BBC Antiques Roadshow guest 'not getting away with it' as true value of 'holy grail' unveiled

The Antiques Roadshow guest was blown away by the value of the Rolex watch
-Credit:BBC


An Antiques Roadshow expert was blown away by a watch he valued on tonight's show. The latest episode of the popular BBC programme took place at an antiques fair in Roundhay Park Leeds.

Fiona Bruce was back as host as people brought their items to valued by a range of experts. The episode ended when Richard Price cast his eye on a rare Rolex watch.

The expert was amazed to lay his eyes on the Sea Dweller Sub Mariner watch, which he described as the "double red". He added: "It's the holy grail for collectors of this."

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The guest explained he received the watch from his brother, who worked on Dubai drilling water wells in the 1900s. He said: "He came to visit. I said I needed to go into town and buy a new watch.

"He said, 'no you don't, you can have this one'. He took that off his wrist and gave it to me." The Rolex had been specifically built to be durable for his brother's job as a driller and had a number of high tech additions such as a helium valve.

The guest revealed he wore it everyday but then it broke. However, he insisted on keeping the original strap, which Richard branded a "sensible" move.

The Rolex watch was valued at a minimum of £35,000 on Antiques Roadshow
The Rolex watch was valued at a minimum of £35,000 on Antiques Roadshow -Credit:BBC

The expert pointed to the numbers " 1 72" on the original strap as a sign of high value as it showed it was made during the first quarter of 1972. However, he was disappointed when the guest revealed he no longer needed the watch.

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The guest said: "I don't wear it these days. It feels a little bit too heavy on my wrist. I wore it up until a few years ago, but who needs a watch these days. You've got a phone that tells you the time."

Richard scolded the guest as he shot back: "Hang on, everybody needs a watch. I'm not going to let you get away with that one." He proceeded to praise the condition of the Rolex, before he valued it at a minimum of £35,000.