Kicker - That’s one valuable watch

NICK EICHER, HOST: Have you ever seen Antiques Roadshow on PBS?

If you haven’t, it’s basically this: People who have things they think are valuable bring them to the show, and at the show appraisers tell what it’s worth, market value.

Reaction is the point of the show: Sometimes people are disappointed. Other times, they’re blown away, as in the case of David, a man who brought an old Rolex with him. 

David’s an Air Force veteran who paid just $350 back when he was still in the service.

DAVID: I ordered in November of 1974 through the base exchange.

When the order came in, David felt it was just too nice to wear, so he kept it in a safe-deposit box.

DAVID: It stayed there for 30 or 40 years. I only took it out like two or three times to look at it, and that was about the extent of it before I brought it here.

Inflation alone would quadruple the value, to about $1,400. But the appraiser told him the watch was something really special. It was like one that actor Paul Newman once wore in a movie. That one went for $200,000. Now at this point, David’s keeping his cool.

But when he learned his Rolex had a tiny inscription that made it twice what the movie star watch was worth, well, that’s when David literally hit the dirt.

ROADSHOW: [Laughs] You okay?

But there’s even more: Because this watch is in pristine condition with original paperwork, the old Rolex could fetch up to $700,000!

It’s The World and Everything in It.

(Photo/Antiques Roadshow, PBS)

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