An Antiques Roadshow guest was left gobsmacked after her family heirloom doubled in value thanks to its extraordinary history. During a previous episode of the BBC hit show, the specialists visited Hutton-in-the-Forest, Cumbria, where they provided valuations on numerous treasures.
Expert Ben Wright stunned by prisoner-of-war Rolex story
Not long into the program, expert Ben Wright was taken aback when a visitor shared the fascinating backstory of an exquisite gold Rolex her father acquired while serving during wartime. Following their conversation about the timepiece's provenance, the owner was equally astonished when Ben disclosed the projected worth of her cherished family keepsake.
Welcoming the visitor and introducing the watch to viewers, Ben stated: "Now I see the great many Rolex watches on the Antiques Roadshow. Most of them have a fairly ordinary history to them, but I happen to know there is a little more interesting history to this watch."
Guest recounts father's capture and watch order from prison camp
The guest began: "My father was captured in June 1940, and he was in the 51st Highland Division, and they were captured and had to march miles and miles across France, Belgium, Holland. Finally, they reached the camp, I think they were moved around quite a lot, but when they were captured, all the watches were taken from them by the Germans.
"What interests me so much is this watch was ordered by my father in 1941 direct to Switzerland, Rolex Switzerland, where it was delivered to him in the prison camp. I do not understand how the Germans could let them have the watches, and I believe that a lot of other prisoners ordered similar watches because it was an incredible morale booster for them."
Visibly taken aback by the guest's remarkable account, Ben responded: "It's the most remarkable story, I have never ever heard this story before. I have never heard that you could order a Rolex from Switzerland via the Red Cross as I understand it, whilst under guard, isn't that extraordinary.
"The morale in the camp was very important, but to allow them mechanical things is extraordinary, and I had no idea this was allowed because physically, you could make something out of this watch."
Watch parts possibly used in Great Escape compasses
The guest went on: "They did, I think they made compasses out of the bits because, in the great escape, I'm sure the man who organised the great escape was in a different camp. It was two years later than my father's watch, I'm sure they used the bits to make compasses from it."
Ben remarked: "You have here your father's prisoner of war camp documents, and astonishingly we have a picture of him if you like being entered into the prison war camp looking like a normal young man. All be it extremely tired from marching halfway across the continent of Europe and then a picture right at the end of him here having had a gruelling time in for what was three years?"
The guest disclosed her father spent five years detained in the camp, to which Ben responded: "There is an astonishing difference. The other thing that is extraordinary is that Rolex sent this watch, they had no payment for it, and they took it on trust that he would pay his bill at the end of the war like any good British gentleman.
Value doubles from £2,500-£3,000 to £5,000 minimum
"It's what's called Rolex bubble back, so termed because the back of the watch is shaped as a bubble and the back is steel, and the front is rose gold. It's a terrific story I mean, it really is a terrific story, at auction without the story it will be worth between £2500 and £3000, but with the story, it has to double in price so it must be worth a minimum of £5000!"
Taken aback, the guest could only respond: "Goodness!" as Ben continued: "I wouldn't be at all surprised with the full story and such remarkable documentation. I wouldn't be surprised if it made considerably more. But I know you wouldn't sell it and thank you so much for bringing it along because it really is a wonderful story."
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
