensive watch. It's another to own a freaking museum piece that's worth almost a million bucks to insane collectors.

I'd sell. I'm sure the Roadshow people pulled him aside and gave him some tips.

[gwells]

sold. wearing it is an immediate $100k to $250k hit. i wouldn't even want to wear a watch that cost what the depreciation hit for wearing that one would be, let alone one worth that much.

i could sell that, take 5% or less of the net profit and buy a vintage watch that i would be comfortable wearing and that is still significantly more expensive than any watch i own.

i sure hope the roadshow people pulled him aside and helped him get some security on the way back to the bank to put it back in the safe deposit box.

[59yukon01]

Sold! Pay off mortgage...... retire to warmer climate.

[JBZ]

Given where I am in my life right now, I'd sell it for sure. Would pay for both kids' college.

He's older, and who knows whether he has any kids/grandkids. So I could see him selling it and saving the money or spending some of it on something he's always wanted to have or do. Or maybe he'll want to keep it to see if the value increases even further and then pass it down to his heirs.

The one thing I would never do is wear it.

[KidKeith]

I'd sell it for sure. I'd buy a 116500LN and have zero guilt.

I think this story is kind of odd for a coupe reasons. 1) this guy bought a really nice watch (one months pay at the time) and said he didn't want to wear it so he stuck it in a safe deposit box and left it. Who does that? It's an odd move. 2) How would simply wearing a watch devalue it 20-30% ? That seems very strange to me. If I buy a watch I wear the watch, but I guess that's not normal? It's all very odd to me.

[sierra11b]

If he never wore then why is the caseback sticker worn and crud can be seen inside the bracelet?

[JDC222]

If he never wore then why is the caseback sticker worn and crud can be seen inside the bracelet?

I think he bought it used, didn’t he?

[sierra11b]

If he never wore then why is the caseback sticker worn and crud can be seen inside the bracelet?

I think he bought it used, didn’t he?

I thought it was a PX purchase

[Chocodove]

If he never wore then why is the caseback sticker worn and crud can be seen inside the bracelet?

It's true, the sticker raises some questions (and pointed out on TRF as well). Maybe the bracelet crud is just "old age"? I dunno.