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Vietnam Veteran Collapses On Antiques Roadshow After Being Told How Much His Rolex Is Worth
When he saw the current value of the $345 watch he purchased from a base exchange in 1974, one Air Force veteran literally passed out.
During the Vietnam War, the veteran—referred to on the episode as “David”—was assigned to Thailand. His draft number was 7, thus instead of being drafted into the Army, he joined the Air Force and became an explosives ordnance disposal airman.
“Antiques Roadshow” appraiser Peter Planes had a bomb to drop on the veteran: His watch is currently worth over $700,000. It’s a good thing David was part of the bomb squad.
David told Planes that during his time flying on Air America and Continental Airlines from 1973 to 1975, he observed that the pilots frequently wore Rolex watches. After that, he developed an interest in scuba diving and discovered that Rolex watches are thought to be the best for divers, he added.
For David, that was the end of it. For $345.97, which was over a month’s income in 1974 and around $1,275 in today’s currency, he bought one for himself.
It turned out to be a wise purchase.
David decided the luxury watch was “really too nice to take down in the salty water.”
For the following forty-five years, he kept it in a secure deposit box instead of utilizing it for diving or anything else. The veteran just brought it to the Bonanzaville USA historical museum complex in West Fargo, North Dakota, for the “Antiques Roadshow” stop or to appreciate it.
The model watch that “David” had held for so long was described by planes as being worth approximately $400,000.
The former airman’s legs were clearly seen on the edge of the screen when he fell backward in disbelief at the revelation. However, there was more.
“You OK?” Planes asked over the laughs of the camera crew and onlookers. “Don’t fall. I’m not done yet.”
In addition to his BX ticket, David also saved the original brochure and any warranty documentation that came with the watch. It is all collectible, which raises the watch’s worth.
The appraiser from Palm Beach, Florida, informed David that the Oyster Cosmograph Rolex he had been keeping so carefully for all these years is quite unusual, especially since it has never been worn. The planes expressed gratitude to David for presenting him with “one of the greatest watches to ever see on ‘Antiques Roadshow.'”
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